High School Academic Misconduct Attorney Advisor - Michigan

Academic misconduct is a serious offense in high schools. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification disrupt classroom learning—not only for the student who cheated but for others as well. For this reason, Michigan high schools deal harshly with academic misconduct. Having such an infraction on a school record could be detrimental to your child's future.

If your high school student is found guilty of academic misconduct, it might prevent them from receiving scholarships and awards, participating in extracurricular activities, or getting into the college of their dreams. If you want to avoid damage to your child's future academic career, an experienced student defense attorney-advisor can help.

What is Academic Misconduct in Michigan?

Academic misconduct is any action that results in creating an unfair advantage or disadvantage for any members of the academic community. High schools expect students to submit their best and most honest work. When a student breaks the rules to obtain a better grade, it hinders their learning and defeats the purpose of education. Since academic misconduct poses a threat to the educational environment, teachers and administrators consider it a serious issue.

Most high schools in Michigan include their academic misconduct policy in their code of conduct. They might also refer to it as an honor code, an ethics code, or an academic integrity policy. It usually covers cheating, plagiarism, falsification, or other infractions. Academic misconduct differs from general misconduct offenses—it includes indiscretions related to classroom work. The purpose of academic dishonesty is usually to achieve a better grade or to put oneself at an advantage academically. General misconduct may not be related to the classroom at all.

What are some examples of academic misconduct?

• Cheating: Most high school prohibits cheating. Cheating is the unauthorized use of information, materials, or devices to complete academic activities. Copying another student's test, obtaining and distributing exam questions or answers without permission, or paying for a completed assignment are examples of cheating. By the time they reach high school, students should understand what constitutes cheating what doesn't.
  
  
• Plagiarism: Many schools in Michigan take plagiarism very seriously. Copying someone else's work and passing it off as one's own is dishonest and disrupts learning. Schools that want to prevent plagiarism educate students on how to cite their work properly, giving appropriate credit to the original author. It's also possible to self-plagiarize by copying work from a previous assignment and using it in a new one. Students who have questions about giving proper credit to the original author should always ask their teachers. Otherwise, they could face an academic misconduct charge for plagiarism.
• Illegitimate technology use: Students can easily find resources online to help them cheat on tests or projects. Schools attempt to address the issue by categorizing the use of personal or school devices to cheat as an academic misconduct violation. Using a smartphone to look up answers during a test and rigging a school's online portal to avoid doing homework are illegitimate technology use.
• Falsification: Falsification is misrepresenting information on academic work or school documentation. It includes attempting to modify report cards or grade books, signing someone else's name on official school documentation, or giving online login information to another student to complete assignments.
• Unauthorized Collaboration: If students work together on a project or homework assignment, or even share test preparation resources, without their teacher's permission, that can be considered academic misconduct. Students working in collaboration may have an unfair advantage over students working alone.

Academic Misconduct Cases in Michigan

How do high schools in Michigan handle cases of academic misconduct? There are state-wide regulations on student discipline, and the Michigan State Board of Education recommends academic sanctions when a student cheats or commits academic misconduct. Details of academic misconduct are often left up to the counties, districts, or individual schools.

Usually, the penalties for academic misconduct vary based on the seriousness of the offense. If caught cheating on an assignment, students might have to re-do the work or accept a zero grade on it. For falsification and bribery, school administrators might give out harsher punishments like signing a behavior contract, a conference with parents, or community service. If a student repeats academic misconduct infractions, they might face an in-school or out-of-school suspension.

Penalties for academic misconduct

Detroit Public Schools Community District considers cheating a Level 1 infraction. The code of conduct suggests a conference between the student, parent, and teacher when a student is caught cheating. If it happens three times, the student may receive two days of in-school suspension.

Grand Rapids Public Schools classify cheating and academic misconduct as a Level II offense. Penalties could be a staff intervention, conference with parents, detention, or in-school suspension. Repeat offenders may be suspended up to three days out-of-school.

Student rights in academic misconduct cases

Although high school students are subject to school regulations, they have certain rights when it comes to discipline. If students are barred from attending public school for more than a few days, they have a right to know why and to defend themselves. As a parent, don't assume that you and your student are powerless against a school disciplinary hearing or disciplinary action. Always read the school's student handbook, so you know what to expect when your child is accused of academic misconduct.

