Alcohol and Abuse. Read More and Help Others
Fl Bd of Bar Examiners - Criminal, Substance-Alcohol Abuse & Mental Issues at an Investigative Hrg. Alcohol Abuse Treatment. Chronic Alcohol Abuse. Drug And Alcohol Abuse. Alcohol Abuse Effects - 5 Physical Effects of Alcohol Abuse.
Alcohol Abuse Effects
Alcohol Abuse Effects - 5 Physical Effects of Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol abuse effects can be far-reaching and devastating. The effects of alcohol abuse not only have consequences for the drinker but those around her or him as well. Alcohol abuse effects can be both psychological and physical. Alcohol consumption causes changes in behavior. The physical effects of alcohol abuse can be experienced with as little as one or two drinks -- impaired judgment and coordination needed to operate a car safely may result in the drinker having an accident.
Alcoholism is an illness where alcoholic beverage consumption is at a level that interferes with the person's health and negatively impacts social, family or occupational responsibilities. Alcohol abusers are drinkers that may drink excessively at various times with resulting immediate alcohol abuse effects at the time of excess alcohol consumption.
The immediate physical effects of alcohol abuse can be experienced as soon as ten minutes after drinking begins. With continued alcohol consumption on that occasion, the immediate effects of alcohol abuse worsen and become more serious.
Here are five of the immediate physical alcohol abuse effects:
1. Inhibitions Become Reduced - at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05, changes in a person's behavior begins to be noticable. Alcohol abuse effects and reduced inhibitions can put a person at higher risk for actions they would otherwise not participate in, such as sexual activity, continued drinking or illegal drug use.
2. Loss of Muscle Control - at the level of 0.10, slurred speech will likely be evident. Impaired judgement and poor coordination are physical effects of alcohol abuse that can lead to falls and accidents.
3. Memory Loss and/or Blackouts - since alcohol depresses the brain's control mechanisms, as blood alcohol levels increase, periods of time and certain situations and events may not be remembered afterward.
4. Stupor - at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.40, a person can hardly function, acting seriously dazed, disoriented and confused.
5. Coma - at a blood alcohol level of 0.50, a person is at risk for coma, which can be life-threatening. And at this level or higher, respiratory paralysis and death become very much a possibility.
Other alcohol abuse effects that are short-term include nausea, hangovers, headaches and fatigue. The longer a person abuses alcohol over time, the higher the chances of other alcohol abuse effects being experienced and alcohol dependency developing. The most severe form of alcoholism is 'alcohol dependency'. Physical alcohol dependence is characterized by withdrawal symptoms when alcohol consumption is interrupted, by tolerance to the effects of alcohol abuse and by the presence of alcohol-related illnesses.
Malnutrition can develop from a reduced appetite plus inadequate absorption of nutrients in the intestinal tract and from consuming 'empty' calories in alcohol. Calories from alcohol are called 'empty' calories since alcohol contains no beneficial nutrients, vitamins or minerals.
And with continued alcohol consumption and abuse over years, many of the body organs will be affected. Alcohol is especially harmful to the liver since the liver does most of the work of breaking down alcohol. Alcohol destroys liver cells, and it destroys the ability of liver cells to regenerate. This condition leads to progressive imflammatory injury to the liver and eventually can result in cirrhosis of the liver.
Additional long term alcohol abuse effects include damage to the brain, high blood pressure, heart muscle damage, nerve damage, pancreatitis, bleeding in the esophagus, erectile dysfunction in men, fetal alcohol syndrome in the offspring of alcoholic women, insomnia, depression and increased cancer risks.
If you or someone you know may have problems with alcohol and you'd like to learn more about alcoholism and perhaps seek help, there are proven resources available. It is never too late to begin recovery from alcohol addiction and alcohol abuse effects.
Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing
Read about alcoholism signs that everyone should know. David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com - a website of natural health articles, health resources and information for healthier living.
