Failing Mississippi bar exam could mean return to law school

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Changes in rules for those seeking to become a lawyer in Mississippi could result in some returning to law school.

The Mississippi Supreme Court says a person seeking to become a lawyer has to pass the bar exam within three attempts or they will have to go back to law school for at least 12 semester hours before they can retake the test. The Clarion Ledger reports the change comes after the annual passage rate on the Mississippi Bar exam has dropped from 79 percent in 2014 to 48 percent last year.

The order, written by Justice Leslie King, was filed last week. The rule change was adopted at the request of the Mississippi Board of Bar Admissions. It's to take effect with the February 2020 bar exam.

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Information from: The Clarion Ledger, http://www.clarionledger.com