Wondering what post graduate jobs are available to felons...

aliswifey · #1 08-13-2003, 12:48 AM

My husband is planning on finishing his college education when he is released and is wanting to go to post graduate school....hopefully for law. I am wondering....can an felon become an attorney? Thanks for any help or information!
-Kathe

deb · #2 08-13-2003, 08:58 AM

I don't think they can. They can be a legal assistant. I've talked to a few guys here in Michigan that have a felony record and went to school and are now legal assistants.

Deb

tradewiz50 · #3 09-27-2003, 09:51 AM

NO, every state has a mandate that anyone taking the bar exam must be conviction free.

If they were lawyers before there conviction then they may resume practice after conviction. However, most convicted felons that were lawyers have there bar card terminated after conviction anyway.

toi_ama · #4 09-27-2003, 11:43 AM

The college he's gotten so far will be useful for other professions, though, and he can apply the credits toward post graduate studies in some other area.

aliswifey · #5 09-27-2003, 12:22 PM

Thanks for the information everyone....I figured that was the case...but wanted to double check.

grasshopper · #6 09-27-2003, 12:55 PM

Don't you find it kind of ironic that lawyers have this rule (so far as I know most other professions don't explicitly state it) and yet they are the least respected professionals?
Good luck with finding a path to pursue. I'm in grad school myself right now and it is very important to make sure you are in the right field before investing so much money.

dysphunxion · #7 12-05-2003, 03:47 AM

Actually it is possible to become an attorney after a felony conviction, at least in NY.

There is no directive that says a felon absolutely, 100% cannot be an attorney in NY. Criminial activity falls under the "character & fitness" section of Bar review. The Appellate Division (State Supreme Court, 3rd JD) is responsible for evaluating the character and fitness of persons seeking admission to the Bar. You can make a petition for "advance ruling with respect to past conduct" once you have been accepted by a law school. That way they are forced to look at your past and make a ruling before you even commit yourself to lawschool.

I would imagine it's an uphill battle and you would have to really satisfy the panel that you would be a good/ethical lawyer. Excellent scholastic performance, community work, a good amount of time since the conviction, effective networking, etc.

dmb · #8 12-05-2003, 08:44 AM

It isn't only lawyers. You cannot become a Certified Public Accountant with a felony conviction either. Not only a conviction, but a deferred ajudication disqualifies you.

Karl296 · #9 12-07-2003, 02:13 PM

You also cannot teach in the public schools or be an escrow officer for a land title company.

Public Enemy#1 · #10 07-15-2005, 09:02 AM

I have researched the idea of going to law school for felons and I have discovered that their are several states that would allow you to practice
law with a felony conviction. It is possible, but you will have to go to hell and back to become one. I suggest taking the LSAT test and doing good on that before looking at schools. A brief list of states that allow felons to be lawyers are :

California
Texas
New York
Tennessee
Illinois

There are many more I assure you. Please visit my personal webpage for more info at:http://******************/group/Youthf...der_2ndChance/

streetbolt · #11 10-28-2005, 11:21 PM

My son is a graduating senior with a kinesiology major and is facing the decision to take the state's offer of probation, 30 days in jail, 1,500.00 fine for intoxicated assault in Texas. He and two friends were bar hopping one night when he lost control of his truck in a driving rain storm and almost killed his buddy - who is still in bad shape. He has been in school 6 years and now looks like he won't get his first teaching/coaching job. Does anyone know if you can still coach/teach with this kind of conviction? Can you get deferred probation for this type of charge? He had nothing else on his record.

one_luv · #12 10-28-2005, 11:36 PM

If he is working with minors (i.e. high school), he will be subject to a background check. At a college, he will usually not. I think this is a good question for your lawyer.

loveformyson · #13 10-28-2005, 11:47 PM

You encourage your man to continue his education in law or what ever he wishes, there will be a job out there somewhere for him, and you know what, there is nothing better than felling good about your self with no matter what field. i am a pre law student going after my son. I know that their are good attorneys that hire men who had been in trouble, and have a education. My hats off to him. Good luck girl. The best to you.

loveformyson · #14 10-28-2005, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Public Enemy#1

I have researched the idea of going to law school for felons and I have discovered that their are several states that would allow you to practice
law with a felony conviction. It is possible, but you will have to go to hell and back to become one. I suggest taking the LSAT test and doing good on that before looking at schools. A brief list of states that allow felons to be lawyers are :

California
Texas
New York
Tennessee
Illinois

There are many more I assure you. Please visit my personal webpage for more info at:http://******************/group/Youthf...der_2ndChance/

That is some very interesting information, and very much appreciated, my son is in for along time, however I am in the process myself personally to get my law degree, and can possibly help him get his as well. That is wonderful news. What a wonderful thing this prisons web site, Thank you so much.

Inmate #0510286 · #15 02-04-2006, 02:26 AM

Why do people post here that have no idea what they are talking about? Only 3-4 states in the entire country "MANDATE" that people with felony records cannot practice law. Most states allow felons to practice law, but like many others here have said, it's not easy. C&F board must approve, etc.

A good rule of thumb = If you don't know what you're talking about, don't talk.