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Okay I will be an 1L at Miami in the Fall and I'm seeking advice about the Florida Bar. I was charged with a misdemeanor in 2009, but it was dismissed and sealed. I disclosed to Miami yada yada yada and they accepted me anyway. My question is though, when applying for the Bar (I know I must disclose to them), would the C and F committee actually have access to the contents of my sealed record? I was just curious, though it doesn't matter anyway since I disclosed.

Thanks!

StoneontaState wrote: it doesn't matter anyway since I disclosed.

so why do you care?

I'm just curious. Why does it matter to you?

StoneontaState wrote:Okay I will be an 1L at Miami in the Fall and I'm seeking advice about the Florida Bar. I was charged with a misdemeanor in 2009, but it was dismissed and sealed. I disclosed to Miami yada yada yada and they accepted me anyway. My question is though, when applying for the Bar (I know I must disclose to them), would the C and F committee actually have access to the contents of my sealed record? I was just curious, though it doesn't matter anyway since I disclosed.

Thanks!

Yes. Sealed is from the public. Having a record expunged would still show but without any details. However, I do beleive some higher agencies will always have special access to exacts. The only thing the FL bar declares concerns felony charges. But no worries, you could rob a bank and still pass the FL bar as long as rights have been restored and other determinants met.

StoneontaState wrote:I'm just curious. Why does it matter to you?

I'm just curious.

.

http://www.floridabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/JNN ... enDocument

...but the legal demand for young (additional) attorneys in FL are slim pickens so this could be a "no win" situation. But don't invest too much weight into that article...will never happen.

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Mitch McDeere wrote:In my case, adjudication was withheld until i completed a probation-like program (I entered a plea of no contest). After that, the charges were dismissed and my record expunged. However, it was a felony. Does anyone have any insight into what kind of problems i might encounter when applying for the bar?

Although no one can determine any outcome, I beleive you will be fine. Just disclose all that info...they already know. Trust me, I have an extensive legal history (recovering addict) and not the least bit worried given my record (adj. guilty). Show them you have rehabed and you will be fine. Call the Bar to relieve your worries.

Mitch McDeere wrote:In my case, adjudication was withheld until i completed a probation-like program (I entered a plea of no contest). After that, the charges were dismissed and my record expunged. However, it was a felony. Does anyone have any insight into what kind of problems i might encounter when applying for the bar?

This is directly from the Florida Bar Exam site.

#4 Persons who have been convicted of a felony shall not be eligible to apply until the person’s civil rights have been restored.
#5 Persons who are serving a sentence of felony probation regardless of adjudication of guilt shall not be eligible to apply until termination of the period of probation.

I'm almost sure that you will not be eligible if you do not report it, may have to do a character fitness exam/interview deal in front a handful of examiners. I've heard its intimidating but shouldn't be an issue if you go with the truth.