Stetson University College of Law

CHARACTER AND FITNESS DETERMINATION

As part of the application process, many jurisdictions will complete a character and fitness determination. For a summary of these procedures, consult http://www.abanet.org/legaled/publications/compguide/chart2.pdf.

The Florida Board of Bar Examiners conducts an extensive character and fitness determination. For additional information on this process, consult Rule 3 of the Rules of the Supreme Court Relating to Admission to the Bar, which is available at http://www.floridabarexam.org/; select "Rules." Please note that this investigation typically takes 6 to 8 months, which means that applicants should file as soon as possible so as not to delay admission.

The Florida Board of Bar Examiners web site provides the following information:

To obtain information regarding specific character problems, you can review published decisions of the Supreme Court of Florida. These cases are titled "Florida Board of Bar Examiners re" followed by a bar applicant's name or initials. For example, Florida Board of Bar Examiners re R.L.W., 793 So.2d 918 (Fla. 2001); Florida Board of Bar Examiners re J.H.K., 581 So.2d 37 (Fla. 1991); Florida Board of Bar Examiners re Kwasnik, 508 So.2d 338 (Fla. 1987). These cases are easily accessed by any computerized legal research service.

In addition, Florida Supreme Court Rule Rule 3-11 indicates that a record manifesting a deficiency in honesty, trustworthiness, diligence, or reliability may constitute a basis for denial of admission. Any of the following may be considered by the Board of Bar Examiners to be a basis for further inquiry before recommending admission:

Unlawful conduct
Academic misconduct
Making or procuring any false or misleading statement or omission of relevant information, including any false or misleading statement or omission on the Bar Application, or any amendment, or in any testimony or sworn statement submitted to the Board
Misconduct in employment
Acts involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation
Abuse of legal process
Financial irresponsibility
Neglect of professional obligations
Violation of an order of a court
Evidence of mental or emotional instability
Evidence of drug or alcohol dependency
Denial of admission to the bar in another jurisdiction on character and fitness grounds
Disciplinary action by a lawyer disciplinary agency or other professional disciplinary agency of any jurisdiction
Any other conduct which reflects adversely upon the character and fitness of the applicant

As part of the character and fitness determination, the Board of Bar Examiners will compare information you provide in your application with material you submitted to Stetson University College of Law as part of the application process. Please remember that you are under a continuing obligation to update your admissions file, especially if you are arrested, charged with, or convicted of a crime. For Stetson's policies on updating your admissions information and disclosing other information to the school, consult The Student Code of Professionalism and the "Amendments to Admissions Application" policy at http://www.law.stetson.edu/policies/AmendmentstoAdmissionsApplication.pdf.

If you have matters that you believe may prevent you from being admitted, you should consult an attorney.

If you are experiencing a problem with substance abuse, you should consult Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc. at (800) 282-8981.

Stetson University College of Law
1401 61st Street South

Gulfport, Florida 33707-3299
727-562-7800
Tampa Law Center
1700 North Tampa Street