Your student started high school in Hawaii with dreams, hopes, and excitement. But after an academic misconduct allegation, you're now having to think about the significant effect it may have on their future. Do they need to put their aspirations on hold? How does this accusation affect their chances of getting into their dream college or starting a stable and successful career? Your family may feel frustrated or discouraged, but don't let an academic misconduct violation on a school record hurt your student's future. Rather than navigating an allegation alone, you can work to protect your child's rights and build a solid case for their innocence with the help of an experienced lawyer.
HI Academic Misconduct and Your High School Student
Most high schools in the state of Hawaii have specific academic honesty policies or honor codes laid out as part of their parameters and expectations for learners to produce work with integrity. In fact, many teachers have now adopted practices to cover these guidelines with their students during class time. You and your child should take the time to carefully review your school's rules related to academic misconduct.
Here are some examples of academic misconduct in Hawaii high schools:
Plagiarism:
- Taking someone else's work or a portion of work and claiming credit
- Submitting words, ideas, images, or data from someone else without giving proper credit to the source or author
- Submitting papers found on the Internet as one's own
- Providing one's own work to someone else to be used as his/her own
Cheating:
- Accessing a test for the purpose of determining the questions in advance
- Copying or sharing answers to a test, quiz, or exam
- Using commentaries or summaries in lieu of reading the assigned materials
- Possessing unauthorized materials (e.g., cheat sheets, notes, etc.)
Other violations include providing falsified data or quotes, forging signatures or information, and collaborating with other students when prohibited. Most schools now also have updated their policies to specifically mention inappropriate or questionable use of technology, referring to guidelines provided by the Hawaii State Department of Education.
Penalties for Academic Misconduct
Policies vary across the state of Hawaii, and each school has its own penalties for the violation of its honor code. The class teacher may assign a zero for the assignment or exam or even a failing grade for the entire course. More serious violations or repeated offenses may be reported to school administrators who may impose additional disciplinary action, such as in- or out-of-school suspension or expulsion. If your child is accused of violating their school's policy, the school will usually notify you and discuss the reported violation along with possible next steps. Many schools will handle such consequences under Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 8, Chapter 19, so take time to familiarize yourself with the disciplinary policies pertaining to your specific school.
Also keep in mind that these penalties do not include the effects of having breaches of academic integrity on your child's permanent record. Your student may need to retake a course, enroll in summer school, or repeat a whole semester, which can all delay graduation. To make things even more difficult, think about the challenges your child will face when the time comes to ask teachers for letters of recommendation to their dream college or job. Many of these forms actually ask whether the student has been academically dishonest. All teachers typically have access to student records where violations will be documented, so they won't be inclined to write a glowing reference when they see blemishes. Clearly, a lot is at stake.
An Academic Misconduct Advisor Can Help
As a parent, you might think you can handle the school's disciplinary proceedings yourself. You might think it will be a straightforward process with little to no hassle, confusion, or consequence; academic misconduct, after all, is not a crime. But there is certainly potential for more worrying penalties and consequences, so this process should not be taken lightly. Schools will have different rules and restrictions regarding who can be present at the hearings, but an attorney-advisor can still work with your student by reviewing the code of conduct at their Hawaii high school and thoroughly preparing them to refute the charges to give them the best chance at a successful outcome. With the right guidance, your student can go into that hearing with the right tools and full confidence.
Violations in academic integrity and code of conduct are serious offenses that can threaten your child's future. Don't let these accusations interfere with their studies or dreams. With many years of experience representing students across the country, attorney Joseph D. Lento has a successful track record in handling these kinds of cases because he understands that your child's education is their best asset. Protect your child's rights and their academic and professional future. Contact the Lento Law Firm for a case evaluation by calling 888-535-3686 or by filling out the online form.
If your child has been accused of a academic disciplinary offense, there is potential for action by your child's school. With so much at stake, don't delay seeking the best help in protecting your child during the investigative and disciplinary process. Accusations of academic misconduct can be life-altering for your child, making it difficult to continue their promising educational or career path. A stain on your student's reputation for integrity and good character may be disclosed to other educational institutions and even potential employers, leading to dramatic consequences.