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7:13 PM | Labels: Alcohol Abuse Effects | 0 Comments
Drug And Alcohol Abuse
Drug And Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol is in itself a welcome drink but when teamed with drugs, assumes gargantuan proportions. One offshoot of drug and alcohol abuse is domestic violence when, under influence of spirits, a man turns batterer unconsciously or, as in certain cases, purposely. Alcohol is often used as a cover for low self-esteem or guilt for hurting loved ones. Sometimes it is an excuse made for the purpose of escaping consequences. Domestic violence can take the forms of humiliation, degradation, terrorizing or threats.
Drug and alcohol abuse often has its genesis in troubled childhood, uncontrolled alcohol and drug supply, or low self-esteem. The signs whereby one can detect alcohol and drug abuse are: the perpetual smell of alcohol on the concerned person; changes in moods or attitudes; poor attendance in school, the work place and other activities; new habits of avoiding family and friends; petty thefts; and disappearance of alcohol and salable items from the household.
Equally alarming is the increasing mixing of drugs and alcohol by individuals under the age 21 and giving a different high when compared with marijuana or cocaine. The drugs are sometimes obtained through websites, or through friends’ or parents’ prescriptions without consulting medical experts. Recent studies have identified alcohol abuse being replaced by prescription drugs such as Oxycontin for creating dependence and “enhancing performance”. Right now the number of high school students who use drugs is the highest it has been in 26 years. Adults are not far behind, with nearly six million abusing prescription drugs.
Parents who condone or accept drug use by their children as inevitable do not realize that drug and alcohol abuse results in unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and violence. Alcohol and drug abuse is responsible for the majority of sexual assaults and date rapes amongst teenagers, college students and unsuspecting individuals. Dealing with abuse perpetrators is tough unless a victim comes forward; this generally does not happen because abusers are usually known to victim or are manipulative individuals appearing normal in front of outsiders.
Alcohol Abuse provides detailed information on Alcohol Abuse, Alcohol Abuse Treatment, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Alcohol Abuse Effects and more. Alcohol Abuse is affiliated with Signs Of Alcoholism.
Written By: Kevin_Stith
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7:13 PM | Labels: Drug And Alcohol Abuse | 0 Comments
Chronic Alcohol Abuse
Chronic Alcohol Abuse
Chronic alcohol abuse can show early signs of real potential health problems such as loss of muscle tissue, loss of memory, and loss of testosterone, just to name a few. Alcohol also affects every cell within your body, and if this condition stays chronic, it will start to kill cells, and once a cell is dead, it stays dead. Alcohol is a toxin and will travel through your bloodstream into every organ and cell in your body Liquid vitamins and minerals, because of their superior absorption into our systems can be a very strong asset to someone that consumes too much alcohol. Alcohol is the most abused drug by the world as a whole, but other drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine can affect the desired results of vitamins, but by far and way alcohol is the largest nutritional threat to the majority of people.
Chronic abuse prevents the absorption of vitamins and is often associated with a poor, and in some cases, a very poor diet. Your body needs vitamins and minerals to function normally, and they must be in the correct balance to do so. Dehydration that is often caused by alcohol abuse will interfere with the narrow limits of each ion in our body, such as calcium, sodium, and potassium. A reduction in these ions by abuse can and often does lead to excess thirst which may lead to muscle cramps, as well as the potential for sudden dizziness or fainting spells. If you are prone to getting cramps, especially in the middle of the night, you might want to revisit your alcohol intake.
Although the loss of vitamin B12 is the deficiency most associated with this condition, there are several other critical vitamins and minerals that are affected by abuse of this drug. Folic acid is a nutrient that helps your body to make new cells, including red blood cells, which are critical for carrying oxygen in your body. Vitamin B12 helps to maintain the red blood cells as well as the nerve cells, but folic acid is also a major contributor. Also at risk with a loss of this nutrient is folic acid deficiency anemia, a condition where you don't have enough red blood cells. Most people will be affected by this condition simply because they don't eat enough of the proper foods that contain folic acid, or you have a hard time in absorbing it. Pregnancy also puts you at a risk of this deficiency, and abuse of alcohol during pregnancy can place the fetus at risk of birth defects.
