At the age of 16, Reginald Dwayne Betts committed a carjacking that resulted in a three-felony conviction and an eight-year prison term. Two decades later, the Connecticut Bar Examining Committee has approved the Yale Law School grad to practice law within the state. The process wasn't an easy one for Betts, whose application was flagged pending investigation into his “moral character,” but after being flooded with letters and endorsements supporting his admissions, Betts' application to the bar was approved on September 29th. "I'm happy that they made that decision," Betts told the New Haven Register. "I'm just grateful for the huge amount of support people gave me."

The former felon turned award-winning author and poet, excelled as an honor student and class treasurer at Suitland High School in District Heights, Maryland just outside of Washington D.C. Despite being tried as an adult for a carjacking he committed as a teenager, Betts obtained a full academic scholarship to Howard University upon his release which was rescinded after the College learned of his prior convictions. Despite a rocky start, he went on to graduate from the University of Maryland, win a Harvard University fellowship and earn a Yale law degree.

"I think that his story is a remarkable story," said former Connecticut Judge Anne Dranginis, chairwoman of the Bar Examining Committee. "Mr. Betts demonstrated his commitment to others who may have lost their way. He has a great deal to offer, in addition to what he has already done." Betts, whose ultimate goal is to become a law professor, recently completed an internship in the New Haven public defender's office and has a clerkship lined up for next year with Judge Theodore McKee at the federal appeals court in Philadelphia.

Talk about turning lemons into lemonade. Kudos to Betts for a job well done!

Yale Law

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