Crown Attorney / Prosecutor
Represent the public interest in court - a meaningful and respected career in the Canadian justice system.
Crown Attorney / Prosecutor Salary in Canada
Crown Attorney / Prosecutors in Canada earn about $75,000 at entry level and around $160,000 in senior roles.
- Entry level: $75,000
- Senior level: $160,000
Crown attorney salaries vary by province. Federal prosecutors earn at the higher end.
About the Career
Crown attorney positions are competitive but stable - government legal roles offer strong job security.
Job Outlook
Stable demand. Crown attorney positions are competitive but stable - government legal roles offer strong job security.
How to Get There
- Any 3-4 yr undergrad + 3-yr JD + Bar admission + experience as defence or general counsel
- Time to career: 7-9 years post-Grade 12
Degrees That Lead Here
- Law (JD) – 3.7+ GPA and 160+ LSAT for top schools
- Criminology – high 70s to high 80s
- Political Science – high 70s to high 80s
- Psychology – mid to high 80s
Key Skills
- Courtroom Advocacy
- Case Preparation
- Evidence Analysis
- Ethical Judgment
- Communication with Victims & Witnesses
Typical Employers
- Provincial prosecution services
- Federal Public Prosecution Service
- Municipal by-law offices
- Law enforcement agencies
High School Roadmap
- Join debate team. Volunteer with community legal aid if available.
- Continue debate. Take sociology or law electives if available.
- Research law schools with strong criminal law clinics. Aim for 88%+ average.
- Apply to undergrad programs that feed well into law school.
Top Universities for This Path
- University of Toronto – Toronto, ON
- Queen's University – Kingston, ON
- Western University – London, ON
- McGill University – Montreal, QC
- University of Ottawa – Ottawa, ON
Insider Tips
- Criminal law clinics in law school are the best way to gain prosecution experience before articling.
- Ottawa law school (uOttawa) has particularly strong connections to federal prosecution services.
- Many Crown attorneys begin as defence lawyers or in general practice before moving to prosecution.