Disclose? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I have 2 underage drinking citations that are 10 years old (summary offenses). Further, I have an 8 y/o furnishing alcohol to minors charge (when I was 21, I bought beer for my 20 y/o roommate and got caught) - this has since been expunged from my record.

None of these charges will affect my ability to take the bar (I spoke with an attorney about this already).

I haven't disclosed any of this. My question is, should I? Why should I? Thanks

[pancakes3]

yes. always. underage drinking - even DUIs won't affect your admission (to school and bar). lying will.

[Good Guy Gaud]

yes. always. underage drinking - even DUIs won't affect your admission (to school and bar). lying will.

[drive4showLSAT4dough]

Not legal advice, just personal opinion:

Yes you should disclose.

If you disclose, nothing bad will happen.

If you don't disclose, it's possible that something bad could happen. That bad something has do to with honesty concerns, not alcohol infractions. When you apply for the bar, there will be an inconsistency between your (1) disclosure to the bar and (2) your nondisclosure in your law school application. That reflects poorly on you, and could potentially cause problems.

Disclose. Be upfront and honest. That way, you will have nothing to worry about down the road.

[oidsedidy]

Disclose disclose 1000x disclose.

[A. Nony Mouse]

If any of your applications include questions that ask for these kinds of citations, yes, you need to disclose them. Because when you apply for the bar you will be asked about criminal history, and the bar can check criminal records, and lack of disclosure is always a much much bigger deal than what you are disclosing. If schools ask expressly for expunged convictions, you disclose those as well. You're also affirming that all your answers on your law school apps are true, so make sure that they are.

(I think this is one of the biggest differences between legal culture and ordinary people culture. For the law, not disclosing is ALWAYS a bad idea.)

Keep in mind that the bar only cares about discrepancies where your law school app actually asked you about something (for example: my law school doesn't ask about mental health treatment. My state bar does. No one in the state bar is going to care that you didn't disclose mental health treatment on your law school app, since it doesn't ask). So make sure you understand what the question is really asking and that you're answering it honestly (for instance, some schools will ask for expunged convictions, some won't. You don't have to volunteer your expunged conviction if it isn't asked for, just for fear of the state bar down the road).

[poptart123]

Yes, disclose. We are trying to keep being an attorney an honest profession.

Seriously though, I know many people with underage drinking citations. I don't remember where, so don't quote me, but a while ago I've read that about 1/4 college students gets one. I think that's believable. Just admit to it, say it was a mistake that you regret, you fulfilled your duties given to you by the court, and that will be that.

As others have said, not disclosing can come back to bite you in the butt. Honesty > a trying to lie about teen's mistake.

[Fantasyfreak294]

If any of your applications include questions that ask for these kinds of citations, yes, you need to disclose them. Because when you apply for the bar you will be asked about criminal history, and the bar can check criminal records, and lack of disclosure is always a much much bigger deal than what you are disclosing. If schools ask expressly for expunged convictions, you disclose those as well. You're also affirming that all your answers on your law school apps are true, so make sure that they are.

(I think this is one of the biggest differences between legal culture and ordinary people culture. For the law, not disclosing is ALWAYS a bad idea.)

Keep in mind that the bar only cares about discrepancies where your law school app actually asked you about something (for example: my law school doesn't ask about mental health treatment. My state bar does. No one in the state bar is going to care that you didn't disclose mental health treatment on your law school app, since it doesn't ask). So make sure you understand what the question is really asking and that you're answering it honestly (for instance, some schools will ask for expunged convictions, some won't. You don't have to volunteer your expunged conviction if it isn't asked for, just for fear of the state bar down the road).

I have two expunged convictions from when I was a kid (a theft under 50 and a possession of tobacco by a minor). If asked for expunged convictions on my law school apps, I'm obviously going to disclose. But do you think this is something I should be worried about when applying? I have no idea how much law schools care about charges like those when looking at applicants.

[Fantasyfreak294]

If any of your applications include questions that ask for these kinds of citations, yes, you need to disclose them. Because when you apply for the bar you will be asked about criminal history, and the bar can check criminal records, and lack of disclosure is always a much much bigger deal than what you are disclosing. If schools ask expressly for expunged convictions, you disclose those as well. You're also affirming that all your answers on your law school apps are true, so make sure that they are.

(I think this is one of the biggest differences between legal culture and ordinary people culture. For the law, not disclosing is ALWAYS a bad idea.)

Keep in mind that the bar only cares about discrepancies where your law school app actually asked you about something (for example: my law school doesn't ask about mental health treatment. My state bar does. No one in the state bar is going to care that you didn't disclose mental health treatment on your law school app, since it doesn't ask). So make sure you understand what the question is really asking and that you're answering it honestly (for instance, some schools will ask for expunged convictions, some won't. You don't have to volunteer your expunged conviction if it isn't asked for, just for fear of the state bar down the road).

I have two expunged convictions from when I was a kid (a theft under 50 and a possession of tobacco by a minor). If asked for expunged convictions on my law school apps, I'm obviously going to disclose. But do you think this is something I should be worried about when applying? I have no idea how much law schools care about charges like those when looking at applicants.

Clarification: When I say law schools, I mean those w/in the T-14, except Yale.