Convicted Felon - 3.96 / 178 Forum

[medicineman]

So, I'm in a bit of a precarious position. I have always dreamed of going to law school, and not just any law school but a top tier school like Harvard, Yale, or Stanford. Unfortunately, when I was 18 years old (I'm almost 25 now), I made a major mistake and was in pretty serious trouble. I was still in high school and hanging out with the "wrong crowd" (I grew up in a poor urban ghetto but I'm not an URM lol). I got busted for a weapons charge during a jump out and spent five months locked up. I was released afterwards and have finished my parole.

I went and left the area I was in and enrolled in the flagship state school where I finished in four years and graduated with a 3.96 GPA. I took the LSATs this October and scored a 178 (after studying my ass off!).

Anyway, I want to know what my options are. Obviously, I have to disclose this on every application to every school. There is no way I can even have the offense pardoned without the governor, which cannot happen for a number of years. I am on what I believe is the right track now and really do want to go to law school.

Anyway, I hope you guys can be of some help. I know that I have the numbers to go just about anywhere, but I am afraid that my conviction is going to be looked upon negatively.

[Keilz]

Damn, good for you for getting back on the right track. Because your situation is so unique, I feel like you should go to a law school admission consultant who might have some experience with people in situations like yours. I am sure you have to be very specific with the way you disclose your convictions, so it would be best to go to a professional.

[Mack.Hambleton]

Your concern should first be whether you will be able to practice ie be admitted to the bar.

Talk to C&F attorney.

[a93212]

Is your record sealed?

[juliuscasear90]

1) Definitely, definitely disclose this no matter what anyone tells you ... It will come out so just deal witb it straight on--be frank and candid and get it out of the way.
2) Write about your growth in your PS
3) Definitely contact Spivey or Ann Levine
4) Definitely contact a state bar C&F attoney for your desired state
5) Don't lose hope - I believe with those stats and that story you can overcome your past record and have a great career. Don't listen to the naysayers there's plenty of felons practicing law across the country--just know its an uphill battle and from here on out your conduct must be impeccable because any slip up will be costly. Tread carefully seek good advise and you could be on your way to a great career in law.

[aoutis]

I know Yale has admitted a couple of people with fairly serious criminal convictions, so I don't think you should count yourself out for YHS.

http://www.today.com/id/26661590/ns/tod ... i6Om7w4nsk

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/yes ... 27?vyxecdi