Frequently Asked Questions: Moral Character Determinations
January 22, 2024
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9. What are the criteria for disclosing traffic violations? Do I have to disclose speeding
tickets and other moving violations? Do I have to disclose all driving violations, no
matter when they occurred?
Traffic violations that resulted in a misdemeanor or felony conviction must be disclosed
on the moral character application, as well as the specific examples provided in the moral
character application. Violations must be disclosed without regard to when they
occurred.
DEBT
1. Am I required to disclose a disputed debt on my moral character application? Am I
required to disclose student loan defaults?
Yes. The moral character application requires disclosure of all debt that is delinquent at
the time the application is submitted. Applicants must also disclose all incidents of
student loan default, even if the loan is current at the time the moral character
application is submitted.
2. Do I need to provide a credit report with my moral character application?
Maybe. If you disclose a current student loan in default or delinquent debt on the moral
character application, you must provide a current credit report. A credit score summary
is not acceptable in lieu of a complete credit report if one is required.
3. Will I be denied admission solely because I owe money on my credit card, or I have
declared bankruptcy?
No. Neither indebtedness nor bankruptcy necessarily is relevant to a moral character
determination. Moral character issues may arise if indebtedness was handled
irresponsibly, or bankruptcy was used to defraud creditors.
DISCIPLINARY HISTORY: MILITARY, PROFESSIONAL, ACADEMIC
1. Do I have to disclose undergraduate and law school discipline on the moral character
application?
Yes. If you have been found to have violated a college, university, or law school honor
code; or have been dropped, suspended, warned, placed on disciplinary probation,
expelled, or requested to resign or allowed to resign in lieu of discipline by any college,
university, or law school; or otherwise have been subjected to discipline by any such
institution or been requested or advised by any such institution to discontinue your
studies, you must disclose the incident on the moral character application.
2. How will a military discharge “under” or “other than” honorable conditions or a
“dishonorable” discharge affect a moral character determination?
A nonjudicial punishment, court-martial, resignation in lieu of court-martial,
administrative discharge, or a discharge that is not “honorable” may be relevant to a
moral character determination, but it does not automatically exclude an applicant for
admission to practice law in California.