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[SPOILERS for Suits]

In season five of the TV series Suits, Mike Ross, who has practised law for a few years without a degree and passing the Bar himself, is tried for fraud. The jury's verdict is revealed to be not guilty.

Does this mean that Mike could continue to practise law without a licence and never face fraud charges again, or could a new fact pattern emerge if he continued to practise without a licence post-acquittal, opening himself up to prosecution again?

David Siegel
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BakedAlaska624
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1 Answers1

19

No

The charge would more likely be "Unlicensed practice of law" (UPL), possibly in addition to a charge of fraud. Each time that Rose engages in UPL would be a separate offense, and could lead to a fresh trial.

This is no more covered by double jeopardy than a serial killer gets a free pass on future killings because s/he was acquitted of one particular murder.

The exact definition of UPL varies by state, but making a living as a lawyer without a license is UPL in every US state, I think.

For a work of fiction in which UPL is central, see The Rooster Bar by John Grisham.

David Siegel
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