MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Too often, a criminal record will limit opportunities for scholarship aid. The Appelman Law Firm, LLC, is turning this idea on its head by offering a $1000 law school scholarship where applicants must prove they've already been in trouble with the law.
The Appelman Law Firm Criminal Defense Scholarship is designed to reward those who've made better choices after a conviction – those who have managed to turn their lives around and intend to pursue a career in criminal defense. "There's a real need for passionate attorneys in criminal defense," said Avery Appelman, the firm's founder. "Nothing instills a great passion for justice quite like having suffered through the process yourself."
Appelman isn't alone in thinking a criminal record shouldn't be a bar to making a better life. "There are just too many ways to run afoul of the law for anyone to think they are immune. A mistake can easily lead to an arrest or jail," he said. And attempts to determine just how many criminal statutes there are have failed miserably. An estimate from the government in the 1980's put it at about 3,000 in the federal system. Shortly afterward, a study by the American Bar Association said that was too low, but couldn't come up with a better number. Adding in state crimes only makes the situation worse. For many, avoiding a criminal record has become more a matter of luck than being a good citizen.
By offering a scholarship to those adversely affected, the criminal defense lawyers at Appelman Law hope to help those most in need and bring awareness to the problem. "When a simple marijuana possession charge can ban someone from federal aid, there's something wrong with the system," said Appelman, "As a society, we need to rethink what it means when we slap on the label of criminal, how it adversely affects someone's life."
To apply for the scholarship, applicants have to write a short essay about their experience with the law and submit proof of a police record. Applications for the 2014 scholarship will be taken until May 31st, and the award decision will be made in August. More information and an application form can be found at the firm's website: www.aacriminallaw.com
Other Details:
ELIGIBILITY: Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Have a criminal record
- Be enrolled or accepted to an accredited law school within the United States.
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher.
REQUIREMENTS
The following documents must be provided for consideration:
- A completed application.
- An official copy of a current academic transcript.
- Copy of a police report regarding your criminal record.
- A one page essay of not more than three pages describing your crime, punishment, and how you have changed or overcame your past and what you intend to do in the future as a criminal defense attorney.
The award recipient shall provide the following documentation to obtain the scholarship:
- Proof of Legal Residency in U.S. (i.e. birth certificate, passport, permanent resident card, etc.).
The Appelman Law Firm Criminal Defense Law scholarship is to be used exclusively for college tuition and related expenses. A check for $1000 will be made payable to the award recipient's school to cover these expenses and he or she is expected to submit receipts in accordance with IRS regulations.
Press and Professional contacts for more information should address inquiries to:
(952) 224-2277, Email
Or:
The Appelman Law Firm
Attn: Ryan McGinty
6465 Wayzata Boulevard Suite 120
St. Louis Park, MN 55426
Resource used in this piece:
Wall Street Journal (crime stats): http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748703749504576172714184601654