Thiamin or Vitamin B1 is also a nutrient that is threatened by alcohol abuse. This nutrient is especially important in the metabolism of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, as well as the formation of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is especially important to our bodies as it is a protein that is carried by red blood cells and delivers oxygen from the lungs and delivers it to peripheral tissues. This delivery system by your body allows for the maintenance of cell viability. Alcohol abuse destroys this process, thus the killing of your cells.
Zinc is yet another nutrient severely affected by abuse of alcohol. Although your body does not require a lot of zinc, next to iron, it is the most plentiful of all the trace elements in your body. It has been utilized throughout history for wound healing but also plays critical roles in the immune and reproduction systems, and is important to growth, taste, vision, smell, and blood clotting. However, perhaps the most important function of zinc in our bodies is its role in the metabolic process that produces energy. A loss of this nutrient reduces endurance, and in chronic situations, muscle mass as well. This is one of the major reasons people that have drank too much feel so tired the next day. But the damages to your body do not just end there with. Alcohol in your body also reduces testosterone which is critical for development and recovery of muscle.
This toxic drug also slows your body's ability to heal itself. Alcohol holds very little nutritional value, but it works very effectively in reducing the nutrients in your body, especially if abused. In fact, because of its high calorie content, the body treats it as fat, and as a result it breaks down the sugars in alcohol into fatty acids. However, alcohol abuse does more than just destroy nutrients in your body; it affects your appearance as well. Alcohol can affect your skin; (loss of vitamin A) especially if you are prone to acne or blemishes, it can age you prematurely, dries up your hair, cracks your lips, and will also give your skin a puffy appearance.
It also affects your brain, as it deprives your brain of water cells and glucose, the brain's food supply. It can also lead to blackouts, diminished memory, stupors, and in severe cases, comas. Chronic alcohol abuse also causes increased stomach acid production which may lead to heartburn or even ulcers. However, because of the livers role in breaking down alcohol, it is the most effected organ in the body. Chronic conditions will destroy liver cells which normally are in the state of constant rebuilding, can cause fat accumulation around the liver, and may eventually cause cirrhosis of the liver, which is fatal. The list of damages to you body by chronic alcoholism could go on and on, but maintaining the supply of vitamins and minerals in your body effectively is extremely important if you choose to drink alcohol regularly and to excess.
The proper veterinarian care for your puppy, and the appropriate vitamin supplementation for your child and your pet, can almost virtually stop any transmission. I am an avid lover of pets and my wife and I have had several pets throughout our years. We are especially fond of dogs, and we have a 12 year old Dalmatian (our 3rd) and a "mutt" that we rescued when someone threw him away to die in a vacant field.
He found us, nearly starved to death, and weighed about 2 pounds. After severe bouts of mange and severe dehydration, and over 1,000.00 in veterinarian bills, we saved the little guys life, and he is one of the best, if not the best, dogs we have ever had and today is a muscular, fit, and firm 70 pound best friend. After finishing my MBA, which at middle age was not easy, I decided to keep the research work ethics that I acquired, and devote about two hours each night in understanding the health benefits of supplementation for both humans and pets and how they might strengthen our, as well as our pets, immune system in a pre-emptive approach to health rather than a reactionary approach.
Both of my daughters are avid cat lovers, and asked me to help them with health concerns and challenges with their cats. I am not a veterinarian nor claim to be, just a lover of pets that loves to research and pass on some knowledge that might be helpful, or at least stimulating to the thought process. Several of the articles that I have written can be found on my website; Liquid Vitamins & Minerals for Humans & Pets -
http://www.liquid-vitamins-minerals-humans-pets.com/
Written By: Frank_Will
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7:12 PM | Labels: Chronic Alcohol Abuse | 0 Comments
Alcohol Abuse Treatment
Alcohol Abuse Treatment
Alcohol abuse treatment is subjective to an individual’s craving for and intake of alcohol. What starts as a party indulgence can turn into abuse ending in isolation, violent behavior or suicidal tendencies. An effective way to deal with this poison is to communicate with the concerned person or consult support groups, a medical doctor or family member.
