Law schools that ask about speeding tickets Forum

[Cochran]

Do they actually care? Will the one speeding ticket I have gotten actually play a factor in my admission to the requesting school? I find this incredibly ridiculous if some damn speeding ticket (most of which are bs anyhow) affects my application in ANY way.

[psu2016]

The speeding ticket won't keep you out. But lying about the speeding ticket will be a pain for character and fitness purposes come bar time.

[UVAIce]

Do they actually care? Will the one speeding ticket I have gotten actually play a factor in my admission to the requesting school? I find this incredibly ridiculous if some damn speeding ticket (most of which are bs anyhow) affects my application in ANY way.

Because it is a required disclosure for the C&F. Law schools do not want to admit people that can't actually practice upon graduation, so they ask a lot of the same questions that the state bars do.

[petepilsh]

Do they actually care? Will the one speeding ticket I have gotten actually play a factor in my admission to the requesting school? I find this incredibly ridiculous if some damn speeding ticket (most of which are bs anyhow) affects my application in ANY way.

Because it is a required disclosure for the C&F. Law schools do not want to admit people that can't actually practice upon graduation, so they ask a lot of the same questions that the state bars do.

This is the best explanation I have read to date for people asking why they have to disclose.

[Cochran]

That makes sense, but will they look at my ticket as some kind of character flaw? It was only 2 months ago, (45 in 25 school zone) during rush hour morning traffic. I'm in the process of trying to get it expunged, but am not sure if I will be able to. If unable to, would this harm my app? Aren't speeding tickets fairly common?

[psu2016]

That makes sense, but will they look at my ticket as some kind of character flaw? It was only 2 months ago, (45 in 25 school zone) during rush hour morning traffic. I'm in the process of trying to get it expunged, but am not sure if I will be able to. If unable to, would this harm my app? Aren't speeding tickets fairly common?

I had three when I applied...including two that I got within a week of each other a week before submitting my application. I think you will be just fine. The adcomms/bar examiners have larger fish to fry and the only way you are going to hurt yourself is to not disclose them.

[lalaa85]

what if we cannot find information on a speeding ticket? i tried looking up mine at the dmv but couldnt access information because my license was from another state. i know my ticket was sometime in 2011 but other than that i have no idea

[A. Nony Mouse]

Ask the state your license was from (they should have a form online where you can request your driving history - you might have to print it and mail it in). If that doesn't turn up anything, and the school asks for speeding tickets, just give as much info as you can remember (if that's "I received a speeding ticket in state x during 2011 but I have no additional details" that's fine).

(You may need this information for the bar so it's worth collecting it.)

[OLitch]

That makes sense, but will they look at my ticket as some kind of character flaw? It was only 2 months ago, (45 in 25 school zone) during rush hour morning traffic. I'm in the process of trying to get it expunged, but am not sure if I will be able to. If unable to, would this harm my app? Aren't speeding tickets fairly common?

J

This tells a lot about your character. You don't value the lives of our future generation enough to slow your roll. Your inability to follow directions speaks volumes about your fitness. Just kidding.

One application I looked at wanted you to list every interaction with the police even if you didn't get a ticket- this included getting pulled over for speeding!

[mjm1315]

If the charge was dropped, do we need to report?

[TheSpanishMain]

If the charge was dropped, do we need to report?

No one is going to care about a speeding ticket. Just report it to be safe

[landshoes]

Adcomms don't care but you have to report it to the bar so they ask. When in doubt, disclose. It won't make a difference on your application--it's for character and fitness, this is something that the law school did not create and has no control over. And yet, the law school application is part of it. Just disclose.

[mjm1315]

Gotcha. I honestly forgot about the ticket because I never actually for charged, just a citation that went away. My apps have said report if it was more than 10+ mph over speed limit, but it was changed to improper equipment so I didn't even realize I needed to say anything. Thanks!