Ex-Jailhouse Lawyer Sues to Become the Real Thing, in an Expedited Manner
A former jailhouse lawyer wants to get his law license, but there’s at least one thing standing in his way: He has not been able to gain admission to law school.
In a March lawsuit filed in Indianapolis federal court, Clarence K. Carter says he has been rejected 13 times, the Indianapolis Star reports. But Carter says that shouldn’t prevent him from taking the Indiana bar exam.
Carter, who has an associate’s degree in paralegal studies and a bachelor’s degree in general studies, alleges the law school requirement violates his rights to due process and equal protection. The Wall Street Journal Law Blog posted a copy of the suit (PDF).
Erica Moeser, president of the National Conference of Bar Examiners, told the Star she doesn’t support Carter’s quest. “While I live and breathe the bar exam as an important licensing tool,” Moeser said, “I would be the first person to tell you that if that were the sole bar to entry … it would be inadequate.”
Seven states allow some alternative to law school, but all require an extended period of study with a lawyer or a judge.
Indiana is seeking a quick dismissal of the suit, the story says. Even if Carter were allowed to take the bar exam, he faces a second hurdle, the Indianapolis Star says. His felony drug record automatically disqualifies him.
