Another criminal record topic... Forum

[Champion of the Sun]

I have some old but crappy stuff on my criminal and academic record. I just wanted to get some thoughts on my chances at law school. I at least know I will have to fully disclose all of this and plan on addressing it with an addendum for my criminal record and one for my academic record but I am worried about the stigma attached to what my record includes. My criminal record is as follows-

2000-Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct- I plead down from minor in possession of alcohol and paid a $50 fine.

2000- Misdemeanor Credit Card Fraud- I was 19 and I took a blockbuster card from a house during a party and used it to rent video games that I never planned on returning. What I didn't know was that a blockbuster card is attached to a credit card. When I didn't return the games the card owner's credit card was charged the late fees which resulted in $370 in late and collection fees. I was charged with felony credit card fraud but got a plea bargain of misdemeanor credit card fraud. I paid restitution to the tune of the $370 in fees, was sentenced to 365 days in jail. I served 15 and had 340 suspended and one year probation. I have not been in any trouble of any kind since these incidents.

My academic record has a similar damning image. I went to a community college in fall of 1999. I skipped class and didn't withdraw from the classes and received F's in the 3 classes I was enrolled in. This same pattern repeated its self in the fall of 2000 and the spring of 2002. This resulted in me being placed on academic probation and ultimately on academic suspension. I then reapplied in 2004 but had to complete a program that demonstrated my seriousness before I could have a full time schedule. I then transferred to a four year public state university in 2007 and in May I graduated. Since my u.g.p.a. includes my community college grades I have a pitiful 2.76 overall, however, since 2004 through 2010 my grades and g.p.a. have been on a steady incline capped off by a 4.0 senior year g.p.a. I am now waiting for my Oct. LSAT score and want to apply to several schools but am worried that my colorful past will rear its ugly head despite my best efforts to put it behind me. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[rdcws000]

I have some old but crappy stuff on my criminal and academic record. I just wanted to get some thoughts on my chances at law school. I at least know I will have to fully disclose all of this and plan on addressing it with an addendum for my criminal record and one for my academic record but I am worried about the stigma attached to what my record includes. My criminal record is as follows-

2000-Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct- I plead down from minor in possession of alcohol and paid a $50 fine.

2000- Misdemeanor Credit Card Fraud- I was 19 and I took a blockbuster card from a house during a party and used it to rent video games that I never planned on returning. What I didn't know was that a blockbuster card is attached to a credit card. When I didn't return the games the card owner's credit card was charged the late fees which resulted in $370 in late and collection fees. I was charged with felony credit card fraud but got a plea bargain of misdemeanor credit card fraud. I paid restitution to the tune of the $370 in fees, was sentenced to 365 days in jail. I served 15 and had 340 suspended and one year probation. I have not been in any trouble of any kind since these incidents.

My academic record has a similar damning image. I went to a community college in fall of 1999. I skipped class and didn't withdraw from the classes and received F's in the 3 classes I was enrolled in. This same pattern repeated its self in the fall of 2000 and the spring of 2002. This resulted in me being placed on academic probation and ultimately on academic suspension. I then reapplied in 2004 but had to complete a program that demonstrated my seriousness before I could have a full time schedule. I then transferred to a four year public state university in 2007 and in May I graduated. Since my u.g.p.a. includes my community college grades I have a pitiful 2.76 overall, however, since 2004 through 2010 my grades and g.p.a. have been on a steady incline capped off by a 4.0 senior year g.p.a. I am now waiting for my Oct. LSAT score and want to apply to several schools but am worried that my colorful past will rear its ugly head despite my best efforts to put it behind me. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

This stuff is nothing. There are people getting in to their choice schools with felonies in the past, you're talking about 10 year old misdemeanors. Disclose and you'll be fine. Seriously.

[omninode]

Agreed. I think the weak gpa will raise more red flags than the criminal record. A short addendum pointing out your recent improvement will show that you are aware of your past mistakes and you've put them behind you.

[CanadianWolf]

Law schools may admit you, but will the state bar ? Probably, but you might want to check with an attorney specializing in bar disciplinary matters before investing in law school.

[Champion of the Sun]

Agreed. I think the weak gpa will raise more red flags than the criminal record. A short addendum pointing out your recent improvement will show that you are aware of your past mistakes and you've put them behind you.

I think my LOR's will help too. I got one from a professor I had for my senior seminar and whom I've had before and got to know well and I have one from a district judge that taught an upper level poli sci constitutional law class that I took. I got A's in both classes and got to know both professors personally through several in depth after class discussions. I think those along with a thoughtful addendum should be enough to prove I am a changed person and that I am a serious student.

I was just worried because from a quick glance my old record looks bad what with the academic suspension and credit card fraud being on it and I can easily imagine my application being placed in the rejected pile if it were put up against applications with similar numbers minus the record.