Can a Student Defense Legal Advisor Help?

If academic misconduct isn't illegal, why would you need a legal advisor for your child? Put simply - Because something is at stake, and your child's academic and college goals are too important to leave to anything less than having a dedicated defense. In addition, although your child won't be subject to civil or criminal charges, they are still subject to school rules. A legal advisor will be able to navigate and leverage the school, district, county, or state regulations on academic misconduct and defend your student's rights in a disciplinary hearing. An experienced attorney-advisor is more likely to secure a favorable outcome for your child than if you handle the case yourself.

Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm have helped hundreds of students accused of academic misconduct across the nation. If you're concerned about your child's future, call the Firm at 888-535-3686 for an initial consultation with a trusted academic misconduct legal advisor.

Michigan 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:

A

• Adams Township School District
• Addison Community Schools
• Adrian Public Schools
• Agbu Alex-Marie Manoogian School
• Airport Community School District
• Aisha Shule/Web Dubois Prep. School
• Akron-Fairgrove Schools
• Alba Public Schools
• Albion Public Schools
•  Alcona Community Schools
• Algonac Community School District
• Allegan Independent School District
• Allegan Public Schools
• Allen Park Public Schools
• Allendale Public School District
• Alma Public Schools
• Almont Community Schools
• Alpena Public Schools
• Anchor Bay School District
• Ann Arbor Public Schools
• Arenac Eastern School District
• Armada Area Schools
• Arvon Township School District
• Ashley Community Schools
• Athens Area Schools
• Atherton Community Schools
• Atlanta Community Schools
• Au Gres-Sims School District
• Autrain-Onota Public Schools
• Avondale School District

B

• Bad Axe Public Schools
• Baldwin Community Schools
• Bangor Public Schools
• Bangor Township School District 8
• Bangor Township Schools
• Baraga Area Schools
• Bark River-Harris School District
• Bath Community Schools
• Battle Creek Public Schools
• Bay City School District
• Beal City Public Schools
• Bear Lake School District
• Beaver Island Community School
• Beaverton Rural Schools
• Bedford Public Schools
• Beecher Community School District
• Belding Area School District
• Bellaire Public Schools
• Bellevue Community Schools
• Bendle Public Schools
• Benjamin Carson Academy
• Bentley Community Schools
• Benton Harbor Area Schools
• Benton Harbor Charter School
• Benzie County Central Schools
• Berkley School District
• Berlin Township School District 3
• Berrien Springs Public Schools
• Bessemer Area School District
• Big Bay De Noc School District
• Big Jackson School District
• Big Rapids Public Schools
• Birch Run Area School District
• Birmingham City School District
• Black River Public School
• Blissfield Community Schools
• Bloomfield Hills School District
• Bloomfield Township School District 7F
• Bloomingdale Public School District
• Blue Water Learning Academy
• Bois Blanc Pines School District
• Boyne City Public Schools
• Boyne Falls Public School District
• Branch Independent School District
• Brandon School District
• Brandywine Public School District
• Breckenridge Community Schools
• Breitung Township Schools
• Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District
• Bridgman Public Schools
• Brighton Area Schools
• Brimley Area Schools
• Britton Deerfield Schools
• Bronson Community School District
• Brown City Community Schools
• Buchanan Community Schools
• Buckley Community School District
• Buena Vista School District
• Bullock Creek School District
• Burr Oak Community School District
• Burt Township School District
• Byron Area Schools
• Byron Center Public Schools
• Burger Development Center

