Being called for an investigative hearing by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners can be scary for Florida Bar applicants. After putting in so much effort to get this far, the thought of a Florida Bar admission denial is almost unbearable. After all, you are ready to get to work and start paying back those student loans. In this article, we are going to talk about Florida Bar admission investigative hearings and the differences between these informal and formal hearings.
What Is An Informal Hearing?
If your application or the background check for Florida Bar admissions provides the board with any apprehension over your ability to practice law within their standards, you may be called to an informal hearing. During this investigative hearing, you will answer questions under oath. It is in your best interest to consult with an experienced Florida Bar Admissions Attorney before the informal hearing. You can also have your attorney present at this hearing. After the informal hearing, the investigation into your character and fitness may or may not continue.
After an investigative hearing, an applicant may:
- Pass character and fitness and move on to the application process.
- Be offered conditional admission where they must abide by certain criteria.
- Be called for a formal hearing.
What Is A Formal Hearing?
The formal hearing serves to ascertain whether an individual possesses the requisite moral character and suitability to practice law in Florida. Unlike an informal hearing, a formal hearing more closely resembles a traditional trial. A panel comprising at least five Board members presides over the proceedings, ensuring impartiality by excluding those who participated in the applicant’s investigative hearing. During this hearing, the applicant presents their case before the panel, attempting to demonstrate their capacity for ethical legal practice. Some key components of a formal hearing are opening statements, witness testimonies, evidence presentation, defense witness testimonies, and concluding arguments. You want to hire an experienced Florida Character and Fitness Lawyer to offer advice and potentially represent you at your formal hearing.
Florida Bar Admissions: Informal Hearing Versus Formal Hearing
So, what are the main differences between an informal and formal hearing with the Florida Board of Bar Examiners? Think of it as stage one and stage two. If you are called for the informal or investigative hearing, this is stage one. If the board is satisfied that you have the moral character and appropriate fitness to practice law in Florida, then you won’t be called to stage two or the formal hearing. You are permitted to seek legal advice and representation for both types of hearings; this can be advantageous for both stages. However, at the formal hearing, your attorney can represent you like they would in a traditional court hearing.
Conclusion
We hope we have given you a thorough understanding of the differences between the Florida Bar Admission hearings. The first stage is the investigative or informal hearing. Your investigative journey may end here, or you may also be called for a formal hearing, which is more official than the informal hearing. Whichever stage you are at, you can consult with a legal professional who has experience in Florida Bar Investigative Hearings.
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