Your education is the key to your future. So, a lot is at stake when you find yourself under investigation for an academic offense. A suspension or expulsion could negatively affect certain aspects of your future, including what jobs you qualify for and how much money you make. There are also certain social ramifications of being found guilty of certain misconduct.
Anyone facing a university conduct or discipline hearing should contact one of our experienced student Defense Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert today for a free consultation. We can prepare you for any hearings or meetings, investigate your case to turn up additional information and evidence in your defense and provide strategic counsel throughout the process.
Types of Academic Offenses
Some common forms of academic misconduct are plagiarism, cheating, and fabrication or falsification of data. However, there are many other forms of offenses, and the specific rules and regulations relating to them will vary among schools.
An Attorney can help make sense of the process and explain the stakes to the student and their family in clear, understandable terms. A punishment for this offense could include suspension or expulsion. Therefore, having a Lawyer to make sense of everything can reduce a student’s anxiety around the hearing, allowing them to perform better and make decisions in the process strategically rather than emotionally.
Investigating a Claim
A Lawyer can investigate the accusation against the student and gather additional information and evidence to help the student’s case. Perhaps the testimony of another witness could exonerate the student. Or maybe smartphone or computer data could provide a fuller picture of the events in question.
Often, more information and evidence provide an accused student with a stronger Defense and more options in the investigatory, deliberative, and disciplinary stages of the process. For students and families burdened with classes, job responsibilities, and other concerns in their lives, a Lawyer can absorb much of the work and stress associated with the school-related offense and investigation.
Preparation and Representation
In the hearing stage and beyond, an Attorney can assist by preparing the student for any hearing or meeting by:
- Going over case documents and other evidence
- Discussing the consequences associated with choices during the process
- Preparing answers and explanations to likely questions
- Deciding what case to make and what evidence to offer
The Lawyer can also represent or appear alongside the student at any academic misconduct hearing, where feasible. If a case reaches an unfavorable conclusion, the Legal representative could help pursue any appeal or prepare for the disciplinary stage of the process, if there is one.
Contact an Academic Offenses Attorney Today
One of our academic offenses Lawyers can review your case with you and discuss how to create a path forward to a favorable resolution. We can also work to mitigate the effects of an unfavorable resolution.
Your academic career is important, so having qualified and experienced representation is important, too. Call us at Leifert & Leifert today to schedule a free consultation.