Often alcohol abuse is hereditary or genetic. Alcohol abuse is a treatable illness requiring committed participation of the effected individuals, counselors, family members and friends. In chronic cases the treatment is a drawn-out affair necessitating intense rehabilitation and aftercare with periodic counseling. Family and parental contribution works by first educating parents, siblings and other members about the adverse effects of alcohol abuse. They learn to understand the development of self esteem and how to spot opportunities for tackling depression and stress. The knowledge is then passed on to the concerned person.
In certain cases age plays a major role in the success of alcohol abuse treatment. When young – when alcohol abusers are in their teens, 20’s or 30’s – patients can alter circumstances that initially prompted alcohol abuse. They can become convinced to leave alcohol, especially when they had been pressurized by peer groups or there was no one to check on them when young. One reads and hears of children being offered drinks by elders to keep them disciplined or quiet.
In comparison elderly alcohol addicts are often rigid in refusing or clinging onto a habit that has become second nature to them. It is a no-win situation as alcohol dims mental and physical abilities and if ignored or left alone leads to serious physical harm or suicide.
The best and most effective treatment in such cases is abstinence through counseling or alternative forms of treatment such as yoga or meditation. Rehabilitation programs are successful where patients cooperate with assurance from family members, take appropriate high-calorie diets and vitamins, and, most important, avoid meeting with family or friends who are into drinks and drugs.
Alcohol Abuse provides detailed information on Alcohol Abuse, Alcohol Abuse Treatment, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Alcohol Abuse Effects and more. Alcohol Abuse is affiliated with Signs Of Alcoholism.
Written By: Kevin_Stith
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7:12 PM | Labels: Alcohol Abuse Treatment | 0 Comments
alcohol abuse, substance alcohol abuse, Drug And Alcohol Abuse, Alcohol Abuse Treatment, Chronic Alcohol Abuse, abuse alcohol
Fl Bd of Bar Examiners - Criminal, Substance-Alcohol Abuse & Mental Issues at an Investigative Hrg
The great irony of being in a situation to encounter one of these issues at an informal investigative hearing is that you have established yourself as one of the best and brightest, have or are about to graduate law school and you are about to set forth and pass the bar exam.
This interesting situation of having to answer questions about your past indiscretions, your past or perhaps recent use of marijuana or cocaine or alcohol to excess, or the fact that you have been seen by and counseled by a mental health counselor is that you have most likely dealt with these issues and moved on.
Law schools, as you know, screen applicants with extreme focus to be sure the best and brightest are going to be admitted to their school. Then as a distinguished alumni, they will funnel contributions to the law school to make it an even stronger and more viable institution.
You may be interested to know that law schools do not expect everyone who is admitted to law school to graduate. This is to be expected because the rigors of law school and the methods of teaching are not suited for everybody who is bright enough to be admitted. The bottom line here is that you have survived and you see the finish line ahead. Congratulations!
The Florida Board of Bar Examiners is not evil, vindictive or sadistic.
I have had the opportunity to work with The Florida Bar for many, many years and this experience has allowed me to work with and along side those who are actually employed by the Board of Bar Examiners as "prosecuting attorneys" and the distinguished panel of Board members who volunteer their time to guarantee the integrity of this process. Their collective goal is to weed out those who are not fit to practice law. My experience has shown that the Board's application of the stated policies and rules at an investigative hearing is one that allows for an excellent evaluation in the early stages of those who need further scrutiny and those who do not.
Most of you who apply will meet the requirements therein, and pass the bar examination with your character and fitness issues behind you. Some of you will not. This is not to say you are less human, but I have a hypothesis to help you answer the "why me".
You who have had an opportunity to experience life have not been sheltered or ushered through your formal education experience by your parents or some other benefactor.
This all boils down to one basic concept, most who are invited to discuss large credit card debt, former substance abuse, mental health counseling or common real life indiscretions that involve the criminal justice system are normal healthy active and otherwise excellent citizens.
It is just my opinion, but it is my opinion nonetheless, that those of you who have had the opportunity to experience life on its own terms without the safety net of legacy or other helpful heredity, will in the end make the best advocates and counselors of the law.
