Legal Question in Criminal Law in California
I HAVE A TWO FELONYS. THE JUDGE DISMISSED ONE AND ONE MORE IS GOING TO BE dISSMISSED AFTER PROBATION IS DONE. I PLAN TO GET IT SEALED BUT MY QUESTION IS CAN I STILL BECOmE A LAWYER?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Felonies don't get sealed. If they are wobblers, they can be reduced to misdemeanors and expunged. If they are not wobblers, you can only seek relief by a pardon from the Governor. But they are not "sealed."
Notwithstanding the fact that you may obtain expungement or dismissal, they must be disclosed on a moral character application to the State Bar when applying for admission. Whether or not they will allow you to become a lawyer depends on the Moral Character Committee's determination of whether you have become rehabilitated, and the seriousnes of the charges.
All arrests and convictions must be fully disclosed to government licensing agencies, like the State Bar, so you need to contact both the State Bar and your law school of interest to discuss whether you should even bother to apply for law school.
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