Warning
Info
Warning
Info
Simple English definitions for legal terms
J.D.
Read a random definition: Navy Department
A quick definition of J.D.:
Term: J.D.
Definition: J.D. stands for Juris Doctor, which is a professional degree that lawyers in the United States need to practice law. It takes three years of study after getting a Bachelor's degree in any subject. The J.D. covers many different subjects, and after completing it, a student must pass the bar exam to become a lawyer. In some states, students can skip law school and do an apprenticeship instead, but this is rare. In other countries, law students need to get an undergraduate degree in legal studies and then a shorter master's or doctorate degree to practice law.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: J.D. stands for Juris Doctor, which is a professional degree required to practice law in almost all states in the United States. It usually takes three years of study and covers a wide range of subjects set by the American Bar Association. The J.D. is a professional degree, which means that a student must have a Bachelor's degree in any subject before starting J.D. studies. To practice law, a student must complete their J.D. and pass the bar exam.
For example, if someone wants to become a lawyer in the United States, they must first obtain a Bachelor's degree in any subject and then complete a three-year J.D. program. After completing the J.D. program, they must pass the bar exam to practice law.
The J.D. degree is unique to the United States, as most other countries require law students to receive an undergraduate degree in legal studies and then a shorter master's or doctorate degree to practice most areas of law.