Academic misconduct can lead to serious penalties that a school will impose on the student found responsible for violating its policy. Apart from the college or university sanctions, this misconduct can have severe implications. A conviction at a school level can damage the professional life of a student and this setback is not easy to overcome.
This is the reason those accused of academic misconduct must work with a reliable academic misconduct attorney to help them deal with their case. The lawyer will ensure a school will not mistakenly find the accused responsible for violating its policy.
Academic and Sexual Misconduct
College students can face academic and sexual misconduct accusations. Accusations for academic misconduct include claims that a certain student violated the code of conduct of their school. They can include plagiarism, cheating, theft, and forgery.
These are serious allegations as they can get a student expelled from their school. Also, they can be recorded in the student’s transcript when they face another penalty and are permitted to graduate. This mark on the academic record can be hard to overcome because it can affect a person’s ability to get a job.
On the other hand, sexual misconduct can be worse than academic misconduct. Accusations of sexual misconduct include stalking, harassment, or rape on campus. They trigger the Title IX law which makes sexual discrimination in colleges and universities prohibited.
Colleges that receive funding from the federal government must enforce the law. However, because of this pressure, some schools may violate the due process rights of accused students. If the accused has a lawyer on their side, they can be sure their side of the story is heard.
What to Expect from the Misconduct Hearing?
The majority of those accused of violating the code of conduct of their college or university prefer to deal with their situation without legal assistance. But, a misconduct hearing is held by a panel of school or admin officials, who don’t have a lot of experience in handling this type of case.
As a result, the panel can fall for unrelated evidence or claims that do not have credibility. When this happens, an innocent student who is looking to show their innocence at the hearing can be in a tough position.
If you are facing charges of academic or sexual misconduct in your college or university, you must hire an attorney to help you stand a chance at the hearing. Having a blemish on your academic record will lead to significant hardship and can impair your ability to achieve your dream career.
