After just returning from Tampa, after another successful administration of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, I returned with the thought that no crime is too old for the Board to inquire about. Time is a mitigating factor when it comes to bad acts, but it doesn’t mean the Board won’t want to learn about all the details of some youthful indiscretion even though, for example, you may have been still in high school.

The focus of the Board of Bar Examiners should be the status of your present character and Florida Bar Rule 3-12 (Determination of Present Character) (a) and (b) both consider the age and recency of the conduct at issue.

To be on the safe side, depending on the egregious nature of the past conduct (no matter how old), it may be wise to consider going above and beyond just being prepared to discuss the past crimes in detail. You may want to consider doing some meaningful community service to offer as evidence of rehabilitation.

Florida Bar rule 3-13 (g) considers all community or civic service. Florida Bar rule 3-13 (g) goes on to further state that, “the requirement of positive action is appropriate for applicants for admission to The Florida Bar because service to one’s community is an implied obligation of members of The Florida Bar.”

For a free consultation with a Florida Bar Hearing Defense Lawyer to help you meet your burden of proof that you possess the requisite good character to practice law in Florida, call Soreide Law Group at (954) 760-6552. We travel to all hearing locations throughout Florida of the Board of Bar Examiners.