Wachter told the justices that in addition to his traffic violations and the car-buying episode, Gossage submitted an application for admission to the bar that disclosed only four of 17 convictions, omitted dates of employment and was otherwise incomplete, and signed it under penalty of perjury. Margolin responded that admission for Gossage would send a message that while the profession does not condone his past, it recognizes his remarkable turnaround. It would appear under the circumstances the rehabilitation period is not substantial enough. Wachter said previous applicants with less egregious criminal records have been denied admission, and said Gossage is not precluded from re-applying for admission if a longer period of rehabilitation were required. He suggested his client be admitted conditionally so he would not be required to re-take the bar examination.
Applicants have five years to be admitted after passing the exam.