You might think that you don’t need an attorney if you have been accused of academic misconduct. The consequences may not be as severe as the criminal cases. However, academic life makes a great difference in everyone’s life and occupies a special place. You might need to get in touch with an academic misconduct attorney to discuss your case and take suggestions. It should also be noted that your college or school might not allow an attorney to present your case in front of the officials. Even if they allow, he may not be able to speak, fight, the question on your behalf.
Understanding academic misconduct
Every school, college, or university has its own code of conduct. The most common ones include drug usage or possession, drinking alcohol in college premises, cheating, bullying, public intoxication, underage drinking, sexual harassment, theft, sexual assault, rape, gang activities, bomb threats, and any other activity that can cause physical or mental harm to any student or faculty member.
Depending on the severity of the misconduct, it will be dealt with in the educational institutes. If the crime is serious, it will go to criminal court. However, both scenarios are different and should be reviewed by experts so that proper measures should be taken.
The consequences of an academic misconduct
Depending on the set of rules of an educational institute, penalties can be long-lasting and serious. Some of the consequences include loss of student housing, probation, suspension, loss of financial aid or scholarships, loss of privileges. The serious penalty may result in expulsion from the campus.
If the misconduct comes into light after you have received your degree and passed out from the institute, it may be rescinded. It can adversely affect your job-hunting especially if the degree is required and ruin your professional life as a whole.
Can an attorney become a part of a disciplinary hearing?
You will have to go before the disciplinary penal after you have been charged with academic misconduct. The penal consists of fellow students, college staff, and faculty. Depending on the school’s procedures, the hearing can be formal or informal.
In some institutes, the students are allowed to attend the hearing with an advisor, who may not be an attorney. However, it is always a good idea to consult an attorney right after you get the notification. An attorney may or may not be allowed to attend the hearing but he can prepare you for this meeting in the most efficient manner.