The application process and investigative hearings:
The application process is the most important stage of your legal career bar none (pardon the pun). I say this because having been a lawyer for 17 or so years and one who has dealt with these matters for many, many years, I have found that the application and how it is filled out is either the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning.
You have either done the right thing, the application's out of the way and the character and fitness issues are now being evaluated, or you have not done the right thing and committed "unintentional suicide" while filling out the application. I say unintentional because you will fill out the application as you have others, and you will see nothing wrong with your answers, but the Board of Bar Examiners may take issue with the "quality" of your responses.
The application process is the best time to find competent assistance. I would urge all of you to do so if you have any of the life issues that I've already mentioned. I can tell you with great confidence, none of these issues will disqualify you to become a lawyer.
Believe it or start writing your own headstone.
I have represented people who have been in prison for more than 5 years because of various crimes such as robbery or as we lovingly said in my prosecution days, "relieving someone else of the responsibility of taking care of their own stuff." They are now members of The Florida Bar and their experiences in life have made them excellent lawyers. I have also represented folks who have had 3 dozen credit cards all of which were charged to the max and then discharged the whole mess through bankruptcy. Everyone of them now has the title "Esquire" after their respective names.
I have seen dozens of applicants who have had various and sundry mental health issues from a single visit to a counselor after a drunken binge, to those who have been diagnosed as bi-polar or schizophrenic or both. They are now practicing lawyers and excellent members of our bar. And, finally, I have seen several dozen applicants who had documented substance abuse problems whether it be alcohol, street drugs or prescriptions. They worked hard at sobriety and are doing just fine.
You may be surprised, but I have found that those who have faced such problems and overcome them are much more likely not, and I repeat not, to have any formal involvement with The Florida Bar disciplinary system unless it's to voluntarily work as a grievance committee member.
Responding to Inquiries from The Board of Bar Examiners after you have filed your application: Those of you who fill out your own application without help will probably be peppered with inquiries from the Board of Bar Examiners. This is your second chance to mitigate or ameliorate future damage to your ability to be admitted. There is just too much to cover in this area, but be that as it may, the same advice applies. Experienced assistance is advisable before responding.
The (Board's) inquiries are artfully drafted and generated because a formal investigation has uncovered issues of interest. There are rules (i.e., proper procedures of how these questions should be answered and in what time frames). Each question must be answered and then sworn to in affidavit form (i.e., you swear you are not fibbing again).
I have had clients who have literally been so busy with internships and job interviews and the excessive pondering of how they are going to pay their law school loans that they have actually ignored the Board of Bar Examiner inquiries. The mail from the Board of Bar Examiners was put to the side to the point where formal charges are not only levied, but actually admitted against them without their knowledge because they haven't actually promptly opened their mail.
At this point, not only is it much more financially cumbersome to "dig out", but it is tougher to overcome some character issues that have now been formed by the Board of Bar Examiners. When "the dog eats your mail" or you don't know the difference between junk mail and "extremely important career threatening" mail, the Board may just form the opinion that you would not do well with a trust account.
As to the investigative hearing, you may be invited to what is lovingly called an informal investigative hearing. These hearings are awkward to those who have "opportunities/issues" with their character and fitness. Character and fitness is carefully dissected here. Most of my colleagues would agree that preparing and attending the hearing alone is a mistake.
It has been my experience that the preparation for these hearings tends to amount to preparations that we trial lawyers routinely take getting ready for a jury trial. This means they try to anticipate every question that might be asked and based on experience and common sense, understand and appreciate the reasons why certain questions or issues may be outlined in your invitation to the "informal" investigative hearing.
Now, everybody has a right to have counsel, but a great many decide to go it alone which often compounds the need for counsel in the future.
The Rules. If you read the rules regulating admissions to the bar here in Florida, you will find there really are not that many of them and they are written in terms that, compared to other procedural areas of law, are general versus detailed. The hearing is described generally to see if you have the requisite character and fitness without clear guidance of how it is measured.
"Rule 3-21 Inquiry process. The Board shall conduct an investigation and otherwise inquire into and determine the character and fitness of every applicant or registrant. The Board take and hear testimony, administer oaths and affirmations and compel by subpoena the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers and documents."
