Felony Charge Dropped - Chances? Forum

[aju2000]

My freshman year of undergrad I had a lapse in judgement that I have kept pretty private. I used someone else's credit card and I was caught. I was charged with a felony and went through a diversion program and have changed my life. I have no conviction on my record. I also was "charged" or was subject to disciplinary action in my institution. I have overcome all of this and am now contemplating applying to law school. This incident was a main motivator for me to think about law school. I know how lawyers can change lives. The diversion program definitely whipped me into shape, and I am ready to explain how I changed my life around after this incident. Will this keep me from getting in? I will of course disclose everything when asked on the application. But how much does this hurt my chances.
PLEASE RESPOND WITH ADVICE!
Thanks.

[sfreuden]

My freshman year of undergrad I had a lapse in judgement that I have kept pretty private. I used someone else's credit card and I was caught. I was charged with a felony and went through a diversion program and have changed my life. I have no conviction on my record. I also was "charged" or was subject to disciplinary action in my institution. I have overcome all of this and am now contemplating applying to medical school. This incident was a main motivator for me to think about law school. I know how lawyers can change lives. The diversion program definitely whipped me into shape, and I am ready to explain how I changed my life around after this incident. Will this keep me from getting in? I will of course disclose everything when asked on the application. But how much does this hurt my chances.
PLEASE RESPOND WITH ADVICE!
Thanks.

?

[Bildungsroman]

Will this stop you from getting into law school? Probably not. Hell, Tulane has a student who is a convicted murderer (seriously).

[aju2000]

My freshman year of undergrad I had a lapse in judgement that I have kept pretty private. I used someone else's credit card and I was caught. I was charged with a felony and went through a diversion program and have changed my life. I have no conviction on my record. I also was "charged" or was subject to disciplinary action in my institution. I have overcome all of this and am now contemplating applying to medical school. This incident was a main motivator for me to think about law school. I know how lawyers can change lives. The diversion program definitely whipped me into shape, and I am ready to explain how I changed my life around after this incident. Will this keep me from getting in? I will of course disclose everything when asked on the application. But how much does this hurt my chances.
PLEASE RESPOND WITH ADVICE!
Thanks.

?

Sorry I ment law school. I am also thinking of taking my MCAT and applying to medical school, if law school is not an option. Medical schools only see CONVICTED records.

[pwyoung]

You'd have to disclose it and it might affect your chances, but I don't think it's going to hold you out or anything. As long as you completed the diversion program, haven't had any other trouble, and craft a good addendum, I think you'll be alright.

[Blessedassurance]

I don't know your numbers but some Law Schools only ask for convictions. I haven't seen Yale's app but Harvard, Columbia, Michigan, Penn, Stanford and Berkeley all ask for convictions. Chicago, UVA and NYU ask for charges in addition to convictions. Read the application to each school carefully and proceed accordingly. If it asks for charges, you have to disclose. Your bigger problem would be during C&F. The crime is one of moral turpitude so you may run into problems.

Contact the State Bar in states where you wish to practice and ask if this may be a problem etc. Their answers may not be entirely helpful though. Getting into Law School wouldn't be a problem however.

[bp shinners]

The crime is one of moral turpitude so you may run into problems.

Contact the State Bar in states where you wish to practice and ask if this may be a problem etc. Their answers may not be entirely helpful though. Getting into Law School wouldn't be a problem however.

Definitely get in touch with a C&F lawyer, also. Credit card fraud is something that could prevent you from being admitted to the bar, so you want to get an answer ahead of time before going through law school.