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Award-Winning Criminal Law Tutors

Sheila Kathryn

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Sheila Kathryn

Professional (JD, MD, DMD, etc)
Sheila's other Tutor Subjects
SSAT- Upper Level
SSAT- Middle Level
SSAT- Elementary Level
SSAT

I am a detail-oriented multi-tasker with experience implementing long-term planning academic strategies and managing client needs. I have earned multiple Ivy League degrees, including: a post-baccalaureate from Harvard University; a JD from Columbia University School of Law, where I also served as S...

Education

Dartmouth College

Bachelor

Columbia University

Professional (JD, MD, DMD, etc)

Courtenay

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Courtenay

JD
Courtenay's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Algebra
Elementary School Math
ISEE- Lower Level

History Major and Jewish Studies Minor from the University of Virginia. Juris Doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center. I enjoy working with students of all ages in a range of different subjects. I am committed to developing tailored learning plans designed to help each student achieve his o...

Education

University of Virginia-Main Campus

JD

John

Certified Tutor

15+ years

John

PHD, Law
John's other Tutor Subjects
College Algebra
Trigonometry
Pre-Calculus
Middle School Math

A PhD in Law gives John the doctrinal depth to break down criminal law concepts like mens rea, actus reus, and the Model Penal Code's approach to inchoate offenses. He walks through case analysis the way law professors expect it — spotting issues, applying rules, and building arguments that hold up ...

Education

Cornell Law School

PHD, Law

Yale University

Bachelor in Arts

Test Scores
SAT
1490
Terry

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Terry

Juris Doctor, Criminal Justice
Terry's other Tutor Subjects
Applied Mathematics
Pre-Algebra
Finite Mathematics
Competition Math

Terry earned his Juris Doctor with a concentration in Criminal Justice, which means criminal law isn't an abstract subject for him — it's the center of his legal training. He breaks down elements of offenses, mens rea distinctions, and Model Penal Code frameworks in ways that make case analysis clic...

Education

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Bachelor of Fine Arts, History

Seton Hall University

Juris Doctor, Criminal Justice

Test Scores
SAT
1470
Ryan

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Ryan

Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
Ryan's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
ISEE- Upper Level
ISEE- Middle Level

Ryan taught law and criminology as a university professor and holds a law degree from UConn, so criminal law concepts like mens rea, the Model Penal Code's culpability framework, and Fourth Amendment search doctrine are territory he's covered hundreds of times. He breaks down case analysis using IRA...

Education

Wesleyan University

Bachelor in Arts, Psychology

Yale University

graduate

Ryan

Certified Tutor

Ryan

Bachelor in Arts, History
Ryan's other Tutor Subjects
8th-12th Grade Writing
8th-12th Grade Reading
Calculus
Algebra

As a licensed and practicing attorney in Georgia, Ryan brings real courtroom familiarity to criminal law topics like statutory interpretation, burden of proof standards, and how criminal statutes interact with constitutional protections. His history degree also sharpens the kind of close textual ana...

Education

University of North Georgia

Bachelor in Arts, History

Andrew

Certified Tutor

Andrew

PHD, Law, Management
Andrew's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Trigonometry
Elementary Math

Holding a PhD in Law and Management alongside a molecular biology background, Andrew brings an unusual analytical rigor to criminal law — he treats statutory elements and mens rea distinctions the way a scientist treats variables, isolating each component of an offense before assembling the full pic...

Education

Boston University

PHD, Law, Management

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bachelors, Molecular Biology, Literature

Arianna

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Arianna

Bachelor of Science
Arianna's other Tutor Subjects
8th-12th Grade math
9th-12th Grade Writing
Pre-Algebra
Calculus

Arianna's neuroscience training gives her a distinctive angle on criminal law's trickiest territory — intent. Questions about mens rea, diminished capacity, and insanity defenses become more concrete when you understand the brain science behind volition and decision-making. She connects that scienti...

Education

Dartmouth College

Bachelor of Science

Michelle

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Michelle

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Michelle's other Tutor Subjects
Applied Mathematics
Statistics Graduate Level
Pre-Algebra
Statistics

Michelle's biology training — particularly in neuroscience and anatomy — gives her a useful foothold in criminal law topics where science and legal doctrine collide, like evaluating competency questions or understanding how forensic evidence gets introduced and challenged in court. She's not a law s...

