NSW Can You Become a Lawyer with a Criminal Record?

[Aleksander]

Hi,

So if someone has been convicted and sent to jail for a few years for dishonesty offences, is there any chance that they can become a lawyer despite having a criminal record?

If it has been 10 years since the convictions and they have been crime-free for that period of time, are they eligible?

Thanks

 

[Tim W]

Is it you?

 

[Aleksander]

Yes it is.

 

[Tim W]

Your question is in two parts.

The first is - are dishonesty offences a bar to admission?
Answer - often, yes.
Offences in that class, especially when serious enough to land you in gaol
can indeed be regarded by the board as conclusive, irrebuttable evidence of poor character.
Much depends on what you actually did (no, don't tell us).

The second is - if I can get spent convictions, will I be able to conceal (that is, not be required to disclose)
those offences to the Admissions Board?
Answer - Failing to disclose them, even when spent, may bring your intergity into question
in a way that even the offences themselves may not.

Two suggestions:

1. Write to (don't just ring) the LPAB, and ask.

2. Getting into uni to study law is less of a problem - most any uni will take your money.
But, getting admitted to the profession afterwards, for people like you, that's a seperate hurdle.
Don't put down a hundred grand on a law degree unless you are quite certain
that your offences will not see you refused admission for lack of good character.