May 23, 2018, the California Supreme Court has issued a new California Rule of Court effective June 1, 2018, which will require most active California attorneys to be re-fingerprinted. The deadline to submit new fingerprints without penalty will be April 30, 2019.
The California State Bar will release further mandatory re-fingerprinting instructions, FAQs, forms, a schedule, and other relevant information for attorneys on June 1. Attorneys are advised not to undergo re-fingerprinting until this information is released on a rolling basis starting on June 1 and continuing until early August, 2018.
This ruling will serve to effectively alert the State Bar to all situations in which CA attorneys have criminal records or reportable actions. The FBI and California Department of Justice fingerprint databases will be used to identify these individuals. The CA State Bar is statutorily authorized to receive criminal information including arrest notification from the California Department of Justice for purposes of admission, discipline, and regulation of attorneys.
Any attorney with a record or action who has not previously reported this to the State Bar risks violating Section 6068 of the Business and Professions Code and can be penalized accordingly with disciplinary action.
Actions that require mandatory self-reporting to the California State Bar include, but are not limited to the following:
- The bringing of an indictment or felony charge
- A misdemeanor conviction for a crime committed in the practice of law or in which a client was the victim
- A misdemeanor conviction for a crime that necessarily involves dishonesty or moral turpitude, or an attempt, conspiracy or solicitation to commit such a crime
- A felony conviction
If you are a California lawyer and have been charged with a felony or misdemeanor fitting the conditions listed above, you should immediately contact the Law Offices of Lucy McAllister.
Our law professionals have successfully represented a wide range of California licensees and we are experienced in handling all types of licensing accusations and licensing issues as well as criminal cases. Let us help you protect your professional law license, your reputation, and your livelihood.
For additional information or to schedule a consultation on a professional licensing issue, please contact our law offices today at (877) 280-9944.