C

• Cadillac Area Public Schools
• Caledonia Community Schools
• Camden-Frontier Schools
• Capac Community School District
• Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools
• Carney-Nadeau Public Schools
• Caro Community Schools
• Carrollton School District
• Carson City-Crystal Area Schools
• Carsonville-Port Sanilac School District
• Caseville Public Schools
• Cass City Public Schools
• Cassopolis Public Schools
• Cedar Springs Public Schools
• Center Line Public Schools
• Central Academy
• Central Lake Public Schools
• Central Montcalm Public Schools
• Centreville Public Schools
• Charlevoix Public Schools
• Charlotte Public Schools
• Chassell Township School District
• Cheboygan Area Schools
• Chelsea School District
• Chesaning Union Schools
• Chippewa Hills School District
• Chippewa Valley Schools
• Church School District
• City Of Harper Woods Schools
• Clare Public Schools
• Clarenceville School District
• Clarkston Community School District
• Clawson City School District
• Climax-Scotts Community Schools
• Clinton Community Schools
• Clintondale Community Schools
• Clio Area School District
• Coldwater Community Schools
• Coleman Community School District
• Colfax Township School District 1F
• Coloma Community Schools
• Colon Community School District
• Columbia School District
• Comstock Park Public Schools
• Comstock Public Schools
• Concord Community Schools
• Constantine Public School District
• Coopersville Public School District
• Copper Country Independent School District
• Corunna Public School District
• Covert Public Schools
• Crawford Ausable Schools
• Crestwood School District
• Croswell-Lexington Community Schools

D

• Dansville Schools
• Davison Community Schools
• Dearborn Public Schools
• Dearborn Heights School District 7
• Decatur Public Schools
• Deckerville Community School District
• Deerfield Public Schools
• Delta-Schoolcraft Independent School District
• Delton-Kellogg School District
• Detour Area Schools
• Detroit Open School
• Detroit Public Schools
• Detroit Community High School
• Dewitt Public Schools
• Dexter Community School District
• Dickinson-Iron Independent School District
• Dollar Bay-Tamarack City Area Schools
• Dowagiac Union School District
• Dryden Community Schools
• Dundee Community Schools
• Durand Area Schools

E

• East China School District
• East Detroit Public Schools
• East Grand Rapids Public Schools
• East Jackson Community Schools
• East Jordan Public Schools
• East Lansing School District
• Easton Township School District 6
• Eaton Rapids Public Schools
• Eau Claire Public Schools
• Ecorse Public School District
• Edwardsburg Public Schools
• Elk Rapids Schools
• Ellsworth Community School
• Elm River Township School District
• Engadine Consolidated Schools
• Escanaba Area Public Schools
• Essexville-Hampton Public Schools
• Evart Public Schools
• Ewen-Trout Creek Consolidated School District
• Excelsior Township School District 1

F

• Fairview Area School District
• Farmington Public School District
• Farwell Area Schools
• Fennville Public Schools
• Fenton Area Public Schools
• Ferndale Public Schools
• Fitzgerald Public Schools
• Flat Rock Community Schools
• Flint City School District
• Flushing Community Schools
• Forest Area Community Schools
• Forest Hills Public Schools
• Forest Park School District
• Fowler Public Schools
• Fowlerville Community Schools
• Frankenmuth School District
• Frankfort-Elberta Area Schools
• Fraser Public Schools
• Free Soil Community Schools
• Freeland Community School District
• Fremont Public School District
• Fruitport Community Schools
• Fulton Schools

G

• Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools
• Galien Township School District
• Garden City School District
• Gateway Middle/High School
• Gaylord Community Schools
• Genesee Intermediate School District
• Genesee School District
• Gerrish-Higgins School District
• Gibraltar School District
• Gladstone Area Schools
• Gladwin Community Schools
• Glen Lake Community Schools
• Glenn Public School District
• Gobles Public School District
• Godfrey-Lee Public Schools
• Godwin Heights Public Schools
• Goodrich Area Schools
• Grand Blanc Community Schools
• Grand Haven Area Public Schools
• Grand Ledge Public Schools
• Grand Rapids Public Schools
• Grandville Public Schools
• Grant Public School District
• Grant Township School District 2
• Grass Lake Community Schools
• Greenville Public Schools
• Grosse Ile Township Schools
• Grosse Pointe Public Schools
• Gull Lake Community Schools
• Gwinn Area Community Schools

