Academic misconduct refers to dishonest practices (such as cheating or lying) and behavior that interferes with a student’s ability to do or turn in their work. Each school has rules about what it considers to be misconduct and what happens if a student engages in it. If you are in this situation, know that you do not have to go through this alone.
At Leifert & Leifert, our team of seasoned defense attorneys helps you fight these charges and protect your standing with this institution and any future schools you attend. Our Boca Raton academic misconduct lawyers want to understand your perspective, and have the knowledge and training to help you overcome this obstacle.
What Is Academic Misconduct?
Every school has its definition of academic misconduct, which they usually put in the institution’s handbook. Any behavior that violates the school’s handbook may qualify as misconduct, whether it is intentional or unintentional. For many institutions, academic misconduct includes behavior that gives a student an unfair advantage or disadvantage, or is against the school’s ethical code.
For example, when someone cheats on a test, they give themselves an unfair advantage over the other students. In contrast, if someone prevents another student from getting their work done or turned in (such as by stealing their homework), this unfairly disadvantages that student. Examples of academic misconduct include copying someone’s work, paying someone to do their homework, taking the teacher’s answer key, or lying to faculty members.
Mistakes happen, and with the enormous pressures to perform, you might make a small misstep. Or you might have done nothing wrong, but another student falsely accused you of doing so. Regardless of the reason, when you are facing academic misconduct charges, you will benefit from reaching out to one of Leifert & Leifert’s Boca Raton lawyers who regularly handle these cases.
What Are the Consequences of Academic Misconduct?
Every school has its own rules about what happens if someone commits misconduct. Typically, it begins with investigating the charges, which might include interviewing the students, faculty, and others involved. If plagiarism is an issue, the investigators will likely look closely at the problematic homework or test.
Once they make a decision about the situation, the investigators might hold an academic hearing to learn more information and decide what to do next. The penalties for committing misconduct range from an official warning, to dismissal from the class, to school expulsion. Alternatively, the school may put you on academic probation and make you work with school counselors before you can enroll in classes again.
Class attendance and participation can be a critical component of your anticipated career, whether at the high school, community college, or university level. Being charged with academic misconduct can change your professional trajectory. By working with a Boca Raton academic misconduct attorney, you can arm yourself with the knowledge you need to fight back against these accusations.
Call a Boca Raton Academic Misconduct Attorney to Discuss the Next Steps
Instead of trying to clear your name alone, it is best to hire someone who is familiar with school codes of conduct and how to navigate these cases successfully.
Leifert & Leifert is here to lift your voice during the administrative procedure and tell your side of the story. We have helped many others in similar situations and welcome the opportunity to advocate for you. Contact our Boca Raton academic misconduct lawyer to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can assist.
