Transcript NEW JERSEY BOARD OF BAR EXAMINERS AND COMMITTEE ON CHARACTER
NEW JERSEY BOARD OF BAR EXAMINERS AND COMMITTEE ON CHARACTER
Susanne K. Johnson, Assistant Secretary Sahbra Smook Jacobs, Counsel to the Committee on Character
Basic Information
https://njbarexams.org
This is an on-line process. Applicants must register on-line. The following must be submitted: Payment Credit card payment may be made on-line money order or certified or cashier’s check ONLY if not paying by credit card You must submit an on-line Character and Fitness Questionnaire!!!
One page signed and notarized application, uploaded after submitting Questionnaire One page signed and notarized Authorization and Release form, uploaded after submitting Questionniare Must reads: Instructions Admission to the Bar Booklet Regulations Governing the Committee on Character Applications are available: Approximately March 1 st for the July exam Approximately October 1 st for the February exam Registration for laptop seats will be conducted beginning approximately May 1 st or December 1 st . Check the website for information.
Exam Sites for 2014: February: Hotel Somerset Bridgewater (Handwriting and Accommodations Testing), Garden State Exhibit Center (laptop) and Atlantic City Convention Center (laptop and handwriting) July: Secaucus, Somerset (including Accommodations Testing), Atlantic City
Application fees
July Exam
$575 if filed by March 30 $850 if filed by April 15 $1100 if filed by April 30
February Exam
$575 if filed by October 31 $850 if filed by November 15 $1100 if filed by November 30 Credit card, certified or cashier’s check or money order only NO APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED AFTER THE FINAL DEADLINE INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS AND APPLICATIONS WITH INCORRECT FEES ARE NOT ACCEPTED *
Laptop Program
The laptop program is open to all applicants An external vendor administers the program Applicants must download software customized for each state. This software locks the computer during the examination and provides the correct framework for the essay responses.
TIMELY registration for the laptop program is currently free.
The laptop program deadlines are different from the application deadlines and will be posted for each exam. Timely fee is $0, first late is $75, and final deadline is $150.
Be sure to complete ALL steps to prepare your laptop for the exam.
Software sometimes requires modifications; read all emails from the vendor EVEN IF you’ve successfully completed all of the laptop steps.
Application Tips
Read the instructions carefully.
Print an Application Checklist, available on the website under Exam Forms.
Proofread your application before submitting.
Check your User Home Page periodically for any new information or updates from your case file manager.
Keep a copy of everything you upload.
Don’t assume anything. Read the FAQ’s on our site, re-read the instructions, email or call our office and ask.
Complete your MBE transfer BEFORE the examination. Grades cannot be calculated without a score transfer.
Application deficiencies typically consist of missing law school certificates or missing MBE score transfer. Deficiency notices will be posted to your User Home Page.
Additional supplemental information may be requested by your reviewing attorney.
Required Supplemental Documentation
Note: Until your character questionnaire is submitted, the above two documents are uploaded and payment is made, your application will NOT be acknowledged.
Law school certificate(s) Fingerprints (each examination) One page application form, signed, notarized, and uploaded One page Authorization and Release form, signed, notarized and uploaded Driver’s abstract(s) For attorneys admitted in another state: Certificate of good standing Disciplinary history
Additional “Supplemental” Documentation
This documentation will vary by applicant. If you have answered “Yes” to any of the questions on the character questionnaire, applicants are REQUIRED to provide additional documentation, such as court records, police reports, copies of licenses, etc.
Additional documentation may be required by your reviewing attorney. This information should be provided promptly to avoid delays in the character review process.
• • • •
Updating Personal Information or Amending Application
If you need to change your address, MBE state, or other registration (personal) information, return to your User Home Page, click on Update Personal Info in the upper right hand corner, and be sure to hit the submit button at the bottom of the page.
To amend your character responses, select Amend Application (can only be done after you submit the character questionnaire), scroll down to the Forms & Progress section on the lower left hand side of the screen, and click on Amend. You may then select the section(s) you wish to amend.
