The Committee on Character and Fitness recommends to the Supreme Court who should be admitted. In order to be recommended for admission by this committee, applicants must successfully complete all required examination portions and demonstrate that they meet the requisite character and fitness standards required for admission to practice in Arizona.

What is the character and fitness review?
The character and fitness review is a detailed background investigation that commences upon receipt of a completed Character Report from the applicants. Investigation covers an applicant's background, education and employment, and involves verification with employers, personal and business references, law schools, courts and police agencies, financial/credit institutions, and other jurisdictions as appropriate. The revelation or discovery of any of the following is treated as cause for further detailed investigation by the committee prior to its determination whether the applicant possesses the traits and characteristics evidencing the requisite character and fitness to practice law:

1. Unlawful conduct

2. Academic misconduct

3. Making a false statement, including omissions

4. Misconduct in employment

5. Acts involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation

6. Abuse of legal process

7. Neglect of financial responsibilities

8. Neglect or disregard of ethical or professional obligations

9. Violation of an order of court

10. Evidence of conduct indicating mental or emotional instability impairing the ability of an applicant to perform the functions of an attorney

11. Evidence of conduct indicating substance abuse impairing the ability of an applicant to perform the functions of an attorney

12. Denial of admission to the bar in another jurisdiction on character and fitness grounds

13. Disciplinary complaints or disciplinary action by an attorney disciplinary agency or other professional disciplinary agency of any jurisdiction

Determining factors that assign weight and significance to any applicant's prior conduct include:

1. The applicant's age, experience and general level of sophistication at the time of the conduct

2. The recency of the conduct

3. The reliability of the information concerning the conduct

4. The seriousness of the conduct

5. Consideration given by the applicant to relevant laws, rules and responsibilities at the time of the conduct

6. The factors underlying the conduct

7. The cumulative effect of the conduct

8. The evidence of rehabilitation

9. The applicant's positive social contributions since the conduct

10. The applicant's candor in the admissions process

11. The materiality of any omissions or misrepresentations by the applicant.

Can a convicted felon become a member of the Arizona Bar?
The Rules of Admission do not exclude the ability of a convicted felon to file an application and write the bar examination. A convicted felon, as do all applicants for admission, has the burden of proving, by a preponderance of the evidence, the requisite character and fitness qualifying him or her for admission to the practice of law in Arizona.