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Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 5:56 pm
by perse2011
If failed to disclose some educational background in application but added the information when asked. What would be the possible consequence, including legal consequence?

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 5:57 pm
by Aqualibrium
Rejection. Especially if it's something egregious.

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:00 pm
by perse2011
Aqualibrium wrote:Rejection. Especially if it's something egregious.
Besides rejection, is there any legal or administrative consequence? For example not allowed to apply for any other law schools any more?

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:03 pm
by hokie
if it is/can be a c&f issue, then it most likely will found and brought up when taking the bar. The safest thing is ALWAYS to disclose everything from the beginning

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:04 pm
by Aqualibrium
perse2011 wrote:
Aqualibrium wrote:Rejection. Especially if it's something egregious.
Besides rejection, is there any legal or administrative consequence? For example not allowed to apply for any other law schools any more?

I don't want to sound harsh; I'm sure you're just worried/genuinely naive. However, don't be an idiot. Why do you kids think that law schools have so much power/resources to hire a private investigator to track you down/care so damn much about you?

The greatest issue you have "legally" is, if it is something egregious, and you are accepted and matriculate at a school before updating them, you may have issues with C&F. I had a classmate who had to drop out halfway through spring semester of 1L because he didn't disclose everything on his app. and was told he'd never be able to pass C&F as a result of the nature of the non disclosures/fact that he didn't initially disclose.

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:10 pm
by DeeCee
Aqualibrium wrote:
perse2011 wrote:
Aqualibrium wrote:Rejection. Especially if it's something egregious.
Besides rejection, is there any legal or administrative consequence? For example not allowed to apply for any other law schools any more?

I don't want to sound harsh; I'm sure you're just worried/genuinely naive. However, don't be an idiot. Why do you kids think that law schools have so much power/resources to hire a private investigator to track you down/care so damn much about you?

The greatest issue you have "legally" is, if it is something egregious, and you are accepted and matriculate at a school before updating them, you may have issues with C&F. I had a classmate who had to drop out halfway through spring semester of 1L because he didn't disclose everything on his app. and was told he'd never be able to pass C&F as a result of the nature of the non disclosures/fact that he didn't initially disclose.
Does anyone have a laundry list of such things the C&F would look into (in a link to a website or something)? I have fully disclosed everything of my app, but for the sake of the OP and my curiosity, I would be interested in what this committee actually looks for.

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:11 pm
by perse2011
Aqualibrium wrote:
perse2011 wrote:
Aqualibrium wrote:Rejection. Especially if it's something egregious.
Besides rejection, is there any legal or administrative consequence? For example not allowed to apply for any other law schools any more?

I don't want to sound harsh; I'm sure you're just worried/genuinely naive. However, don't be an idiot. Why do you kids think that law schools have so much power/resources to hire a private investigator to track you down/care so damn much about you?

The greatest issue you have "legally" is, if it is something egregious, and you are accepted and matriculate at a school before updating them, you may have issues with C&F. I had a classmate who had to drop out halfway through spring semester of 1L because he didn't disclose everything on his app. and was told he'd never be able to pass C&F as a result of the nature of the non disclosures/fact that he didn't initially disclose.
Thanks for the detailed response. The current case is a little bit different. The admission committee has already specially inquired about the matter and I added the omitted information. But they indicate they consider omission a serious matter and ask for my further comment. I'm a little confused, what "comment" should I make now? Apology for omission or it is a sigh that they want to submit the case to some sort of higher authority?

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:13 pm
by Aqualibrium
DCLaw11 wrote:
Aqualibrium wrote:
perse2011 wrote:
Aqualibrium wrote:Rejection. Especially if it's something egregious.
Besides rejection, is there any legal or administrative consequence? For example not allowed to apply for any other law schools any more?

I don't want to sound harsh; I'm sure you're just worried/genuinely naive. However, don't be an idiot. Why do you kids think that law schools have so much power/resources to hire a private investigator to track you down/care so damn much about you?

The greatest issue you have "legally" is, if it is something egregious, and you are accepted and matriculate at a school before updating them, you may have issues with C&F. I had a classmate who had to drop out halfway through spring semester of 1L because he didn't disclose everything on his app. and was told he'd never be able to pass C&F as a result of the nature of the non disclosures/fact that he didn't initially disclose.
Does anyone have a laundry list of such things the C&F would look into (in a link to a website or something)? I have fully disclosed everything of my app, but for the sake of the OP and my curiosity, I would be interested in what this committee actually looks for.
General criminal charges, academic dishonesty, campus rule violations, etc... Anything that may implicate a candidate's moral turpitude. I don't think anyone can give a truly exhaustive list. Additionally, different bar examiners will give different weight to different things. I had an attorney tell me he got called before C&F because he tried to reenter a football game after he walked out....

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:16 pm
by Aqualibrium
perse2011 wrote:
Aqualibrium wrote:
perse2011 wrote:
Aqualibrium wrote:Rejection. Especially if it's something egregious.
Besides rejection, is there any legal or administrative consequence? For example not allowed to apply for any other law schools any more?

I don't want to sound harsh; I'm sure you're just worried/genuinely naive. However, don't be an idiot. Why do you kids think that law schools have so much power/resources to hire a private investigator to track you down/care so damn much about you?

The greatest issue you have "legally" is, if it is something egregious, and you are accepted and matriculate at a school before updating them, you may have issues with C&F. I had a classmate who had to drop out halfway through spring semester of 1L because he didn't disclose everything on his app. and was told he'd never be able to pass C&F as a result of the nature of the non disclosures/fact that he didn't initially disclose.
Thanks for the detailed response. The current case is a little bit different. The admission committee has already specially inquired about the matter and I added the omitted information. But they indicate they consider omission a serious matter and ask for my further comment. I'm a little confused, what "comment" should I make now? Apology for omission or it is a sigh that they want to submit the case to some sort of higher authority?
Was it an intentional omission? Like I said, there is no "higher authority" for you to be reported to. They'll reject you. That's about it. I assume "comment" just means they want you to explain why it was omitted. Again, if this was something bad that you intentionally omitted, you need to updated your app everywhere if you ever want to practice law.

