Arrest Addendum--Last/Worst Part of Application Forum

[anonymous124]

Anyone have time to critique this?

On July 7, 2008 I was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated, Minor in Possesion of Alcohol and Open Container of Alcohol. The arrest resulted when I was pulled over for speeding on Interstate 10 in X County, (state) .The officer felt I was impaired at the scene. All charges were dismissed by the state, without the benefit of pretrial diversion, deferred adjudication or plea-agreement. A ruling was issued not to suspend my drivers license. The expungment process has been initiated and should be completed by 2012.

This incident and the lengthy, expensive legal process which ensued was entirely avoidable and humiliating for both myself and my family. I knew better than to drink underage and bring an open beer back to my residence. A night spent in jail was well deserved and a mistake I do not intend on ever repeating. As someone who hopes to practice law one day I feel this unforgettable ordeal will allow me to know exactly how frightening and burdensome an experience with the judicial process can be. This should allow me to relate to my clients on an invaluable level by realizing that even people of sound character can have a poor lapse in judgment and wind up needing legal representation.
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Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding this disclosure.

[LawSchoolChampion]

Sounds a bit positive, and I don't know if it should be.

You fucked up big. Possession and DUI are two completely separate offenses on completely separate levels of stupidity, and you group them together.

I understand that you want a positive spin on a horrible lapse in judgement, I just don't know if you *should* have a positive spin.

More feedback needed.

[MrAnon]

I wouldnt write so much. You realize they let convicted murderers into law school as long as they can qualify for federal loans, right? They've let in people with DUIs or whatever and they will continue to.

[redwings15]

".... this unforgettable ordeal will allow me to know exactly how frightening and burdensome an experience with the judicial process can be." This is just my opinion, but I don't know if "frightening"/"burdensome" is the best word to use--perhaps "challenging" or "trying." Why would you tell them you want to get into something frightening and burdensome to you?

[ADks]

From one addendum writer to another...don't make this part of your application the most memorable, that is, be as plain as possible. In my opinion, when you sap it up with emotions and such it will tend to stick out as much as say an sapped up and emotional personal statement. Make this part of your application very forgettable so that admissions can connect emotionally with the more positive parts of your application.

Cheers.

[john1990]

I agree with the others.
Don't try to put a positive spin on it, just take responsibility for your actions and come off as remorseful

[anonymous124]

Second Draft:

Appreciate the critique. The last paragraph of the previous was required on one of my applications as they ask how the incident has inspired you to practice law.

Second Draft:


On July 7, 2008 I was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated, Minor in Possesion of Alcohol and Open Container of Alcohol. The arrest resulted when I was pulled over for speeding on Interstate 10 in X County, (state). The officer felt I was impaired at the scene of the traffic stop. All charges were dismissed by the state, without the benefit of pretrial diversion, deferred adjudication or plea-agreement. A ruling was issued not to suspend my drivers license. The expungment process has been initiated and should be completed by 2012.

Despite the favorable disposition I deserve no conciliation from this committee in regards to the charges. I knew better than to drive after consuming alcohol underage and with an open can of beer. My choices that evening were reckless and selfish. This disclosure was entirely avoidable had I acted with any sort of sense that night. The humiliation of a being arrested and subsequent trips to court as a criminal defendant were well deserved consequences and things I will never forget nor intend on ever repeating.

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For that one particular application:

As someone who hopes to practice law one day I feel this ordeal will allow me to know exactly how mentally taxing and trying an experience with the criminal justice system can be. I would obviously rather not have such insight. However it should allow me to relate to my clients on an invaluable level by not losing sight of how important a responsibility it is to serve as someone's only legal advocate throughout a process they may find to be both unfamiliar and at times frightening.

[ADks]

They asked you how your arrest inspired you to practice law?

[anonymous124]

Yea. Or it may have been how has this contributed to your ability to practice law. Either way it was certainly the exception. Some schools I do not even have to disclose if I just wait until January but for all my top choices I do.

When you split hard with a 3.2 business GPA and lower 90th percentile LSAT this disclosure is going to probably not work in my favor in any sort of tie-breaking system.

[john1990]

On July 7, 2008 I was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated, Minor in Possesion of Alcohol, and Open Container of Alcohol.
I was pulled over for speeding on Interstate 10 in X County, (state). All charges were dismissed by the state. The expungment process has been initiated and should be completed by 2012.
I ask for no conciliation from this committee in regards to the charges. I knew better than to drive after consuming alcohol underage or with an open can of beer. My choices that evening were reckless and selfish. I will never repeat these actions and I will never forget being arrested, or the subsequent trips to court.


This is still on the long side