Recent data from the International Center for Academic Integrity suggests that approximately 68% of undergraduate and 43% of graduate students have cheated at some point. A report by the Journal of Legal Studies classified academic dishonesty as essentially a form of fraud. Colleges and universities take academic integrity and codes of proper conduct seriously and may impose sanctions that can change the course of a student's goals. Each school has a written disciplinary process for investigating and deciding on such matters. Attorney Joseph D. Lento is a seasoned advisor in the realm of student disciplinary defense and can assist with hearings, appeals and more.
Potential Long-Term Consequences of Disciplinary Actions
Current data shows many clear benefits associated with obtaining a college education. Some of these include:
- An overall increase of approximately 50% in lifetime earnings and benefits
- A much lower rate of unemployment
- Much higher levels of job and career satisfaction
Students faced with the realization that they will be suspended or dismissed from a college or university or otherwise disciplined should consult with legal counsel.
What are a Student's Rights in Disciplinary Actions?
There are some basic rights that all students are typically afforded that relate to college and university disciplinary proceedings. All allegations of misconduct and potential sanctions that could be imposed should be outlined in writing. The student should have an opportunity to answer the alleged violations and be accompanied by an advisor in doing so. The burden of proof that is generally used is that the violations must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence standard.
Appealing Unfavorable Rulings of Academic Misconduct
Each school's policies and procedures will explain the steps that a student must follow to appeal a decision. Unfortunately, you will generally have a short period of time for appealing. The appeals process typically involves submitting a document that contains your reasoning why the administration's decision should be reconsidered. Having an attorney functioning in an advisory capacity at this phase is critical. This document must be very impactful because it is essentially the last chance for rebutting the decision. Your attorney may also possibly negotiate with the administration to reduce the severity of sanctions or other favorable solutions.
Importance of Legal Representation
If you are unsuccessful in defending yourself against violations of the student code of conduct you may experience long-lasting negative consequences. You may find yourself unable to transfer to another desirable top-tier college and may be denied entrance to professional graduate programs. Even potential future employers may wish to review your records and academic history. As your attorney reviews the prior disciplinary process they may recognize deviations from procedure or instances where your rights were violated. These are types of information that would be clearly emphasized in drafting a document for your appeal.
Advisor in Virginia for Appealing Violations of Academic Misconduct
Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm has the knowledge and experience that can only be obtained through extensive practice in the unique area of student disciplinary defense. To appeal a ruling in Virginia involving student academic misconduct you must be sure to act quickly; therefore, we encourage you to contact the office at (888) 535-3686 today.
- Advanced Technology Institute
- Argosy University Washington D.C.
- Averett University
- Averett University Non Traditional Programs
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance Chesapeake
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance Manassas
- Bethel College
- Blue Ridge Community College
- Bluefield College
- Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing
- Bridgewater College
- Bryant & Stratton College Hampton
- Bryant and Stratton College Richmond
- Bryant and Stratton College Virginia Beach
- Central Virginia Community College
- Centura College Chesapeake
- Centura College Newport News
- Centura College Norfolk
- Centura College Richmond Main
- Centura College Richmond Westend
- Centura College Virginia Beach
- Chamberlain College of Nursing
- Christopher Newport University
- College of William and Mary
- Dabney S Lancaster Community College
- Danville Community College
- DeVry University Virginia
- Eastern Mennonite University
- Eastern Shore Community College
- ECPI University
- Emory and Henry College
- Everest College Arlington
- Everest College Chesapeake
- Everest College McLean
- Everest College Newport News
- Ferrum College
- Fortis College Norfolk
- Fortis College Richmond
- George Mason University
- Germanna Community College
- Hampden Sydney College
- Hampton University
- Hollins University
- ITT Technical Institute Chantilly
- ITT Technical Institute Norfolk
- ITT Technical Institute Richmond
- ITT Technical Institute Salem
- ITT Technical Institute Springfield
- J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
- James Madison University
- Jefferson College of Health Sciences
- John Tyler Community College
- Liberty University
- Longwood University
- Lord Fairfax Community College
- Lynchburg College
- Mary Baldwin College
- Marymount University
- Miller Motte Technical College Lynchburg
- Mountain Empire Community College
- National College Salem
- New River Community College
- Norfolk State University
- Northern Virginia Community College
- Old Dominion University
- Patrick Henry Community College
- Paul D Camp Community College
- Piedmont Virginia Community College
- Potomac College Herndon
- Radford University
- Randolph College
- Randolph Macon College
- Rappahannock Community College
- Regent University
- Richard Bland College of the College of William and Mary
- Roanoke College
- Saint Pauls College
- Sanford Brown College Tysons Corner
- Shenandoah University
- Skyline College Roanoke
- South University Richmond
- South University Virginia Beach
- Southeast Culinary & Hospitality College
- Southern Virginia University
- Southside Virginia Community College
- Southwest Virginia Community College
- Stratford University
- Sweet Briar College
- The Art Institute of Virginia Beach
- The Art Institute of Washington
- The Art Institute of Washington Northern Virginia
- The University of Virginia's College at Wise
- Thomas Nelson Community College
- Tidewater Community College
- University of Management and Technology (The)
- University of Mary Washington
- University of Phoenix Northern Virginia Campus
- University of Phoenix Richmond Campus
- University of Richmond
- University of Virginia Main Campus
- Virginia College
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Virginia Highlands Community College
- Virginia Intermont College
- Virginia Military Institute
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Virginia State University
- Virginia Union University
- Virginia University of Lynchburg
- Virginia Wesleyan College
- Virginia Western Community College
- Washington and Lee University
- Westwood College Annandale
- Westwood College Arlington Ballston
- Wytheville Community 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 Virginia 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 Virginia 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.
