Case ID: so3d_197/html/0160-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "WEIMER, J., CRICHTON, J., JOHNSON, C.J.,", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

In re COMMITTEE ON BAR ADMISSIONS CFN-653816.
    No. 2016-BA-1290.
    Supreme Court of Louisiana.
    July 8, 2016.
   In re Confidential Party; — Plaintiff; Applying For Petition to Sit for the Louisiana Bar.

11 Denied.

JOHNSON, C.J., dissents and assigns reasons.

WEIMER, J., dissents and assigns reasons.

CRICHTON, J., additionally concurs and ahsigns reasons.

WEIMER, J.,

dissenting.

|/When an applicant has a record of criminal offenses, this court typically will allow the applicant to take the bar exam and, if the applicant passes the exam, the applicant may request the appointment of a commissioner to evaluate the applicant’s character and fitness. For example, in In re May, 12-1031, p. 1 (La.10/23/12), 101 So.3d 438, 438, the applicant was allowed to take the bar exam, notwithstanding the fact he had a criminal record that he had failed to disclose on his law school application.

Here, from all that appears, the applicant disclosed a criminal history on his background questionnaire. The applicant’s history, according to the Committee on Bar Admissions, includes several alcohol-related offenses, such as public intoxication, being a minor in possession of alcohol, driving under the influence, and an open container violation. However, the information . provided does not indicate whether the applicant has been convicted of the listed offenses. According to the present record, it is entirely possible that the applicant was arrested but ultimately exonerated!' On the other hand,- it is entirely possible that the applicant has been found guilty. We simply do not .know at present because the record indicates the applicant was “cited for, arrested for, charged with, or convicted” of the criminal offenses. Likewise,- we do not know if the applicant has utilized the services of the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program for any alcohol abuse issues.

|2Not unlike my learned colleagues, I find the record that the applicant has divulged troubling and some summary explanation could have been beneficial. However, the majority’s denial of permission to take the bar exam essentially presumes the applicant is guilty of crimes that the Committee does not,' at this juncture, identify as convictions. Moreover, under La. Sup.Ct. Rule XVII, Sect. 9(D), the most appropriate time for an explanation is after passage of the bar exam and during a hearing before a commissioner. There may be some criminal histories that cannot be explained, but this is not such a record.

Accordingly, I respectfully dissent. I would allow the applicant to take the bar exam with the provision that, upon his successful completion of the bar exam, he apply to the court for the appointment of a commissioner to take character and fitness evidence.

CRICHTON, J.,

additionally concurs and assigns reasons.

hi agree with the court’s decision to deny the petitioner permission to sit for the July 2016 bar exam. An applicant bears the burden of proving his or her good moral character and fitness to practice law by clear and convincing evidence under La. Sup.Ct. Rule XVII, sec. 6(D). In my view, in light of the applicant’s criminal history, he has failed to provide any showing whatsoever that he should be allowed to take the bar exam.

JOHNSON, C.J.,

dissents.

• hi would allow- Petitioner to take the Louisiana State Bar Examination and apply to this'court.for the appointment of a commissioner in accordance with Supreme Court Rule XVII, § 9, to take evidence and report to this court as to whether petitioner has the appropriate character and fitness to be admitted to the bar and allowed to practice law in ■ the State of Louisiana should Petitioner satisfactorily pass the examination.