How's my Arrest Addendum? Forum

[ChattTNdt]

"On the morning of December 15, 2009, I was taken into custody by the Hamilton County (TN) Police Department for misdemeanor possession of marijuana. I was released on O.R. Bond two hours later. I am scheduled to appear in court on February 15, 2010, and the aforementioned charge is pending until that date.

I deeply regret this incident. It was the result of poor decision making and a lapse in judgment. However, this incident is not indicative of my integrity and maturity level. It was an isolated incident, as I have never been arrested or detained previously and have never been subject to disciplinary action at any school.

I caused great hardship for many people around me, and disappointed many people that had respect for my character. Most importantly, I disappointed myself. As a result, I am now holding myself to far higher standards than before this incident, and I promise that I will never again put myself in such a position."

All my apps will be submitted by this Friday

How bad is it that this happened so recently? My record was clean up until this event.

Any tips on how I've written it?

Thanks

[Sauer Grapes]

....

[Flanker1067]

Haha, I mean I don't know anything about what they will really think, but I think that looks pretty bad. Getting arrested for weed after the age of 20 is just telling the world that you are a smoker. Its an accident at 15, but at 20 something its just one of those things that only happens to regular weed smokers. Now I feel that for most things (being a lawyer included) this is fine. However I don't think admissions will agree.

[Flanker1067]

Oh sorry, I didn't answer the original question. The addendum looks fine and genuinely remorseful.

[cubswin]

I deeply regret this incident. It was the result of poor decision making and a lapse in judgment. However, this incident is not indicative of my integrity and maturity level. It was an isolated incident, as I have never been arrested or detained previously and have never been subject to disciplinary action at any school.

You're kind of telling them what to think, and there is a possibility that might irk them. I'm dealing with a similar situation here, and so far, I've mostly elected to just provide the facts and let them take it from there. It looks pretty good overall, though. Some people post novels here as disciplinary addendums, and I doubt that is necessary.

[cubswin]

Haha, I mean I don't know anything about what they will really think, but I think that looks pretty bad. Getting arrested for weed after the age of 20 is just telling the world that you are a smoker. Its an accident at 15, but at 20 something its just one of those things that only happens to regular weed smokers. Now I feel that for most things (being a lawyer included) this is fine. However I don't think admissions will agree.

From what I've read on this board and heard from law students, minor offenses like this don't seem to have much effect on admission cycles. Plenty of kids get admitted to good schools with DUIs, and I think that ad-comms would (and should) consider that a far more serious offense than marijuana possession.

EDIT (in the interest of avoiding 3-in-a-row): Check out this addendum thread: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 22&t=86526

[bjf]

Am I the only person that thinks the promise at the end is a bit much?

OP, I like your addendum, but I would change that last part. I would either re-word or take it out completely.

[pattymac]

Have you applied in Canada? Your arrest for pot would make an excellent soft factor. You'd probably get accepted in every Canadian law school w/ money.

Kidding, of course. Americans are tough on pot smokers eh? Not a smoker myself at all, but I think you can only get busted in Canada if you have like a serious, serious amount (intent to distribute). Anything else is a written ticket like its a driving offence. Unreal.

Good luck!

[cubswin]

Americans are tough on pot smokers eh? Not a smoker myself at all, but I think you can only get busted in Canada if you have like a serious, serious amount (intent to distribute). Anything else is a written ticket like its a driving offence. Unreal.

Many places in America have made marijuana offenses a ticket too, though usually still with a court appearance.

[Flanker1067]

Haha, I mean I don't know anything about what they will really think, but I think that looks pretty bad. Getting arrested for weed after the age of 20 is just telling the world that you are a smoker. Its an accident at 15, but at 20 something its just one of those things that only happens to regular weed smokers. Now I feel that for most things (being a lawyer included) this is fine. However I don't think admissions will agree.

From what I've read on this board and heard from law students, minor offenses like this don't seem to have much effect on admission cycles. Plenty of kids get admitted to good schools with DUIs, and I think that ad-comms would (and should) consider that a far more serious offense than marijuana possession.

EDIT (in the interest of avoiding 3-in-a-row): Check out this addendum thread: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 22&t=86526

I agree with the seriousness part, however a DUI is often a once in a lifetime thing and will likely have no effect on Law school. Conversely, a marijuana charge likely says that person is a smoker. While I have two friends in Med school who regularly smoke, but are still successful and obviously do alot of work, I still think adcomms don't like it.

[GATORTIM]

On the morning of December 15, 2009

[lemonpie]

Am I the only person that thinks the promise at the end is a bit much?

OP, I like your addendum, but I would change that last part. I would either re-word or take it out completely.

+1

I would re-word it.

[magicman]

Haha, I mean I don't know anything about what they will really think, but I think that looks pretty bad. Getting arrested for weed after the age of 20 is just telling the world that you are a smoker. Its an accident at 15, but at 20 something its just one of those things that only happens to regular weed smokers. Now I feel that for most things (being a lawyer included) this is fine. However I don't think admissions will agree.

From what I've read on this board and heard from law students, minor offenses like this don't seem to have much effect on admission cycles. Plenty of kids get admitted to good schools with DUIs, and I think that ad-comms would (and should) consider that a far more serious offense than marijuana possession.

EDIT (in the interest of avoiding 3-in-a-row): Check out this addendum thread: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 22&t=86526

I agree with the seriousness part, however a DUI is often a once in a lifetime thing and will likely have no effect on Law school. Conversely, a marijuana charge likely says that person is a smoker. While I have two friends in Med school who regularly smoke, but are still successful and obviously do alot of work, I still think adcomms don't like it.

DUIs are a once in a lifetime thing? I don't think there is a single person on the face of the planet that was so unlucky as to get nabbed the one and only time they drove under the influence. Drunk drivers do so habitually and it is no secret.

[Moon_Man]

"On the morning of December 15, 2009, I was taken into custody by the Hamilton County (TN) Police Department for misdemeanor possession of marijuana. I was released on O.R. Bond two hours later. I am scheduled to appear in court on February 15, 2010, and the aforementioned charge is pending until that date.

I deeply regret this incident. It was the result of poor decision making and a lapse in judgment. However, this incident is not indicative of my integrity and maturity level. It was an isolated incident, as I have never been arrested or detained previously and have never been subject to disciplinary action at any school.

I caused great hardship for many people around me, and disappointed many people that had respect for my character. Most importantly, I disappointed myself. As a result, I am now holding myself to far higher standards than before this incident, and I promise that I will never again put myself in such a position."

All my apps will be submitted by this Friday

How bad is it that this happened so recently? My record was clean up until this event.

Any tips on how I've written it?

Thanks

I think it is terrible, actually. "Most importantly, I disappointed myself." That is an extremely cliche and tiresome line. I fully support your weed smoking but your addendum sucks. What does it mean that you are holding yourself to higher standards?