All law students must submit a moral character application to the State Bar. More past problems will not defeat your application. Most students get in trouble by concealing past problems, or describing them inaccurately.
1
Your Initial Application
The Moral Character Application is routine for most students. However, if you have some sort of past problem, the application will take longer to consider. You will probably be asked to explain things. And you will probably be called in for a personal interview.
So, complete the form carefully. If there are gaps, don’t ignore them; the Bar certainly won’t. And do keep a copy of everything you send the Bar, and everything the Bar sends you.
2
When to Hire Counsel
You should think about employing an attorney if you have a criminal conviction, suffered student discipline, have been involved in litigation, or have had to deal with a formal administrative proceeding.
Your story can be told well or badly, but it has to be told. We’ve done this before and we are pretty good at helping you find your voice. We help you tell your story to Bar Examiner Committee members who have heard it all and heard it often.
3
Criminal Convictions do not automatically disqualify you
We regularly advise and represent students with past criminal convictions. We help you describe how you got involved in the crime, what changes you have made to your life, what you have learned.
The more serious your crime, and the more recent, the more difficult it will be to gain admission.
4
Civil Suits and Administrative Matters
Yes, you have to disclose everything from that fraud trial to the small claims dispute over the fender bender. A DMV hearing or a contested unemployment insurance claim also count. These are rarely trouble in the moral character process, but they become a problem when you don’t report them, or if you report inaccurately.
There are some items that do not have to be reported, but only if there is a very specific legal basis to decline to report. Don’t guess.
5
Hidden Trap: Law School and College applications
The State Bar will sometimes check you Moral Character Application against your law school applications. f you did not disclose something on one that has to be reported on the MCA, then how you explain it is often more important that your earlier failure.
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