Education

Centenary College of Louisiana

Bachelor of Science, Biology, General

Test Scores
SAT
1510
Kenna

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Kenna

Bachelor's
Kenna's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
SAT Reading
ACT English

Philosophy and psychology coursework gave Kenna a framework for thinking through the moral and behavioral questions that sit at the center of criminal law — why the law distinguishes levels of intent, how defenses like duress or necessity reflect competing ethical principles, and what culpability re...

Education

University

Bachelor's

Test Scores
SAT
1430
ACT
32

Meet Our Expert Tutors

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Jenna

Calculus Tutor • +39 Subjects

I am a recent Emory law school graduate. I am passionate about building students' confidence in all subjects, but I am most fulfilled when students can express themselves in new ways through language and writing.

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Kayla

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +53 Subjects

I am an Honors Student in my fourth year at Penn State. I have extensive tutoring experience with all ages of students ranging from elementary school through college. I love teaching but I study psychology and criminology at Penn State. I hope to one day work as a clinical psychologist who assists law enforcement agencies. I am an avid reader, I love learning, and I love sharing what I know with others. Hobbies: sports, books, reading, music, writing, art

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James

Calculus Tutor • +23 Subjects

I am interested in helping students prepare for the LSAT exam. As background, I am a practicing attorney in Atlanta, Georgia. I graduated from Northwestern University, with a degree in English Literature and Political Science, in 2009. I later graduated from Notre Dame Law School, magna cum laude and in the top ten percent of my class, in 2012. With regard to testing, I have previously scored a 1470 on the SAT (720 math, 750 verbal) and a 167 on the LSAT.

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Michael

Calculus Tutor • +26 Subjects

Hobbies: hiking, art, movies, books, writing, reading, music

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Gabrielle

Calculus Tutor • +39 Subjects

I am a recent law school graduate from Suffolk University Law School and hold a B.S. in Criminal Justice with a minor in business from Virginia Commonwealth University. Throughout high school, college, and law school, I have served as a coach, mentor, and teacher. I coached a swim team for many years, taught swim lessons to everyone from babies to adults, and served as a volunteer assistant with a middle school ESL department. As a law student, I had the opportunity to participate in a program where I taught Constitutional Law to high school juniors and seniors at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School in Cambridge, MA. I loved working with my class and watching how much they learned and grew throughout the year. One of my students was even selected to participate in a national moot court competition, and I had the privilege of coaching him through the competition and watching him compete in Washington, D.C. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about history, government, political science, and law. I also love reading and writing, and am very experienced in drafting all types of writing and papers, including personal statements and college/grad school essays. Enthusiastic, passionate, and goal-oriented are words used to describe me. I love working with students of all ages and welcome any challenge! Hobbies: books, music, yoga, art, reading, cooking, swimming, writing

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Trace

Calculus Tutor • +30 Subjects

I am a graduate of the Ohio State University, where I completed a BA summa cum laude in linguistics and Romance studies with specializations in French, Spanish, and Italian. I then completed a JD at Cornell University, where I used my language skills to focus on international and comparative law, as well as developing particular skills in criminal law and general trial advocacy. In addition, I spent a year in France at the Universit Paris 1 Panthon-Sorbonne, where I obtained an LLM (master of laws) in French, European, and international law. Outside of academia, I have worked as a document translator and an in-court interpreter in both French and Spanish and have worked directly with French- and Spanish-speaking clients in legal and financial settings. As an undergraduate student, I was French-language liaison to the Modern Languages and Cultures Undergraduate Council, in which position I oversaw tutoring sessions, organized conversation and culture hours, and represented the interests of Francophone students and French learners at Council meetings. In addition, I co-directed an outreach program to local elementary schools, teaching both French and Spanish to children in grades K-4. On the legal side, I have worked in immigration, contract, family, and criminal law, and have been a teaching assistant for legal courses and served as a graduate-student mentor for pre-law students.

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Peter

Calculus Tutor • +29 Subjects

I'm an experienced tutor and attorney with a passion for education and communication. I am a graduate of the University of Chicago and Columbia Law School. I have been tutoring elementary, middle, and high school students since before attending law school, and it remains my favorite job. I specialize in SAT Verbal, essay writing, Social Studies, History, and Civics and Government. I am patient, engaging, and thorough.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Students often find the distinction between actus reus and mens rea conceptually challenging, particularly when applying these elements to specific crimes where intent requirements vary significantly. Homicide law is another major stumbling block—understanding the nuances between murder, manslaughter, and negligent homicide, plus how jurisdiction and state-specific statutes create different definitions, requires careful analysis. Additionally, students frequently struggle with accomplice liability and the distinction between aiding and abetting versus conspiracy, as well as grasping when duress or necessity can serve as valid defenses. Personalized instruction helps break down these interconnected concepts and shows how they apply across different fact patterns.

