In most instances, yes. Finding of responsibility and/or appealing a sanction in an academic misconduct case can be appealed. It will depend in terms of the specific college or university in question as to how that would take place. Many schools, for example, the process would involve communications and negotiations, say, like meetings with the conduct office to arrive at a resolution if a student is dissatisfied with, say, either the finding and/or the sanction, then it could be appeal.
In such instances, it may be appealed to a hearing panel where a panel itself would make a determination regarding the responsibility, and then that same panel may or may make a determination regarding sanctions if a person is found responsible that other schools say there is no initial resolution to the matter through meetings with the conduct office, it would go directly to say like a panel. It can vary depending on the school. It's very important to understand the process at your school and to also be mindful of the fact that schools, unfortunately, can be in a rush to judgment.
They're not looking out for your interest and rights in many instances that is an unfortunate reality of academic misconduct cases at colleges and universities. Having an experienced attorney-advisor in your corner can help both protect the student's rights and interests and can try to ensure a fair process and can best defend in the goal of obtaining a favorable outcome.
They should be involved in the process from as early as possible. If it's necessary to appeal, they certainly can help in that regard. Appeals generally will be based on certain grounds. Say, either procedural defect or error in the process, a new evidence that wasn't available at the time of the, say, case or hearing or whatever led up to that point or say disproportionate sanctions. An experienced attorney-advisor can help you best understand in how to present such a case.