Be sure to SUBMIT the amended questionnaire when completed.
You may amend as often as necessary.
The Bar Examination
New Jersey tests on the last Wednesday of February and July and the following Thursday Wednesday Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) 100 questions in the morning, 100 in the afternoon 6 Hour exam covering Contracts Constitutional Law Criminal Law Evidence Property Torts Thursday New Jersey Essays-Seven subjects tested-may involve other subjects as well 4 essays in the morning; 3 in the afternoon 5 hour 45 minute exam covering: Civil Procedure Contracts Constitutional Law Criminal Law Evidence Property Torts
What happens at the exam site?
Usually a line forms long before the doors open Have your admission ticket and ID for security Once inside the site, find your assigned seat Your proctor will check your ID, take your fingerprints, get your signature, and place a wristband on your non-writing arm.
When it is time, reading of the instructions will begin. LISTEN CAREFULLY to the instructions.
Once the instructions are read and the room is ready, you will be told to begin the exam. The time will be noted and the remaining time will be announced at various intervals during the testing. Clocks are not available at the sites.
STOP writing/typing when told to stop. Continuing after being told to stop is a form of cheating and will likely result in the invalidation of your exam.
What to bring to the exam:
Admission ticket, which is posted to your User Home Page approximately two to three weeks before the exam Government issued photo ID Wallets are permitted but must remain in your pocket during the exam.
#2 pencils on Wednesday; blue or black pens on Thursday (even if taking on laptop). Highlighters are permitted.
Small unwrapped food items, such as cough drops, mints, candies, etc., in a clear plastic bag no larger than 12” by 12” One CLEAR plastic bottle per session. Beverages must be placed on the floor!
Non-digital watches Hygiene products LAYERS of clothing.
Lunch in a paper bag with your name on it. Lunches will be placed in a designated area outside the testing room.
What NOT to bring to the exam!
Purses, bags, etc.
Hats (religious headwear is permitted) HOODIES are not recommended!!!!!!!!! If you don’t want to be cold, bring a sweater or sweatshirt or be prepared to tuck in the hood. If you do not want to tuck in the hood, you will either have to leave the hoodie elsewhere or you can cut off the hood.
Bar review course study materials (make sure to remove from laptop!) Liquid paper or erasable ink Electronic devices. This means cell phones too!
Weapons of any kind Coats (can be left in a designated area but cannot come into the testing room) Ear plugs (they will be provided)
Testing Accommodations
Applicants may request accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The testing accommodations application can be downloaded from the website.
Applications must be submitted no later than November 30 th for the February exam and April 30 th for the July exam.
All supporting documentation must be included. Once a request for an accommodation is received, it is sent to an outside consultant for evaluation. Depending on the condition and the age of medical documentation, additional information may be required.
Applicants have ten days to appeal denied accommodation requests.
Grading the Bar Examination
Applicants need a final averaged score of 133 to pass. The score is weighted 50% essays and 50% MBE.
NJ has three phases of grading. All applicants whose initial combined total score (referred to as Phase I) ranges from 260 to 271.9 are automatically re-graded.
Examples: 1. An MBE score of 139.3 and an essay score of 135.4 = 274.7 Pass 2. An MBE score of 120.1 and an essay score of 133.2 = 253.3 Fail 3. An MBE score of 120.9 and an essay score of 140.1 = 261 = Re-grade each essay, second “blind” grader All scores are final; appeals are not permitted.
Results are typically released in mid-November and mid-May.
Grading Examples
Example 1: Phase 1 scores of 140 on the MBE and a 138 on the essays will result in a total score of 278 and an average score of 139. This applicant would pass after Phase I and would not be regraded.
Example 2: Phase 1 scores of 120 on the MBE and 130 on the essays will result in a total score of 250. This applicant would fail after Phase I and would not be regraded.
Example 3: Phase 1 scores of 130 on the MBE and 134 on the essays. This applicant would go into Phase II of grading. Each of the seven essays would be graded again. The second “blind” Phase II grader is unaware of the score the essay received in Phase I.
