Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

About four years ago I was charged with felony which was later dropped to misdemeanor and then later expunged. My question is I just recently got accepted to law school and I do not want to go three years of law school and pay all that money and then later find out I can not even practice law. I have completely changed my life since the incident. I am currently a active volunteer in my community and I am trying to give back as much as I can. The school is aware of my situation so I did not hide it from them. But I just want to know what else can I do and is there chance that I am might not be able to practice law and pass the good moral character.


Asked on 1/04/10, 9:39 am

3 Answers from Attorneys

David M. Wallin Law Offices OF David M. Wallin

Did you plead as a felony and it was later reduced or did you plead as a misdemeanor.? What was the charge ? Call me and we can talk further. I wish you well. David Wallin

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Answered on 1/09/10, 10:22 am
Philip Iadevaia Law Offices of Philip A. Iadevaia

Good moral character goes hand in hand with full disclosure. As long as you fully disclose your past digressions, the State Bar will be forgiving. If your charge and conviction were a felony, you may have to take steps to reduce it to a misdemeanor. If as you say it was expunged, you should continue to fully disclose it to the State Bar when you are required to. Good luck.

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Answered on 1/09/10, 12:18 pm
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

What you 'want' is not relevant. You are required to fully disclose the situation on your application to the law school and State Bar, which will remain sealed until and unless you pass the bar, at which time your application will be reviewed and a decision made whether to allow you to practice. Go talk now with your law school admissions counselor, who has seen all this before, and get an opinion and best guess what they think your chances are. You then can make your decision to risk the time and money on school.

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Answered on 1/11/10, 10:32 am


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