Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

An attorney is required to report criminal convictions to the State Bar, which reviews the attorney's record for possible discipline. The Bar would not take any action without a complete review and an opportunity for the attorney to have a hearing. Like anyone else, attorneys are entitled to due process of law before the government can take action against them.

Depending on the attorney's past record of discipline and the reasons for the license suspension, the Bar might take no action at all. The Bar would be more likely to impose discipline if the suspension was alcohol related, but could also allow the attorney to participate in a substance abuse problem.

The ABA, or American Bar Association, is a professional organization that also provides accreditation to law schools. It not a licensing body and has no authority over an attorney's ability to practice law in California. The State Bar of California licenses attorneys.