The Possibilities. After the hearing before three Board members, you will receive a notice of Board findings:
a) your notice may say the Board has decided to recommend your admission;
b) your notice may say that the Board has decided to admit you if you meet conditions subsequent. This will delay your efforts;
c) your notice may say that the Board has decided to defer their decision pending further investigations; or
d) your notice may say the Board has decided to file formal specifications and endeavor to disallow your admission altogether at a formal hearing.
If you have not sought counsel up to this point, I would strongly urge that you do so now because there are opportunities for positive future interactions through the Board of Bar Examiners that you may avail yourself of without having to or prepare yourself for and go through the rigors of a formal hearing which are to say the least "challenging".
The Formal Hearing.
The formal hearing is much like trial on the merits of those charges or issues that have filed against you, the formal specifications.
If you look at the rules, for example 3.22-23, the Board's rules regarding bar admissions outline how this process will actually take place. There are some things that are similar to civil procedure and some things that really aren't, but those that are similar to civil procedure are, for example, the answer. Specifications will be much like a formal complaint that may be answered either by admitting, denying or some other form of negotiated result to any specification. You will find that the formal hearing is much like the informal investigative hearing regarding the rules of evidence. There are also some avenues of reciprocal discovery that you can avail yourself of and generally exhibits and witness lists are exchanged beforehand.
Interesting aspects of the process: There are some very interesting aspects concerning this entire process and I will mention them here.
First, the application itself. Although there are some extremely pointed directions concerning the application and how it is to be filled out, there is plenty of room for self-analysis and self-determination.
Second is the investigative hearing. The hearing is announced as the informal investigative hearing. As you walk in, you will find a court reporter who will not only have his/her fancy court reporting machine, but also a tape backup and microphones strewn about to make sure nothing is missed.
You will also find that the Board members that are asking you questions have a document to which they are referring in an effort to formulate questions. This document is the substance and result of the investigation of your application and any and all responses you have made to inquiries. I will tell you what I always tell those who seek my advice - the investigative document being used by the Board members is complete, accurate and unbelievably detailed. For example, they found that my client had not properly withdrawn from a university in the mid 60's (yes, 45 years ago), he/she had actually been administratively expelled. He/she never even listed this "attempt" at secondary education in Ohio, I believe, on any job application in his/her entire life. My client had already passed the bar exam.
I will also tell you that I do my best to match the Board's investigative skills, but they pale in comparison. In other words, this is not informal, nor is it investigative. By the time your invitation is mailed, an exhaustive investigation of your past has left no stone unturned and the investigation is over. The Board learned that my client was a gang member before college. In the hearing, he admitted to selling crack and stealing cars. He had never been arrested as a "gang member" or related activity, and he had not admitted this to me.
Lastly, this investigative report will be the foundation for the formal hearing in regard to preparation for the six member Board. You will never, ever receive a copy of it or get an opportunity to even glance at the contents.
Those of you with some experience will probably compare this to a federal prosecutor's work product. If you review the Rules Regulating the Rules of Admission to The Florida Bar, you will see the various criteria concerning the determination of your character. Some of them are obvious, some are not.
The Board reserves the right to decide after caucusing with each other, subsequent to an investigative hearing or formal hearing, what is believable and what is not. You may not be in agreement with their conclusions, but as you will see, if you review the cases, there are not many options, if any, to overturn the decisions made by the Board of Bar Examiners.
To highlight the opportunities for changing the results at such a hearing, you may want to refer to Florida Bar Board Examiners re: L.K.D. 397 So.2nd 673-675 (Fla.1981). The long and short of it is that the Supreme Court of Florida reserves the right to review the Board's recommendation by reviewing the factual underpinnings produced by the application process, informal investigative hearing and the formal hearing along with all of the exhibits and witnesses brought forward by reviewing the transcripts of these hearings.
The caveat as in cases involving lawyer discipline is that you should be careful what you ask for. I say this because the court may and has overturned the recommendations of the Board of Bar Examiners, when after a formal hearing, has actually recommended the admission of the lawyer and similarly the Supreme Court increased the disciplinary sanctions recommended by a referee where the respondent lawyer has requested a review by that Court.
