A positive moral character determination is one of several requirements for admission to the practice of law in any jurisdiction. For the State Bar of California, the moral character review process takes several months and examines past conduct to ascertain whether the applicant is honest, fair, trustworthy, observes fiduciary responsibilities, is financially responsible and respects the rights of others and the judicial process. The State Bar of California will look at criminal records, university code violations, employment history, administrative proceedings, driving records, references and more as part of their review. In character and fitness jurisdictions, the bar may also examine untreated substance abuse or mental illnesses and their potential impact on the applicant’s fitness to practice law.
Many state bars will require you to provide a waiver for them to see your USD admission record or to have USD certify what information is included in your record. This record includes all of the documents and information you submitted at the time of admission. Contradictions and deviations in your admission record with the rest of background check may cause significant delays to processing and may affect the determination of truthfulness as part of your character review.
Moral Character Amendment Requirements
Students admitted to the University of San Diego School of Law must promptly amend their admissions application with any previously undisclosed information that takes place prior to matriculation. Amendments to the application must be provided in a timely manner, within 30 days of the event(s), in writing to the Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid via email to lawadm@sandiego.edu.
In addition, prior to Orientation, all admitted students will be required to certify that 1) what they disclosed to the School of Law in their admissions materials was complete and accurate, or 2) that they have an update to make. Any additional disclosures are subject to review and may affect the student’s status at the School of Law.
Continuing Obligation to Report Moral Character Issues
Students at the University of San Diego School of Law have a continuing obligation to promptly disclose moral character information in a timely manner throughout their studies. Timely disclosure is considered to be within 30 days of the event(s) and must be made to the Assistant Dean for Law Student Affairs using this form. Any new disclosures are subject to review and may affect the student’s status at the School of Law.
Moral Character Application
You must submit your Application for Moral Character Determination online at the State Bar's website. The determination process can take as long as six to nine months. Students are encouraged to begin their application no later than Thanksgiving break of their final year. The application requires a great amount of detailed information, so it is vital to begin the process early. The full list of requirements is available online at the State Bar of California's website, as is important information to review prior to beginning your application and, if applicable, rehabilitation factors that may be considered when evaluating applicants.
Students are encouraged to submit their applications no later than the fall semester of their final year at the USD School of Law.