Explaining Criminal/Academic Misconduct on Bar Application vs. Law School Application Forum

[Anonymous User]

Are there any differences in how you explain disciplinary action on the bar app and law school app? I.E. do you just list the charge or do you still list mitigating factors the court took into account and lessons learned?

[NotMyRealName09]

Too general of a question to really answer--do what the app tells you to--but generally I'd say you list the offense and outcome, period, but if it asks for a little summary, slip in at the end "regret actions, learned from mistake, haven't repeated, formative experience, etc." Keep it short and sweet I'd say. Just the facts. Including "mitigating factors" sounds like a dodge to responsibility. Just say the charge, outcome, you accept your responsibility now, you regret and learned.

Edit: you're anon, I'm a little dying to know what counts as both criminal & academic misconduct - stealing answer key? Indulge us anon!

[Anonymous User]

I was trying to be as broad as possible. If you must so the criminal misconduct was for assaulting a police officer. I also have academic misconduct for cheating in college. The assault instance was dismissed on account of the mitigating factors I was going to mention.