Prosecutor as a profession

The work of a prosecutor is diverse, independent and demanding handling of criminal matters, also involving international duties. Of all authorities handling a criminal matter, the role of the prosecutor is the most extensive. It reaches from the pre-trial investigation to the court proceedings. The primary duty of District Prosecutors working in the different Prosecution Districts is to ensure that a crime results in the punishment required by law.

A prosecutor is required to have a Masters degree in Law other than Master of International and Comparative Law. Many prosecutors also have court training.

If you are interested in working as a prosecutor, you can take courses dealing with the work of a prosecutor during your law studies or apply for an internship at National Prosecution Authority Finland. Not all educational institutions offer prosecution courses, but this is not an obstacle to getting an internship. Interest in prosecution is a sufficient motivation for your internship application. 

After a possible internship, most prosecutors begin their careers at National Prosecution Authority Finland as temporary junior prosecutors. All new prosecutors receive orientation for their work in a training programme organised by National Prosecution Authority Finland. 

Opportunity to specialise

Prosecutors have the opportunity to specialise in specific types of crime. Such areas of specialisation include

• particular offences against persons
• narcotics offences and organised crime
• financial crime.

In addition to these areas of specialisation, particular training is provided in, for example, the work of a head of the investigation in criminal matters involving the police, military crime matters, and war and terrorism crime matters. The Prosecutor General separately appoints specific prosecutors to handle these matters.