Plagiarism: it follows you after law school

I just read two eye-opening cases about law-school plagiarism.

1. A student was accused of plagiarism in law school but was exonerated by the school. When he applied for admission to the state bar, the bar re-considered his plagiarism case and decided the school had been wrong: he was guilty of plagiarism and should be denied admission to the bar. On appeal, the state supreme court affirmed the denial of admission and held that the state bar was not bound by the school's conclusion on the plagiarism charge.

2. A student was accused of plagiarism in law school and admitted wrongdoing, agreeing to a one-semester suspension. When he applied for admission to the state bar, the bar reconsidered his plagiarism case. His answers to questions from the hearing board were evasive and less than candid. The bar denied him admission, and he appealed. The state supreme court affirmed the denial of admission.

I feel bad for these applicants, but it is nice to see that the state bars are taking plagiarism seriously.