The only interesting twist in cases involving candidates for admission to The Florida Bar is that the Supreme Court reviews every decision that the Board of Bar Examiners makes and must concur. For some interesting reading, I recommend that you read Florida Board of Bar Examiners Re: M.B.S. Fla. 2007, if you have Lexus, or if you have West Law, it is Florida Supreme Court Case No. SC05-1118.
Lastly, I will tell you from my experience that I don't actually know of a case right off the top of my head where the Supreme Court has overruled the Florida Board of Bar Examiners and let someone in that the Board recommended should not be admitted.
Cases and Discussion: Mental Health Issues: In re Ford, 854 N.E. 2d 501, (Ohio 206). You will find that Mr. Ford was a May 2004 graduate. He was rejected for lack of character and fitness. He had a history of mental health issues and some financial issues. He had filed bankruptcy twice and had been in treatment for years for a medical condition. At the time of the hearing, the committee found that Mr. Ford had his mental issues under control with medication and counseling, but had concerns regarding the stress of practicing law and this condition. As you will see if you read this entire case, the court adopted the recommendation of the Board, which precluded the admission to the bar.
After reading this case, I am confused, but believe the Ohio court backed into their decision by an unidentified concern about the mental health issues by highlighting a perceived pattern of disregard for some drug and alcohol issues. The applicants disregard for the laws of Ohio were cited but it appears that there weren't enough criminal violations or substance issues that would have otherwise kept him out.
Lack of Candor: You will find that when you fail to fess up to prior criminal convictions and the circumstances therein, not only will the Board find out, but they will have a concern over your candor. If you further go to an investigative hearing and continue to stand on these tiny fibs, your initial lack of candor will be exacerbated to the point where you will be asked, more than likely, "to take some time off". An interesting example of this can be found in Florida Board of Bar Examiners Re: D.M.F, 491 So.2d 1104.
Criminal Charges: Mr. Lee King was a peace officer and could serve summons, deliver court papers and was authorized to carry a handgun. He was upset when he wasn't given a full time sworn police officer position. While off duty he got drunk and used his service weapon to shoot two men several times at close range. The victims were unarmed. Apparently because of Mr. King's inebriation he was a poor shot. He was convicted, served time, went through mental health counseling.
He then decided law school was a good career move. He was admitted to the practice of law in Texas in 1994. He later moved to Arizona and began working in a law firm in Arizona. He passed the bar exam and finally, after two rounds before the Board of Bar Examiners, the recommendation was that he be admitted to practice law and as in Florida, Arizona has the procedural caveat where the supreme court reserves the right to review all recommendations by the Board of Bar Examiners. The Supreme Court stated that Mr. King would have to show an extraordinary amount of rehabilitation. The court said he would have to establish that he accepted responsibility for his past conduct and identified and overcame the weaknesses that led to the unlawful conduct. In his bar application he stated that due to his strained emotional state and the anti-police sentiment of the day (2003) that it was in his best interest to plead guilty to one charge and throw himself upon the mercy of the court rather than fight the charges. The court felt that King's explanation was a bit lacking in sincerity and common sense. He never became a lawyer in Arizona. Perhaps he is a "packing heat" Texas lawyer!
Closing remarks: To borrow a theme from some commercials of the day: "The cost of law school $100,000.00. The cost of preparing for and taking the Bar exam $5,000.00 . Perhaps the best feelings you will ever have ...hearing that you passed the bar exam. The cost of not having to explain to 'everyone' why you have a law degree, passed the bar exam and can't practice law ... PRICELESS."
Paul A. Remillard is a sole practitioner and a member of The Florida Bar and Colorado Bar. His practice focuses on lawyer discipline defense and bar admissions. Mr. Remillard worked for The Florida Bar for nearly 10 years. During his tenure at The Florida Bar, he authored the Ethics School and founded the Professionalism Center. He is a graduate of Boston College and Nova Southeastern School of Law. Mr. Remillard may be contacted by e-mail at rem-law-paul@hotmail.com or visit http://www.remillardlawfirm.com
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