Effective case analysis in Criminal Law requires a systematic framework: first identify the specific crime charged and its statutory elements, then separately analyze actus reus (the guilty act) and mens rea (the guilty mind) as distinct requirements. Next, consider applicable defenses and whether the defendant's conduct falls within any exception or justification. Finally, evaluate how jurisdiction and specific state statutes might alter the analysis—what constitutes second-degree murder in one state may be treated differently in another. A tutor can help you develop this structured approach and practice applying it consistently across diverse scenarios, which is essential for both exams and understanding how courts actually reason through criminal liability.

An excellent Criminal Law tutor should have formal legal education (typically a J.D. or equivalent) with demonstrated expertise in criminal procedure and substantive criminal law, ideally including practical experience such as prosecution, defense, or judicial clerkship work. Beyond credentials, they should excel at breaking down complex doctrinal concepts into clear frameworks, have the ability to construct and analyze realistic fact patterns, and understand how different jurisdictions approach the same issues. They should also be skilled at identifying gaps in your understanding—whether you're confusing elements of different crimes, misapplying defenses, or struggling with the policy rationales underlying criminal doctrine—and can tailor explanations to your learning style and academic level.

Criminal Law exams typically require you to spot issues quickly, apply multi-layered legal rules to complex fact patterns, and explain your reasoning clearly—skills that benefit enormously from personalized practice. A tutor can help you develop a reliable issue-spotting checklist, teach you how to organize your analysis so you don't miss elements or defenses, and provide targeted feedback on practice essays or multiple-choice questions. They can also help you understand the policy debates underlying Criminal Law doctrine (such as why strict liability exists for certain crimes or how the law balances deterrence with culpability), which deepens your grasp of the subject and helps you write more sophisticated exam answers.

A frequent misconception is that Criminal Law is primarily about memorizing statutes and definitions, when in reality the discipline emphasizes understanding how courts apply doctrinal principles to novel fact patterns. Students often assume that if someone commits a harmful act, they're automatically guilty—but Criminal Law requires both a guilty act and a guilty mind, and this requirement varies by crime. Another common error is treating all jurisdictions as identical; in reality, state criminal codes differ significantly, and understanding your specific jurisdiction's approach is crucial. Additionally, students sometimes conflate criminal procedure (arrest, search, trial process) with substantive criminal law (what conduct is illegal and why), which leads to confusion about relevant defenses and liability rules.

Criminal Law demands the ability to identify which legal rules apply to a given fact pattern, then apply those rules precisely—a skill that develops through repeated practice with immediate feedback. A tutor can work with you on increasingly complex scenarios, helping you recognize patterns (such as when duress might be relevant or how to distinguish between different forms of homicide) and teaching you to think like a criminal law analyst rather than just memorizing rules. They can also help you understand the interconnections between different doctrines—for example, how the concept of mens rea operates differently across theft, rape, and homicide—which builds the conceptual mastery needed for both exams and real-world legal analysis. This personalized approach accelerates your development far more effectively than passive review.

While Criminal Law is often taught as a first-year course, having a basic understanding of how courts interpret statutes and the difference between civil and criminal liability is helpful. Familiarity with fundamental legal concepts like burden of proof, the presumption of innocence, and the distinction between facts and law will make Criminal Law concepts easier to grasp. If you're studying Criminal Law at an advanced level (such as in a seminar or for bar exam preparation), prior exposure to Criminal Procedure and evidence rules is valuable, since defenses and liability rules often intersect with procedural protections. A tutor can quickly assess your foundational knowledge and fill any gaps before diving into substantive Criminal Law doctrine.

Criminal Law is a tested subject on most bar exams, and bar-level questions require not just knowledge of the Model Penal Code and common law rules, but the ability to quickly identify issues, apply multi-jurisdictional law, and explain your reasoning concisely under time pressure. A tutor can help you master the substantive law, teach you how to spot the less obvious issues that bar examiners test, and provide targeted practice with bar-style essays and multiple-choice questions. They can also help you understand how Criminal Law intersects with Criminal Procedure (a related tested subject), and ensure you're comfortable with the specific rules your jurisdiction emphasizes, since bar exams often include state-specific variations on federal crimes and defenses.

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