When it comes to college campuses, lies and misinformation can spread like wildfire. People rarely check the validity of information before they're spreading it to the next person, creating chaos and possibly ruining someone's reputation or entire college career in the process.
While most of the time, these rumors are harmless gossip, they can sometimes lead to serious consequences, especially if the lies are being told to the school administration. Falsely reporting something to campus authorities or misleading those authorities can often result in disciplinary actions taken by the school. Some of those disciplinary actions can be quite severe and lead to long-lasting ramifications for the offender.
Code of Conduct
When students arrive at college or university, they receive a student handbook that contains a code of conduct. That code of conduct lists out all of the rules and regulations that students must abide by in order to remain in good standing with the school. The code is very specific about actions like falsification and fabrication and the penalties involved. Students should familiarize themselves with exactly what the code of conduct says regarding all academic misconduct and other types of misconduct so that they don't end up getting blindsided and facing discipline for behavior they may not have realized was extremely serious.
Examples of Falsification or Fabrication Seen on a College Campuses
There are a variety of different ways that falsification or fabrication can take place on a college campus.
- A student may make up false information about another person in order to damage their reputation. This is a form of slander and can be extremely hurtful to the victim. When a student makes a false report, it can cause problems for everyone involved. The person who was falsely accused may have their reputation ruined, and they may even be expelled from school. The student who made the false report will most likely face disciplinary action from the school, and that discipline may be severe.
- A student may make fake social media profiles in order to defame someone else. This is a form of cyberbullying and can have serious real-life consequences for the victim.
- A student may inadvertently make misleading statements during an investigation into some sort of misconduct or incident that's taken place at the school. They may be vague about the information they're providing, or they may not communicate clearly enough for the administration to get the true story. If a student is found to have made misleading statements during an investigation at their college or university, they may be subject to disciplinary action. This could include a warning, probation, suspension, or even expulsion from the school. Keep in mind that these disciplinary actions could apply even if the student didn't intend to be misleading.
- A student may lie to protect a friend at college or university, thinking that they're helping them out. What they're actually doing is making things worse for their friend while risking their own academic future. If the lie is discovered, the student could be subject to severe disciplinary action from the school.
Getting into trouble by participating in fabrication and falsification while a college student can be one of the worst decisions you ever make. If you find yourself in this situation, it'd be in your best interests to speak to a lawyer who has years of experience handling these types of cases.
How Can Fabrication and Falsification Affect Your Standing at School and Beyond?
When it comes to fabrication and falsification, there is a range of possible sanctions that a student might face. These can include everything from a stern warning or going through a probationary period to being outright expelled from the school. In many of these cases, the student's permanent record may be marked with a note indicating what they've done.
If you're suspended from school, that dark mark on your record may make it difficult for you to blend in and get back to normal when you return to school, especially if everyone knows that you were suspended due to reasons related to falsification. Your reputation will take a hit, and you'll also have to make up for all the time that you lost.
If you're expelled because of the incident, putting your life back together will most likely be difficult at best. With an expulsion marring your permanent record, you'll face an uphill battle getting accepted into another school. You'll lose all of your academic progress and have to start over. This will affect you both timewise and financially.
Why Should You Work With an Experienced Attorney?
If you've been accused of lying, falsification, or fabrication at your college or university, it's important to work with a defense lawyer who has experience in student defense. Don't handle it on your own: students have tried to handle this type of issue on their own and instantly regretted it. They don't have the background and inside knowledge to know how to deal with all of the particular nuances of the laws and rules surrounding academic discipline.
Don't choose someone who doesn't have experience navigating the arena surrounding academic discipline. Inexperienced lawyers don't know how to effectively defend against these types of charges. Experienced defense lawyers will be familiar with the relevant laws and regulations and will be able to develop a strong defense strategy on your behalf.
A qualified attorney can help you navigate the complicated legal process and ensure that your rights are protected as you deal with the disciplinary actions imposed upon you by the school. An experienced lawyer will also be able to advise you on the best course of action to take if you've already been punished due to your actions. Many students give up once discipline has been laid down, but it's never too late.
Reach Out for Help From an Experienced Attorney
If you're dealing with allegations of fabrication and falsification at your college or university, reach out as soon as possible. You don't want to lose everything because you didn't know how to effectively and successfully defend yourself against the allegations.
Joseph D. Lento and the team at the Lento Law Firm have defended students facing all types of charges for years, and they can help you come up with a sound solution regarding the next steps.
If you're facing disciplinary actions, contact attorney Joseph D. Lento today at 888-535-3686.
