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In
re DeBartolo, 111 Ill.2d 1 (1986)
Author: Anonymous
Facts:
Pet. graduated from law school and passed the bar exam the same
year. The following year the admissions committee informed
the Pet of its refusal to certify that he possess the minimum
level of character and fitness. That decision was based on
the Pet’s sworn application which contained inaccurate
educational information and failed to include some of his
residences. The application also listed 200 - 400 parking
tickets while in law school. In addition, the committee
found he had twice falsely represented himself to others as a
police officer.
Issue:
Whether a candidate for entrance into the legal profession can be
denied based on minor infractions, omissions and inaccurate
information on the application to the Bar?
Holding:
The petitioner did not demonstrate the good moral character and
general fitness that are necessary to qualify for admission to
the bar of this State.
Procedure:
After an investigation and hearing, the Committee on Character
and Fitness for the 1st Judicial District refused to
certify that the Petitioner possessed good moral character and
gen. fitness to practice law. Petitioner filed for relief
from that refusal. S.Ct Illinois - Denied Relief.
Rule:
Rationale:
The applicant dismissed the 200- 400 parking tickets as an
important source of city revenue or discounted the fact by
claiming overzealous patrols where he parked. He
provided conflicting testimony at the hearing versus the
information in his application regarding his residency. The
petitioner then claimed that he thought the application wanted
his domicile, but he used several different addresses when
registering to vote, drivers license, and gun registration.
On at least two occasions he misrepresented himself to police
officers, that he was either a police officer or a former police
officer. The petitioner has shown a disregard for the
law.
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