Legal Question in Legal Ethics in California

Re: Does the state allow a person to practice law with juvenile conviction?

I know a person who admitted to being convicted of credit card fraud and forgery and was still admitted to practice law in CA. The committee of bar examiners and those that review your moral character application are reasonable people for the most part.

The nature of the crimes will be relevant. The things you may have done since then to illustrate rehabilitation will be important. The more time that has passed, the better.

It is also possible that you won't be required to disclose everything. Call the State Bar in San Francisco and speak to someone for some guidance. They won't be able to make any promises, of course, but they may be able to give you a better understanding of your chances.

Regards,

Ben

Re: Does the state allow a person to practice law with juvenile conviction?

not all criminal convictions will automatically bar someone who is otherwise qualified from getting a law license. The convictions are disclosed in the moral character process and then the state bar makes a decision. The party can appeal a negative ruling to the bar administrative process and then may be able to go further in cour t if authorized by law.