OT - Do I have to disclose this to be admitted to the bar?

I can't believe that if you didn't put it down, and they somehow found out you cheated on a 10 point quiz in high school, that they would look down on that. But just put it down. At least they'll think you're a real honest guy.

You will be fine either way. If you put it down, they won't care. If you don't put it down, they won't know. If you don't put it down and they find out, they still won't care because they would understand that it's so minor that you would have never thought you had to report it.

I got detention once in HS for stealing a bag of Funyuns (true story) from the cafeteria. just sayin'

Really, the most important question in response to your question (that some have addressed here sort of) is what the actual question on the application asks. This is a tough question to answer in the abstract (i.e. without knowing exactly what the question asks). But with that said, just like almost everyone here has said, the best approach is always to err on the side of disclosure.

Put it down. In Illinois, they will ask about academic dishonesty. Be honest about it. At the worst, you'll probably have to have an interview. I had to have an interview, actually, and it was basically me being open and honest and admitting all past missteps. At the end of it (like 30 minutes) he picked up the phone, called the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar, and confirmed that I was "fit." I was sworn in at the ceremony like a week later. Point is, err on side of disclosure, and don't worry. Be honest and contrite, and you'll be fine.

As said many times above, people make the bar with much more serious indiscretions than High School plagarism; I doubt any examiners would hold it against you. HOWEVER, if you don't disclose and they pick up on it, you will get the Nth degree asking why you didn't disclose. So - disclose it. (I am sooooo not jealous of you doing that app - it's been 5 years since I did mine....)

Dude, cheating on a 10 point quiz? Seriousily talk about a poor expected utility jduegement there. Go big or go home (just kidding). Might as well disclose it and show remorse. If you have any political aspirations the other side is going to dirt digging someday and will try to blow it up. Speaking as a PoliSci major, if I was trying to smear you I'd go after you for "Failure to disclose academic dishonesty on your bar exam"* and then try to get everyone whipped into a lynch mob before you could clarify it was just a 10 point quiz. So come clean and bury it just to be sure. *It's lame, but if you had no other skeletons in your closest and we needed some kind of attack ad...

I would say disclose. The whole thing about political aspirations--I don't recall a candidate's HS record being brought to light. Regardless, if you haven't cheated since, then I would imagine it shows that you learned your lesson and that it was just a HS slip-up, especially since you admitted to it. Besides, I'm sure that's bubkis compared to some of the other shit other people up for bar admission have pulled (or will pull!).

Odds are no question will call for it. Many states only ask about felonies when it comes to disclosing crimes. Some may not ask a question that relates to high school cheating. Whatever the question calls for, disclose completely. But don't feel compelled to disclose that which the state does not ask.

lawyers make future lawyers jump through. They wouldn't want just any riffraff to become a member of their honest, stand-up profession.

A high school quiz? No.

Disclosure would probably be your best bet. The odds are pretty good that it would be dismissed as a minor infraction from a long time ago, and it might be seen as a positive that you were up front about it. Worst case someone might call and ask about it, and you can be ready with the "after-school special" answer about how you learned your lesson when you realized that it was about the principle, not the 10 point quiz, blah, blah, blah. If you have nothing major to disclose since that point, you are in good shape. These are the hoops you have to jump through to join the cartel. Welcome to the profession.

From someone who was admitted fairly recently, the opportunity to disclose evidences of prior bad conduct shouldn't be taken lightly, but it also shouldn't strain your good sense of what ought to count towards required disclosure. Those who will admit you need to know you're not going to be an "evil attorney" under suspicion and constant accusation of unethical practice (i.e., commingling funds, stealing from clients, committing perjury, etc.). They read thousands of applications for admission. Redflags are felony indictments, misdemeanor and felony convictions, long records of poor credit decisions that lead to litigation, and/or a history of fraudulent conduct or activity. Academic dishonesty would fall into the tent of the latter, but I suspect only if the charges lead to actual recorded administrative penalties. IMHO, a detention served in HS should stay in HS. Don't lose sleep over it.