Opinion ID: 1281213
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Bar Application Procedure

Text: Mr. Dortch's application for admission to practice law in the State of West Virginia was received by the Board on or about October 25, 1995. The applicant's application, which revealed his felony convictions and prison term, [4] was eventually referred to the District 8 Character Committee (hereinafter Character Committee) for investigation and report. [5] Following an investigation and interview of the applicant, the Character Committee, by letter to the Board dated January 17, 1996, indicated that if the Committee were to judge Mr. Dortch on his current character, without the background of the serious felonious activity, we would certainly recommend him for admission to the West Virginia Bar. Our Courts have seemed to have said on several occasions that the simple fact of a conviction of a serious crime precludes a person from being entitled to the license to practice law. If that is the rule in West Virginia, then Mr. Dortch should not be admitted. If, however, the Board of Bar [sic] Examiners believes that felonious activity and the conviction can be overcome by complying with a lengthy prison sentence exhibiting sincere contriteness and convincing his law school faculty and fellow students and associates of his sincerity, then it is clear that all of these exculpating factors are present and Mr. Dortch should be admitted as he would seem to be otherwise duly qualified. The Board subsequently conducted an interview of the applicant on February 12, 1996, during its regularly-scheduled meeting. Following the meeting, the Board permitted the applicant to sit for the February 1996 bar examination but postponed deciding his character and fitness to practice law and eligibility for admission until after he had successfully completed the examination. As indicated above, Mr. Dortch passed the February 1996 bar examination. At the Board's June 20, 1996 meeting, its six attending members reviewed the applicant's application and supporting documentation, as well as the Character Committee's investigation and report and the Board's own interview of the applicant on February 12, 1996. By a vote of three to three, a majority vote being required to certify eligibility for admission, the Board denied Mr. Dortch's application for admission. In its June 27, 1996 letter to the applicant notifying him of its decision, the Board indicated that the [g]rounds for disapproval of [his] application include but are not limited to ... [his] ... [c]riminal history which includes a felony conviction for second degree murder, attempted armed robbery and conspiracy. [6] The June 27, 1996 letter advised the applicant that, pursuant to Rule 5.3, [7] he could then withdraw his application or request a formal hearing. See Rule 6.0 of the Rules for Admission to the Practice of Law (Administrative hearing procedure). The applicant requested a formal administrative hearing. A formal hearing was conducted on August 2, 1996 before Hearing Examiner Michael J. Del Giudice, Esquire. At the August 2, 1996 hearing, the applicant and four witnesses testified in support of the former's good moral character and fitness to practice law. The witnesses all agreed that Mr. Dortch had been no less than forthright about his criminal past and indicated that he took full responsibility for the armed robbery scheme which resulted in the death of a District of Columbia police officer. [8] Mr. Dortch himself was very candid in providing the Board with the details of his life before, during and after prison. The record further consisted of the applicant's entire file with the Board and his curriculum vitae. In a decision dated September 16, 1996, recommending admission, Hearing Examiner Del Giudice concluded that the applicant has accepted and complied with all punishments rendered against him as a result of the heinous crime he committed in 1974; that he has gone beyond what has been asked of him for the purposes of rehabilitation[;] that he has completely rehabilitated himself and is presently a contributing member of society, high community standing, and a person who has presented himself to the Board, Hearing Examiner and to those who have testified on his behalf as a person of good moral character fit to practice law in the State of West Virginia. The hearing examiner further concluded that [w]hile the Board has presented evidence to contradict the same, all such evidence existed in 1974, and none of it carries over beyond that time period[;] and finally, that the applicant's present good moral character outweighs his 20 year old criminal history. During its November 5, 1996 meeting and following review of the hearing examiner's recommendations and the administrative hearing record, the Board voted three to two [9] to recommend to this Court that the applicant be admitted to the West Virginia bar. Accordingly, pursuant to Rule 7.0(a) [10] of the Rules for Admission to the Practice of Law, the Board presented to this Court a certificate of eligibility, certifying that the applicant has been found eligible for admission to practice law in this State. In an order dated November 7, 1996, this Court determined that the Board had not submitted adequate findings of fact and recommendations to enable it to review the applicant's eligibility. The Court, on its own motion, remanded the matter to the Board with directions to submit adequate written findings of fact and recommendations to enable this Court to review the applicant's eligibility. On December 16, 1996, the Board filed with this Court its findings of fact and recommendations. The Board majority indicated that it was persuaded that the applicant's demonstrated course of rehabilitative conduct amply supports the conclusion that he now possesses the requisite character and fitness for the practice of law. Certainly, it was of substantial concern to all members of the Board that the criminal conduct engaged in by the applicant twenty-two years ago was serious in nature and resulted in grave consequences. However, the [Board] is also mindful of its obligation to determine an applicant's present character and fitness qualifications. In view of the past criminal misconduct, Mr. Dortch carried a heavy burden in demonstrating that he has clearly overcome the personal shortcomings and misjudgments that led him into criminal activity.