Definition of 'first conviction' for traffic violations? Forum

pleadthafif · Post by **pleadthafif** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 10:47 am

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encore1101 · Post by **encore1101** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 10:53 am

pleadthafif wrote:I would just disclose everything. I doubt the adcomms care about speeding or parking tickets, but it could really screw you if you don't disclose when it comes time to sit for the bar from what I hear.

This. But if you just want to list what's required, you'd list all speeding tickets after the first. No, it doesn't make a difference your tickets are from different states.

AReasonableMan · Post by **AReasonableMan** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 10:54 am

That's kind of a misnomer. A minor traffic violation is not a criminal misdemeanor.

cantorb · Post by **cantorb** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 11:11 am

A. Nony Mouse · Post by **A. Nony Mouse** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 11:13 am

Stuff like driving on a suspended license is a misdemeanor - I presume that's what they meant.

cantorb · Post by **cantorb** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 11:15 am

Pneumonia · Post by **Pneumonia** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 11:17 am

I just wrote something like "I have received tickets for speeding. As best I can recall, the total is not in excess of seven." No need to itemize them or anything like that (if speeding/similar is the only thing you're listing).

BigZuck · Post by **BigZuck** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 11:17 am

Just disclose everything and then you don't have to think about it any more

A. Nony Mouse · Post by **A. Nony Mouse** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 11:21 am

cantorb wrote:
A. Nony Mouse wrote:Stuff like driving on a suspended license is a misdemeanor - I presume that's what they meant.
They specifically list speeding.

Right, I was addressing only the comment that minor traffic violations are not misdemeanors. It's not the best worded question, I agree.

pleadthafif · Post by **pleadthafif** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 11:23 am

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encore1101 · Post by **encore1101** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 11:56 am

cantorb wrote:
encore1101 wrote:
pleadthafif wrote:I would just disclose everything. I doubt the adcomms care about speeding or parking tickets, but it could really screw you if you don't disclose when it comes time to sit for the bar from what I hear.
This. But if you just want to list what's required, you'd list all speeding tickets after the first. No, it doesn't make a difference your tickets are from different states.
I'm mainly asking because The Law Dictionary defines 'first conviction' as a conviction taken into account in a subsequent sentencing - which wan't the case by any of mine. I don't want to look like an idiot listing all my traffic violations if they explicitly tell you not to list any that didn't have future repercussions. Do most applicants with multiple tickets (I'm assuming there are many people in that group) list them on the app?

I didn't go (or even apply) to Harvard, but I assume that they're not using "legal" terms of art. That definition is applicable mainly in one context -- at the time of sentencing of a subsequent crime. You're obviously not being sentenced for any crime by filling out a law school application, so I wouldn't use that as your defense for not disclosing.

AReasonableMan · Post by **AReasonableMan** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 12:06 pm

A. Nony Mouse wrote:Stuff like driving on a suspended license is a misdemeanor - I presume that's what they meant.

I mean that's already a pretty serious violation, certainly more so than going 90 in a 60.

cantorb · Post by **cantorb** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 11:08 pm

Pneumonia · Post by **Pneumonia** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 11:28 pm

cantorb wrote:
Pneumonia wrote:I just wrote something like "I have received tickets for speeding. As best I can recall, the total is not in excess of seven." No need to itemize them or anything like that (if speeding/similar is the only thing you're listing).
That sounds perfect - did you get in (assuming this you're a past applicant)?

Yes. It's just covering your bases- don't stress about it.