Question about who you associate with and Bar implications Forum

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NimbleGoose

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Question about who you associate with and Bar implications

Post by NimbleGoose » Tue May 10, 2011 12:27 pm

A few of my friends are always getting in trouble with the law, and one of them has been recently locked up for getting caught doing something really stupid...

My parents keep telling me that I shouldn't hang out with them anymore, and they told me that I shouldn't visit my friend who got locked up in prison because it would cause me problems when I try to apply to the bar.

I have a squeaky clean record, and I have absolutely NOTHING to worry about in that respect when it comes to the Character and Fitness portion of the bar application. My parents, however, are afraid that if the bar catches wind of the type of people that some of my friends are, then the Character and Fitness people will reject me.

I think they are being completely irrational, and I think that I should be able to visit my friend in prison if I want to do so. My parents keep on insisting that I wait until after I'm accepted.

What do you guys think about this?

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Jack Smirks

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Re: Question about who you associate with and Bar implications

Post by Jack Smirks » Tue May 10, 2011 12:31 pm

So your parents are worried that you're keeping it too real?

NVResident

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Re: Question about who you associate with and Bar implications

Post by NVResident » Tue May 10, 2011 12:46 pm

"The measure of a man is in the company he keeps"

Listen to your parents.

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glitter178

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Re: Question about who you associate with and Bar implications

Post by glitter178 » Tue May 10, 2011 12:48 pm

Image

BeenDidThat

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Re: Question about who you associate with and Bar implications

Post by BeenDidThat » Tue May 10, 2011 1:13 pm

Don't get in trouble yourself and you're fine.

Don't listen to the disloyal, holier-than-thou post two above. Ditching people because of bad decisions or non-normative decisions is what soulless strivers do. Don't be that guy.

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I.P. Daly

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Re: Question about who you associate with and Bar implications

Post by I.P. Daly » Tue May 10, 2011 1:44 pm

Out of curiosity, I ran a Lexis search to see if there were any cases involving Character and Fitness denials based on a persons past or present personal associations/friendships. I didn't see anything.

FYI however, being found in possession of crack multiple times while in law school can create some serious character and fitness issues.

CanadianWolf

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Re: Question about who you associate with and Bar implications

Post by CanadianWolf » Tue May 10, 2011 1:50 pm

Criminal behavior is not known to be contagious, therefore, you should be abe to visit your friend who is incarcerated.

Nevertheless, inmates have been known to testify against friends who are "targets" of federal investigations. Many imprisoned drug dealers, for example, testified against their lawyers (typically money laundering &/ tax fraud) in exchange for sentence reductions.

Associations can & often do raise suspicions. Conspiracy.

What if your incarcerated friend is found with contraband smuggled in by his significant other. Will he turn in his spouse/girlfriend or point the finger at another ?

Renzo

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Re: Question about who you associate with and Bar implications

Post by Renzo » Tue May 10, 2011 2:30 pm

It's extremely unlikely that it would cause you to fail the bar C&F, but it might cause you other complications. For example, it might delay or completely prohibit your ability to do government or political work. And of course, being in the wrong place/wrong time could get you in a situation that would cause you to fail the bar.

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FantasticMrFox

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Re: Question about who you associate with and Bar implications

Post by FantasticMrFox » Tue May 10, 2011 2:35 pm

NVResident wrote:"The measure of a man is in the company he keeps"

Listen to your parents.
I don't think your parents are rational either but you do need to stop hanging out with people who get arrested and incarcerated.

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Jack Smirks

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Re: Question about who you associate with and Bar implications

Post by Jack Smirks » Tue May 10, 2011 3:23 pm

NVResident wrote:"The measure of a man is in the company he keeps"

Listen to your parents.
"Fuck the Police".

Keep it real.

NVResident

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Re: Question about who you associate with and Bar implications

Post by NVResident » Tue May 10, 2011 3:59 pm

naterj wrote:
NVResident wrote:"The measure of a man is in the company he keeps"

Listen to your parents.
"Fuck the Police".

Keep it real.
Such eloquence in your retort. Your prospective school must be glowing with pride for the honor of receiving so formidable a prospect.

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Jack Smirks

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Re: Question about who you associate with and Bar implications

Post by Jack Smirks » Tue May 10, 2011 4:25 pm

NVResident wrote:
naterj wrote:
NVResident wrote:"The measure of a man is in the company he keeps"

Listen to your parents.
"Fuck the Police".

Keep it real.
Such eloquence in your retort. Your prospective school must be glowing with pride for the honor of receiving so formidable a prospect.
Give thy thoughts no tongue lest ye unveil thou own stupidity.

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