what states can felons become lawyers?

Question

if you've been convicted of a felony and want to practice law; what do you suggest, and where can they practice?

but you would think after so long you would be able to go to school to become a lawyer. the felony is over 9 yrs old.
what can you do about it?do you have to ask the governor to expunge it? which i would think would be a battle in itself since our governor is in trouble himself.

Answer 1

Most of them. However, you must have the felony set aside, and if you have had no trouble with the law for a while after probation and parole, it is fairly routine.

The premise is that after one has served their punishment, they can be allowed to return to society. The conviction can be set aside in a court or by a pardon.

Answer 2

If you are not slick enough to get it set aside, you don't need to be a lawyer. I have worked in law offices and I think every lawyer could be convicted of a felony if he or she was scrutinized hard enough. At some point, I think every lawyer has commited a crime of maybe not acting in the best interests of their client or refusing to take a case for personal reasons. I don't think a felony should be an absolute bar to practice. There is such a thing as rehabilitation.

Answer 3

There are many, if not most states, will consider the felony like California!

"It’s up to the applicant to show that he or she is of good moral character. Applicants who have been convicted of a violent felony or certain other serious crimes frequently are determined not to have good moral character. Drug and alcohol abuse also raise red flags.

However, many factors are taken into account and each case is considered on an individual basis. Most applicants pass the moral character screening process with ease. And if an applicant does not pass, he or she can appeal to the State Bar Court."

Answer 4

Its not impossible, but the answer depends upon the state in which the applicant wants to practice law. Each state has different standards for admission to its bar.

In Virgina for example, it is not an absolute bar but it requires clear and convincing evidence to demonstrate moral fitness for taking the bar exam. That's a high standard, but not an impossible one to overcome.

Of course, a lot depends on the crime for which the applicant was convicted. If it involves a crime of moral turpitude, then it will likely be tough. To be sure, find the requirements by googling [State] "bar examination" "felony" "admission" Good luck.

Answer 5

I don't know of any. All states require some sort of moral character determination. And in every state I've checked, having a felony conviction is close to an automatic failure.

Now, if it was a long time ago, and a fairly minor felony, and didn't involved dishonesty or fraud, and you've done good since them -- there's a chance. But it's going to be an uphill battle.

Good luck.

Answer 6

I don't think there are any that can. It is a requirement of the BAR for a lawyer to be felony free.

Answer 7

call Tom Delay,,, he's a felon,,, lost his right to bear arms

Answer 8

>I thought it was a prerequisite, or (at best) an inevitability.<