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Is my DUI going to screw me up in the bar investigation or law school admissions? Is it even going to show up if I don't bring it up?

I'm around 40, and a long time ago, in 1995 I got a DUI in California. It was right after my father died, during some stupid greek-week activity, and quite honestly, it's a long, and probably irrelevant story where I slept in my car all night and drove home in the morning, got pulled over for speeding and when I rolled down my window, it REEKED of beer. I was right at 0.8, and had not the greatest advice, and just plead it guilty.

I plead guilty because I was young, and told what I think might be total lies. I was told at the time that IF I plead guilty, and if I go to classes, and if I don't violate again, and if I wait 3 years, it will go away, forever... be expunged, and all traces of it will be removed from my record. (they say if you get 1, you're chances are 80% or more of getting a second, I never have, never will, don't ever drink and drive even the next morning still, no where even worth the risk).

Anyway, it happened. It's 13 years later, I don't think it's on my driving record, and never seemed to show up on a background check. It's not been an issue in my life until now... when I see these "have you ever been arrested, where, when, and why" questions. I'd bet money that I could "forget" it and get in law school, but what would that matter if later I was "found out" at the bar exam?

What is this really going to do to my chances? How should I approach this issue?

nope, not at all.

Just be honest about it

Sammyler wrote:nope, not at all.

Just be honest about it

heh, I think you edited while I was replying... I see now. I guess I'll have to dig up the old paperwork, and try to find the info. Some of the applications want case numbers, if it was expunged, they might be hard to find... I'll end up doing my own background check just to get the info!

--older reply--
Not going to matter at all? Or not going to show up at all?

Or... Not going to stand a chance to get in at all?

docnd wrote:

Sammyler wrote:nope, not at all.

Just be honest about it

heh, I think you edited while I was replying... I see now. I guess I'll have to dig up the old paperwork, and try to find the info. Some of the applications want case numbers, if it was expunged, they might be hard to find... I'll end up doing my own background check just to get the info!

--older reply--
Not going to matter at all? Or not going to show up at all?

Or... Not going to stand a chance to get in at all?

If this happened like you say, basically don't worry at all.

I'd be up front and tell 'em it happened, I guarantee they're not going to care.

You've got a couple things on your side:

1. Time -- That was a long ass time ago.
2. Single instance. Had you gotten 2 more since then, it may be different, but it's just once.

One of the administration at a school I visited (I talked to in person), had two DUIs on his record shortly before applying to law school. He basically laughed it off* and said no one cares unless you've got like 5 of 'em, or if it was much more serious than just getting pulled over, like a bad wreck involving someone else.

In short, just tell them, and let out a big sigh because it's not going to hurt you.


(*I don't mean that he thought it was funny to get a DUI, I just mean how people who had a DUI thought that their lives were over and that they didn't have a chance at going to law school and would forever be haunted by a DUI.)

The most important thing to the C&F committee is that you are up front and disclose things. There are people who have done terrible things that still pass the bar. Just own up to it.

^^^^ TITCR. Just be honest. The bar (and law schools) seem to care much more about lying, cheating, and stealing, i.e. things that seriously compromise one's ability to be an honest attorney. The number of practicing attorneys with DUIs on their record both before and after law school is legion.