Question about my criminal record and law school. Forum

[hinj]

Long time reader, first post!


Just finished my BA with a 3.5 . I have taken lsat before and scored 160. I know I can do better, however I want to know if its even worth a shot with my record.

I live in Florida and the driving laws here are very strict. I have many traffic infractions (stop sign, speeding , red lights ect.) I have also been arrested twice for with driving with a suspended license a couple of times in the past. (My license is currenty valid). Will this effect my application dramaticly?

I have also been arested for assult on an officer(felony) but the case was dissmissed.

I was then involved in an incident at my family bussiness involvong a gun. Make the long story short, I got arrested after I called the cops on a shop lifter because he told the cops I pulled a gun on him. I got my lawyer and the case was eventually dropped before going to court because we had video showing that I never touched the gun, it was my employee who pulled the gun, and he was in fact shoplifting.

Im really freaking out because Law School has been my goal and only reason I went to collage.

How bad will this be for my application and sitting for the bar in the future?

Any input is appriciated. Thanks Guys

[thegor1987]

probably won't hurt you too bad. Apply to a couple extra schools though just in case

[cartercl]

Your list sounds almost exactly like mine. I guess we'll find out together buddy. In all seriousness, just make sure you disclose everything and don't skirt the truth.

[hinj]

I will disclose everything... Im 22 years old right now, that felony happened a month after i turned 18.. Hopefully they will consider the fact that it was when I was alot younger and the case was dropped. Im still worried about the driving stuff though..

[cartercl]

How long ago was your most recent offense? When I graduate law school it will have been 8 years since my first and 5 since my most recent. I'm honestly considering switching to PT after my first year just to extend the time between the incidents by another year.

[kalvano]

Driving stuff doesn't matter much. It's not for the school's benefit that you disclose, it's for C&F.

[hinj]

@cartercl -- About the same time frame as yours..

[hinj]

Any more comments?

[ScaredWorkedBored]

Driving stuff won't be a positive but it's not that serious (no alcohol involved). The other stuff (i.e. felony violence) shouldn't be a problem if it's obviously factually baseless.

Be prepared to explain the facts of the arrest for felony assault on a police officer in detail and don't change your explanation in the next three years. You'll probably also want to be able to explain why you didn't think your license suspension was real.

[CanadianWolf]

With a fairly extensive record to report, you may want to contact an attorney who specializes in bar disciplinary matters before investing in law school. The Florida Bar monthly newspaper has a classified ad section where former state bar counsel advertise their services to those with bar issues.

[JD2014]

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[JD2014]

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[etown989]

I have been searching for topics like this for a while. I also have a similar record of the driving on suspended + 2 DWIs.

OP which schools are you applying to?