background question Forum

[boomboom1]

Do US law school applications or the ABA ( after you graduate law school and are applying for the bar) ask you if you have been convicted of a crime in Canada?

been wondering this for a long time? if anyone can answer this I would really appreciate it!

thanks!

BoomBoom

[A. Nony Mouse]

Usually any applications that ask if you've ever been convicted of a crime just ask if you've ever been convicted and don't limit the question to the US, so yes.

[boomboom1]

Hmm, so I guess another question would be, do law schools or the ABA do background checks that include Canada? Most likely going to apply to schools in Cali or Texas and same with the Bar. If I leave out a minor arrest in Canada (misdemeanor), will a law school or the ABA find out?

thanks!!

[nicknar]

Hmm, so I guess another question would be, do law schools or the ABA do background checks that include Canada? Most likely going to apply to schools in Cali or Texas and same with the Bar. If I leave out a minor arrest in Canada (misdemeanor), will a law school or the ABA find out?

thanks!!

Leaving out a minor arrest would likely be considered a significantly more egregious offense than the arrest itself. Seriously do not lie about this sort of thing.

[Nachoo2019]

Hmm, so I guess another question would be, do law schools or the ABA do background checks that include Canada? Most likely going to apply to schools in Cali or Texas and same with the Bar. If I leave out a minor arrest in Canada (misdemeanor), will a law school or the ABA find out?

thanks!!

If it is a misdemeanor arrest just disclose. Disclosing is TCR because they literally do not care about some misdemeanor.

[JazzOne]

Hmm, so I guess another question would be, do law schools or the ABA do background checks that include Canada? Most likely going to apply to schools in Cali or Texas and same with the Bar. If I leave out a minor arrest in Canada (misdemeanor), will a law school or the ABA find out?

thanks!!

Leaving out a minor arrest would likely be considered a significantly more egregious offense than the arrest itself. Seriously do not lie about this sort of thing.

I do some work advising clients about professional licensure and appealing character and fitness disqualifications. I completely agree with nicknar. For most of my clients, dishonesty with the bar is a bigger problem than the underlying incident. Disclose.