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:20 pm
by perse2011
Was it an intentional omission? Like I said, there is no "higher authority" for you to be reported to. They'll reject you. That's about it. I assume "comment" just means they want you to explain why it was omitted. Again, if this was something bad that you intentionally omitted, you need to updated your app everywhere if you ever want to practice law.[/quote]

I don't have evidence either to prove the omission was intentional or otherwise. But if the Committee thinks it was intentional, what would be my option now? "Comment" it was not intentional, beg for pardon and withdraw my application, or anything else?

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:22 pm
by CanadianWolf
It may be reported to state bars if & when you apply for a bar exam. Not sure if some law schools report earlier.

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:23 pm
by Aqualibrium
perse2011 wrote:
I don't have evidence either to prove the omission was intentional or otherwise. But if the Committee thinks it was intentional, what would be my option now? "Comment" it was not intentional, beg for pardon and withdraw my application, or anything else?

LOL you haven't really answered any of my questions. This is all I'll say on this topic:

If the omission was not intentional, apologize profusely and assure them that it wasn't.

If the omission was intentional, apologize profusely and update all your other apps if you ever want to practice law. Also, slap yourself for being an idiot.

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:25 pm
by perse2011
Aqualibrium wrote:
perse2011 wrote:
I don't have evidence either to prove the omission was intentional or otherwise. But if the Committee thinks it was intentional, what would be my option now? "Comment" it was not intentional, beg for pardon and withdraw my application, or anything else?

LOL you haven't really answered any of my questions. This is all I'll say on this topic:

If the omission was not intentional, apologize profusely and assure them that it wasn't.

If the omission was intentional, apologize profusely and update all your other apps if you ever want to practice law.
Thanks. Actually I have only applied one school so far. I was going to say that the omission was not intentional but am afraid they might not believe it.

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:27 pm
by CanadianWolf
Sounds as if there may be a reasonable presumption that the omission was an intentional act to cover-up unfavorable information. Ironically, your omissions in this thread may produce incorrect, although well-intentioned, advice. Poor judgment at best.

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:27 pm
by joebloe
The NCBE's Bar Examiner publication runs a column called "Litigation Update" periodically that discusses bar applications that have gone on to be litigated, including a number that were denied because of C&F issues. You can see many of them on the NCBE's website, but it's not easy to navigate to it, so here's a search page that should get all of them: http://www.google.com/#q=site:ncbex.org ... fp=1&cad=b

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:32 pm
by James Bond
perse2011 wrote:Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?
I mean, this could happen to you too

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:33 pm
by perse2011
CanadianWolf wrote:Sounds as if there may be a reasonable presumption that the omission was an intentional act to cover-up unfavorable information. Ironically, your omissions in this thread may produce incorrect, although well-intentioned, advice. Poor judgment at best.
The Committee seems to have a presumption of "intentional" now. Even if I have already added all the omitted information.

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:35 pm
by perse2011
joebloe wrote:The NCBE's Bar Examiner publication runs a column called "Litigation Update" periodically that discusses bar applications that have gone on to be litigated, including a number that were denied because of C&F issues. You can see many of them on the NCBE's website, but it's not easy to navigate to it, so here's a search page that should get all of them: http://www.google.com/#q=site:ncbex.org ... fp=1&cad=b
Thanks for the article. It would be an issue even some information was omitted in the initial law school application but completed by an addendum?

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:36 pm
by perse2011
James Bond wrote:
perse2011 wrote:Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?
I mean, this could happen to you too
Strangely the pictures make me feel better

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:37 pm
by James Bond
perse2011 wrote:
James Bond wrote:
perse2011 wrote:Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?
I mean, this could happen to you too
Strangely the pictures make me feel better
:?

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:38 pm
by CanadianWolf
Again, but in straightforward language, reads as if you got caught withholding negative information. If you want good advice, you need to share more detailed information.

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:41 pm
by perse2011
CanadianWolf wrote:Again, but in straightforward language, reads as if you got caught withholding negative information. If you want good advice, you need to share more detailed information.
For example, if attended some sort of school but didn't disclose the experience. But at that time I didn't think it was a kind that must be disclosed and added the information about that period now. Still the Committee asks for further comment.

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:43 pm
by kjadkins
CanadianWolf wrote:Again, but in straightforward language, reads as if you got caught withholding negative information. If you want good advice, you need to share more detailed information.
Agreed. Omitting "educational background" can mean a lot of things, and there's a big difference in accidentally omitting a community college where you took a summer class once for fun because you didn't think it was important enough to be included and intentionally omitting a college you went to and flunked out/got suspended or expelled from/etc. For anyone on TT to help you, you've gotta give more information about the circumstances.

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:45 pm
by JenDarby
CanadianWolf wrote:Sounds as if there may be a reasonable presumption that the omission was an intentional act to cover-up unfavorable information. Ironically, your omissions in this thread may produce incorrect, although well-intentioned, advice. Poor judgment at best.
+1

I reread to be sure I wasn't missing anything. What specifically did you omit?

edit: my phone rang before I hit submit, and then I didn't look it over to see all those who beat me to it!

Re: Possible consequences of a failure to disclose?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:46 pm
by CanadianWolf
"Some sort of school" & "experience" generate speculation. Was it a terrorist camp in Afghanistan ? Or a school experience in lieu of punishment for some type of infraction or offense ? Or a survivalists' camp that got you on an FBI watchlist ?