The Law School application requires applicants to list any pending criminal charges or convictions on matters other than minor traffic violations. This requirement to notify the Law School of all pending criminal charges and convictions other than minor traffic violations continues from the time of application through graduation. Most state bars ask each law school to provide information about whether graduates of the school who have applied for bar membership have been involved in any criminal matters or law school disciplinary matters. (The same inquiry is made of the applicant.) When a student notifies the dean’s office of a criminal charge or conviction, the dean’s office will assess whether the conduct violates the Rules of Professional Conduct for Law Students, whether the matter suggests a serious threat of possible harm to another member of the law school community, or whether it raises a question about the student’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness to become a lawyer.

If these questions are answered negatively, the dean’s office will remind the student that the student may be required to report the matter on the bar application and alert the student of the possible consequences of nondisclosure during that process. If one of the questions above is answered affirmatively, the Law School may initiate action that could affect the student’s enrollment status.