Is 68 too old for law school?

[Anonymous]

I have a strong urge to study law and become a criminal law attorney. I'm in D.C. which has several law schools, with at least one (Catholic) having a night school. Yes? No?

[Anonymous]

It's too old to be an attorney. It's a great age to go back to school. I know a retiree who basically collects masters in all the areas they wanted to study. He's loves being a professional student

[Anonymous]

My friend's mom started law school after the last of her six daughters left for college. They were all super supportive. She was in her 50s but people are living longer now. Why not take 1 or 2 classes as a trial run?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a strong urge to study law and become a criminal law attorney. I'm in D.C. which has several law schools, with at least one (Catholic) having a night school. Yes? No?

You’d get out at 72 at the youngest. Then it’s very very hard work, especially criminal law when you’re literally tasked with keeping clients out of jail. Yes you’re too damned old.

[Anonymous]

OK, thank you. I wanted to be an attorney -- in particular, a public defender. I don't need to make money. But if the thinking here is no, I'd accept that. Thank you.
-- OP

[Anonymous]

I say not too old. If you want to do it, do it. If you turn out to be a decent attorney maybe you could then run for president. Don't let anyone tell you you're too damn old for anything. I'd say the only thing you have going against you is your need to crowd source this decision on DCUM, that's a bad sign.

[Anonymous]

yes, its too old but primarily because it's not very interesting as a "field of study". And tuition is very expensive. And there's plenty of ageism among attorneys (I am a 65 year old retired attorney)
However, if you really must try to become a "criminal law attorney" you should go for it.

If you are just interested in the law, take university classes in related fields such as "history of law". or "US Constitution" or even criminology

[Anonymous]

I know a lady in her 80s who still practices real estate. Louise Hay started "Hay House" publishing house in her 70s. Follow your passion, OP. Its never too late.

[Anonymous]

OK, I get it. Thank you.
-- OP

[Anonymous]

Would becoming a court appointed special advocatefor minors in the system be something you'd be interested in?

https://www.casadc.org/volunteer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would becoming a court appointed special advocatefor minors in the system be something you'd be interested in?

https://www.casadc.org/volunteer

This is a great idea.
Or, if you really want to go to law school and can afford to go, then after graduation you could work in legal aid, helping people with the day to day stuff that really affects their life: landlord issues, small contracts, getting benefits that are owed to them.

Somebody who is looking at a criminal sentence deserves an experienced defender, and you don't have time to get really experienced, sorry.

[Anonymous]

I believe all of the law schools in the area (American, GW, Georgetown, Catholic, Howard, UDC) all have night programs. GMU in Arlington and the law schools in Baltimore also have night programs.

That said, I think that you will find law school time consuming, expensive, and boring because you'll need to take non-criminal law courses if you plan to take the courses toward a degree. But contact https://www.pdsdc.org/ and see how you could volunteer in a non-attorney capacity. Attorneys need paralegals, investigators, and anyone who is good at research and writing. As long as you are working under the supervision of a licensed attorney, you might be able to do some really interesting work.

[Anonymous]

So, you have a strong urge to be an attorney, you're in the later stages of your working career and you've decided to rely on an anonymous message board about universities for guidance? Seems better than speaking with, I dunno, Public Defender's offices, lawyer, law firms.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely speak to someone in the admissions office. Catholic schools are social justice minded and can guide you on whether this is realistic. In my law school we had some retirees, one was a doctor who wanted to go into malpractice law and make bank. He probably was almost your age. Then in my career I dealt with a lot of legal aid attorneys who were old and has been practicing over 40 years (I don't know how they dealt with the stress). Public defender is a low paid job and usually a stepping stone to DA or private practice so they might be happy to get someone who wants to be there, or there are loads of other things you can do on a volunteer or paid basis to help indigent people.

This is all assuming you are well off, can afford to pay and not make much if any money, and believe you can pass the bar exam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a strong urge to study law and become a criminal law attorney. I'm in D.C. which has several law schools, with at least one (Catholic) having a night school. Yes? No?

You’d get out at 72 at the youngest. Then it’s very very hard work, especially criminal law when you’re literally tasked with keeping clients out of jail. Yes you’re too damned old.

She’s gonna be 72 regardless….
She doesn’t have to be the primary attorney but she could be a valuable to add to a diverse team.