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I am a current 1L at a middle T14 school. About a year and a half ago I was pulled over for a minor traffic violation and got a DWI. I ended up pleading to it with a suspended-imposition of sentence meaning I paid a fine, did some community service, and after two years of unsupervised probation, if nothing else happens, then it gets taken off my record. I obviously know that I will have to disclose this to the bar as well when the time comes, that I may have to have a C+F hearing, etc.

My biggest worry about this all though that keeps me up at night is how this is going to limit my job opportunities. So I was wondering if anyone had any real knowledge or personal experience that could maybe either help me worry less or at least set me straight that it's out of the question. So, in general, does the past DUI from before law school put me out of the running for things like:

-Clerkships
-Gov't jobs
-Firm jobs
-Anything else?

If so, does it just hurt my chances or completely knock me out? It was really just a stupid mistake that I would never do again, of course. I just want to know how much this is going to haunt me and hold me down along the road. (Please save the pontificating and criticisms. I've heard them all already)

No, you'll probably be fine. Just make sure you disclose entirely and don't try to hide it. DUIs are all too common among law students and lawyers today. Make damn sure you don't get any other tickets from here on out.

I know several classmates who've gotten a DUI and they turned out fine (worked in biglaw, clerked, federal and state agencies). They were not even called by C&F for an interview or anything. Of course, it is impossible to generalize about this type of thing, as each candidate is different.

What about a misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia? Only thing I've gotten in trOuble for with the law and it was nearly 3 years ago....I haven't had so much as a parking ticket since then


Edit: I'm not OP

You're definitely not out of the running for biglaw and government jobs--though I can't speak for clerkships.

I know people in both biglaw and government sectors (well 3Ls with offers for post-grad) that have gotten a DUI. I'm 99% sure that that was the only blemish on their record though.

The thing keeping you up at night should be getting the top grades necessary to make it to the stage where employers will be scrutinizing your past criminal history.

Anonymous User wrote:What about a misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia? Only thing I've gotten in trOuble for with the law and it was nearly 3 years ago....I haven't had so much as a parking ticket since then


Edit: I'm not OP

I don't know anyone with that experience.

It is my understanding though that the longer ago the incident occurred, the better it is for you, because you can talk sincerely about how you were stupid back then and are smart now (to put it coarsely). It would be hard to describe how you're a changed person and whatnot if you were caught with a dime bag a month before you're applying to C&F, haha.

Anonymous User wrote:What about a misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia? Only thing I've gotten in trOuble for with the law and it was nearly 3 years ago....I haven't had so much as a parking ticket since then


Edit: I'm not OP

had a class b misdemeanor for possession of marijuana...got it expunged. unlike law schools, the only firms that did ask, specifically state DO NOT DISCLOSE if you've had it expunged. so, wipe it from your record and you'll be fine. i disclosed it to schools and will again on the bar if they ask for expunged charges, but otherwise no problems to report - 2L SA position at V10.

Had a friend with a felony who clerked and then went on to a federal government position. Probably the exception rather than the rule, but it happens.