Whether you have recently been accused of an academic offense or are currently in the appeal process to overturn an unfavorable decision, learning the process is crucial. The Lento Law Firm has unmatched experience in advising families facing stressful situations like yours. They can assist you in evaluating the accusations and ensuring a fair proceeding to protect your child's rights. They know how to craft the strongest defense because they understand your child's academic future is on the line. Don't leave it to chance. Contact Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm today online or by phone at 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation.
Hawaii high schools where Joseph D. Lento can help as your child's student's academic misconduct advisor during investigations, hearings and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following school districts:
Honolulu
Public
- Farrington High School
- Kaimukī High School
- Kaiser High School
- Kalani High School
- McKinley High School
- Moanalua High School
- Radford High School
- Roosevelt High School
Private
- Academy of the Pacific
- ASSETS School
- Christian Academy
- Damien Memorial School
- Hawaii Baptist Academy
- Hawaiian Mission Academy
- ʻIolani School
- Kamehameha Schools
- La Pietra (Hawaii School for Girls)
- Le Jardin Academy
- Maryknoll School
- Mid-Pacific Institute
- Myron B. Thompson Academy
- Pacific Buddhist Academy
- Punahou School
- Sacred Hearts Academy
- Andrew's Priory School
- Saint Louis School
- Saint Francis School
- Varsity International School
- Waldorf Academy
Public charter
- Hawaii Technology Academy
- University Laboratory School
Greater Oʻahu
Public
- ʻAiea High School
- Campbell High School
- Castle High School
- Kahuku High & Intermediate School
- Kailua High School
- Kalāheo High School
- Kapolei High School
- Leilehua High School
- Mililani High School
- Nānākuli High & Intermediate School
- Olomana High & Intermediate School
- Pearl City High School
- Waiʻanae High School
- Waialua High and Intermediate School
- Waipahu High School
- Planned East Kapolei High School
- Planned High School
Private
- Friendship Christian School
- Hanalani Schools
- Hale O Ulu School
- Island Pacific Academy
- Lanakila Baptist High School
- Le Jardin Academy
Niʻihau
- Niʻihau High & Elementary
Kauaʻi
Public
- Kapaʻa High School
- Kauaʻi High School
- Waimea High School
Private
- Island School
- Kahili Adventist School
- Kula High & Kula Intermediate School
Molokaʻi
- Molokaʻi High School
Lānaʻi
- Lānaʻi High and Elementary School
Maui
Public
- Henry Perrine Baldwin High School
- Hāna High and Elementary School
- King Kekaulike High School
- Lahainaluna High School
- Maui High School
- Kihei Charter School Kihei
Private
- Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus
- Maui Preparatory Academy
- Anthony High School
- Seabury Hall College Preparatory School
Big Island
Public
- Hilo High School
- Honokaʻa High & Intermediate School
- Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School
- Ke Kula o Ehunuikaimalino
- Keaʻau High School
- Kealakehe High School
- Kohala High School
- Konawaena High School
- Laupāhoehoe Community Public Charter School
- Pāhoa High & Intermediate
- Waiakea High School
Public
- The High School of the Pacific
- Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy (HPA)
- Hualalai Academy
- Kamehameha Schools Hawaii Campus
- Makua Lani Christian Academy
- Parker School
It is critical to make certain academic misconduct charges at your child's Hawaii high school are handled properly and that the accused student's interests and rights are protected from as early as possible during the investigative and disciplinary process. One reason, among many, is because even at high schools where a finding of responsibility for academic misconduct is made at a hearing, the investigation will set the stage for what the hearing panel is provided prior to a hearing (and what the hearing panel will in large part rely on at a hearing), and at high schools where the finding of responsibility is made solely through the investigative process, what takes place during the investigation itself will determine whether the accused student is found responsible or not responsible for academic misconduct.
Unfortunately, some parents make the mistake of not taking the necessary precautions as soon as possible when their child is accused of academic misconduct. Some people will mistakenly believe that if they "just explain what happened," their school will be fair and impartial and will arrive at the truth. In a perfect world this may be the case, but in a perfect world, being called to answer for alleged academic misconduct would not exist.
Fighting passionately for the future of his clients at schools throughout the nation for many years, Joseph D. Lento knows how important it is to mount the strongest defense because he understands that an accused high school student's academic future is on the line. 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 high school students facing investigations and disciplinary cases in Hawaii and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National High School Academic Misconduct Defense Attorney Joseph D. Lento today at 888-535-3686.
