Arizona is now home to approximately 48 colleges, universities and other postsecondary institutions with over 448,000 students enrolled full-time. Students often make tremendous sacrifices in terms of time and money in pursuit of their educational goals. Students faced with a potential violation of academic conduct may be placing their goals at risk. Disciplinary guidelines contain potential sanctions or penalties that may be imposed, which typically include suspension or dismissal from the institution. The disciplinary process usually involves a hearing where students may defend against the allegations. Those who receive an unfavorable ruling generally have a short period of time to file an appeal. This is best pursued with assistance from an attorney. The Lento Law Firm aggressively defends college & university students in these matters.
Examples of Academic Misconduct
- Usage of a “cheat sheet” during an exam
- Having someone else take your exam
- Communicating with others in efforts to cheat on an exam
- One of the many potential forms of “collaborative” cheating
- Submission of a report or paper written by someone else
- Plagiarizing someone else's work or ideas without citing the source
Records & Transcripts Showing Evidence of Misconduct
The Federal Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) was put in place to prevent unauthorized disclosure of student records and transcripts. Unfortunately, admissions personnel from another college or graduate program that you are seeking entry to are likely to review your records. It is possible that evidence of prior misconduct could prevent your admission and hinder your future.
Understanding the Appeals Process
The procedure for the appeals process is typically outlined in the written disciplinary guidelines. Initiating the appeal involves the submission of a written document that justifies your reasoning for reconsideration. Examples of grounds for an appeal include that the written procedures were not adhered to and that the penalties imposed are excessive. The possibility for success in any appeal is based on the effectiveness of the argument contained in this document.
Appeal Details: The University of Arizona
Each school will have specific policies for the allowable grounds for an appeal and also what specific steps must be followed. Students at the University of Arizona, for example, may appeal a decision to the University Hearing Board. The Dean of a department may allow a student appeal when they believe that “reasonable persons would disagree” on if the allegations are true. Appeals must be filed in writing within a period of no more than 10 days. The Hearing Board will review the appeal within 30 days. Students have a right to be represented by an advisor or attorney.
How Your Attorney Assists With an Appeal
Your attorney will help you in crafting a highly impactful written appeals document. Keep in mind that most schools require that this document is submitted within just a matter of days. Your attorney may engage the disciplinary administrators in negotiations that could lead to more favorable outcomes such as reducing the severity of sanctions.
Student Academic Disciplinary Defense in Arizona
Students in Arizona faced with difficult sanctions following violations of academic misconduct may want to consider legal counsel. Attorney Joseph D. Lento has the experience necessary to successfully appeal findings according to a school's appeals process. Contact the office today for a consultation at (888) 535-3686.
- American Indian College of the Assemblies of God, Inc.
- Argosy University Phoenix
- Argosy University Phoenix Online Division
- Arizona Christian University
- Arizona College of Allied Health
- Arizona State University
- Arizona Western College
- Brown Mackie College Phoenix
- Brown Mackie College Tucson
- Central Arizona College
- Chamberlain College of Nursing Arizona
- Chandler/Gilbert Community College
- Cochise College
- Coconino Community College
- College America Flagstaff
- CollegeAmerica Phoenix
- Collins College
- DeVry University Arizona
- Dine College
- Eastern Arizona College
- Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott
- Estrella Mountain Community College
- Everest College Phoenix
- Everest College Phoenix
- Fortis College Phoenix
- GateWay Community College
- Glendale Community College
- Golf Academy of America Chandler
- Grand Canyon University
- International Baptist College
- ITT Technical Institute Phoenix
- ITT Technical Institute Phoenix West
- ITT Technical Institute Tempe
- ITT Technical Institute Tucson
- Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Scottsdale
- Mesa Community College
- Mohave Community College
- National Paralegal College
- Northcentral University Prescott
- Northern Arizona University
- Northland Pioneer College
- Paradise Valley Community College
- Phoenix College
- Pima Community College
- Prescott College
- Rio Salado College
- Sanford Brown College Phoenix
- Scottsdale Community College
- South Mountain Community College
- Southwest University of Visual Arts Tucson
- The Art Institute of Phoenix
- The Art Institute of Tucson
- Tohono O'Odham Community College
- University of Advancing Technology
- University of Arizona
- University of Phoenix Online Campus
- University of Phoenix Phoenix Hohokam Campus
- University of Phoenix Southern Arizona Campus
- Western International University
- Yavapai College
Regrettably, an academic misconduct finding of responsibility can derail an accused student's academic and professional goals and some students and parents do not recognize this concern until it may be too late. If a student is found responsible for academic misconduct charges, in addition to the short-term consequences such academic and disciplinary sanctions, there will be long-term consequences. Internships, graduate school opportunities, and employment opportunities can all be adversely impacted by a finding of responsibility.
For these reasons and more, it is critical to properly address such concerns as early as possible in the disciplinary process. There are times, however, that it necessary to appeal an adverse outcome, and Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm have unparalleled experience passionately fighting for the futures of his clients at universities and colleges in Arizona and throughout the nation. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. Joseph Lento is a licensed attorney in New Jersey and New York, is admitted as an attorney pro hac vice in state and federal court if needed when representing clients nationwide, and serves as an academic misconduct advisor to students facing disciplinary cases in Arizona and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected at all stages of the academic misconduct disciplinary process, including the appeal stage - Contact National Academic Misconduct Advisor Joseph D. Lento today at 888-535-3686.
