Virginia Code 54.1-3925.1: Proof of character and fitness required of applicant; character and fitness committee; fees.
A. Before issuing to any applicant a license or certificate to practice law in Virginia, the Board shall have found from satisfactory evidence produced by the applicant in such form as the Board may require that the applicant is a person of honest demeanor and good moral character, is over the age of eighteen and possesses the requisite fitness to perform the obligations and responsibilities of a practicing attorney at law.
Terms Used In Virginia Code 54.1-3925.1
- attorney: means attorney-at-law. See Virginia Code 54.1-3900
- Board: when used in this chapter shall mean the Board of Bar Examiners. See Virginia Code 54.1-3919
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Person: includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof. See Virginia Code 1-230
- Process: includes subpoenas, the summons and complaint in a civil action, and process in statutory actions. See Virginia Code 1-237
- Supreme Court: means the Supreme Court of Virginia. See Virginia Code 1-249
B. In making such determinations, the Board shall conduct such further inquiries, interviews and hearings as the Board may deem necessary. At the request of the Board, the Supreme Court may appoint a separate character and fitness committee, some of the members of which may be persons who are not licensed attorneys, to assist in reviewing character and fitness evidence and to make recommendations to the Board based upon standards adopted by the Board; however, no applicant shall be denied a license on character and fitness reasons except by action of a majority of the Board, after notice to the applicant and an opportunity for the applicant to be heard before the Board.
C. The Board shall from time to time set character and fitness application fees sufficient to cover the costs of the character and fitness process.
1992, c. 734; 1998, c. 796.