Once all Phase II and, if needed, Phase III scores are completed, the total averaged score is recalculated and a final score is given.
Score Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7
Phase II
1 4 4 2 3 P1 P2 Result 3 3 3 3 2 2.5
4 3 4 2 2 Phase III grading 3.5
4 2 2.5
Phase III
If the scores from Phase I and Phase II differ by two (2) or more points, the examiner responsible for the question will re-grade that question only and assign a score that falls within the range of Phase I and Phase II. For Question 3, the examiner can give a 1, 2, 3 or 4.
Release of Results
An applicant will receive one of four types of notification once grades are released: Pass and ready for admission Pass, not eligible to be sworn in, typically due to: Missing certified driver’s abstract from each jurisdiction in which had license in last 7 years Missing Disciplinary history (if admitted in another jurisdiction) Fingerprinting not completed Not certified by Committee on Character member due to non responsiveness, missing documentation or failure to update address Serious issue(s) requiring further investigation and/or a hearing Fail Hold (the applicant will not know if s/he passed!) indicates one or more of the following is missing: Law school certificate Transfer of MBE score Certificate of Good Standing (if admitted in another jurisdiction)
Character Certification Process
In order to be admitted, candidate must pass examination and be certified by the Committee on Character and Fitness.
Complete and submit your Certified Statement of Character questionnaire and required documents; proofread submission and keep a copy.
Be candid. It is worse to conceal than to disclose bad conduct. Be thorough in your disclosures. Make sure to describe the wrongful conduct (a procedural narrative is not enough!) Submit any additional documentation required (academic records, pleadings, police records, driver’s abstract).
Respond promptly to any requests for additional information needed from you.
UPDATE, UPDATE, UPDATE!!!!! (until admission)
Committee on Character Process
The proceedings and reports of the COC are confidential (RG 401:1) One of about fifty volunteer New Jersey attorneys will review your Committee on Character application.
The Committee member may request additional documentation by letter, e-mail or telephone call, and may require a meeting to discuss issues.
Depending on the severity and recentness of the issues, a hearing may be required.
Issues of Concern to the Committee on Character
Nondisclosure of information Academic dishonesty Arrests, whether resulting in conviction, dismissal or expungement Failure to timely file required federal, state, or local tax returns or to pay tax obligations Financial misrepresentation, mismanagement, irresponsibility or neglect Default or arrearages in student loans Allegations of fraud, perjury or false swearing Misconduct in employment
Issues of Concern to the Committee on Character (continued)
Evidence of moral turpitude Having been disciplined as a member of a profession, trade or occupation, including but not limited to the practice of law Failure to comply with Court orders, such as support and alimony orders Domestic violence Abuse of legal process or history of vexatious law suits Current substance abuse Evidence of current psychotic disorders including paranoia, bi-polar disorder, or schizophrenia
Character Hearing Process
Letters are sent to candidates whose files require further investigation and possibly hearings.
Hearings are conducted by a three member panel and a staff attorney.
After a hearing, the panel issues a written report and recommendation to the Supreme Court.
Recommendations include: certify for admission certify with conditions withhold admission The Supreme Court makes the decision on admission after hearing.
Application Process Summary
Submit a timely application and required documents Check the website for updates File additional documents as soon as possible; complete the fingerprinting process before the exam Update the Committee on Character in a timely manner upon the change of anything in the Certified Statement including employment, arrests and admission to another state. Do not wait until motor vehicle or criminal charges are resolved to notify Committee on Character Site assignments will be posted on your User Home Page in early February or July, two to three weeks before the exam Respond promptly to Committee on Character inquiries. Failure to respond may result in the abandonment of your application.
Update mailing address, especially after taking the exam
Thank you!
Website: https://njbarexams.org
Email: [email protected]
Case file manager assignments Last name begins with: A through D E through J K through N O through R S through Z Vacant Jennifer Stanko 609-943-5974 Maureen Notaroberto 609-984-7785 Sandy Sanford 609-777-0208 Giselle Simeon 609-777-0221 [email protected]