H

• Hagar Township School District 6
• Hale Area Schools
• Hamilton Community Schools
• Hamtramck Public Schools
• Hancock Public Schools
• Hanover-Horton Schools
• Harbor Beach Community Schools
• Harbor Springs School District
• Harper Creek Community Schools
• Harrison Community Schools
• Hart Public School District
• Hartford Public School District
• Hartland Consolidated Schools
• Haslett Public Schools
• Hastings Area School District
• Hazel Park City School District
• Hemlock Public School District
• Hesperia Community Schools
• Highland Park City Schools
• Hillman Community Schools
• Hillsdale Community Schools
• Holland City School District
• Holly Area School District
• Holt Public Schools
• Holton Public Schools
• Homer Community Schools
• Honey Creek Community School
• Hopkins Public Schools
• Horizons Community High School
• Houghton Lake Community Schools
• Houghton-Portage Township Schools
• Howell Public Schools
• Hudson Area Schools
• Hudsonville Public School District
• Huron School District
• Huron Valley Schools

I

• Ida Public School District
• Imlay City Community Schools
• Ingham Independent School District
• Inkster-Edison Public Schools
• Inland Lakes Schools
• Ionia Public Schools
• Ionia Township School District 2
• Iron Mountain Public Schools
• Ironwood Area Schools
• Ishpeming Public School District
• Ithaca Public Schools

J

• Jackson Public Schools
• Jefferson Schools
• Jenison Public Schools
• Johannesburg-Lewiston Area Schools
• Jonesville Community Schools

K

• Kalamazoo Public School District
•  Kalkaska Public Schools
• Kearsley Community Schools
• Kelloggsville Public Schools
• Kenowa Hills Public Schools
• Kent City Community Schools
• Kent County Intermediate School District
• Kentwood Public Schools

L

• Laingsburg Community School District
• Lake City Area School District
• Lake Fenton Community Schools
• Lake Linden-Hubbell School District
• Lake Orion Community Schools
• Lake Shore Public Schools
• Laker Schools
• Lakeshore School District
• Lakeview Community Schools (Montcalm)
• Lakeview Public Schools
• Lakeview School District
• Lakeville Community Schools
• Lakewood Public Schools
• Lamphere Public Schools
• L'Anse Area Schools
• L'Anse Creuse Public Schools
• Lansing School District
• Lapeer Community Schools
• Lawrence Public School District
• Lawton Community School District
• Leland Public School District
• Lenawee Intermediate School District
• Les Cheneaux Community Schools
• Leslie Public Schools
• Lincoln Consolidated School District
• Lincoln Park Public Schools
• Linden Community Schools
• Litchfield Community Schools
• Littlefield Public Schools
• Livonia Public Schools
•  Lowell Area Schools
• Ludington Area School District

M

• Mackinac Island Public School
• Mackinaw City Public Schools
• Macomb Intermediate School District
• Madison District Public Schools
• Madison School District
• Mancelona Public Schools
• Manchester Community Schools
• Manistee Area Schools
• Manistique Area Schools
• Manton Consolidated Schools
• Maple Valley Schools
• Mar Lee School District
• Marcellus Community Schools
• Marenisco School District
• Marion Public Schools
• Marlette Community Schools
• Marquette Area Public Schools
• Marshall Public Schools
• Martin Public Schools
• Marysville Public Schools
• Mason Consolidated Schools
• Mason County Central Schools
• Mason County Eastern Schools
• Mason Public Schools
• Mattawan Consolidated School
• Mayville Community School District
• McBain Rural Agricultural Schools
• Mecosta-Osceola Independent School District
• Melvindale-North Allen Park Schools
• Memphis Community Schools
• Mendon Community School District
• Menominee Area Public Schools
• Meridian Public Schools
• Merrill Community Schools
• Mesick Consolidated Schools
• Michigan Center School District
• Midland Public Schools
• Milan Area Schools
• Millington Community Schools
• Mio-Ausable Schools
• Mona Shores Public Schools
• Monroe Public Schools
• Montabella Community Schools
• Montague Area Public Schools
• Montcalm Area Independent School District
• Montrose Community Schools
• Moran Township School District
• Morenci Area Schools
• Morey Charter School
• Morley Stanwood Community Schools
• Morrice Area Schools
• Mount Clemens Community School District
• Mount Morris Consolidated Schools
• Mount Pleasant City School District
• Munising Public Schools
• Muskegon City School District
• Muskegon Heights School District

N

• I.C.E. Community Schools
• Napoleon Community Schools
• Negaunee Public Schools
• New Branches School
• New Buffalo Area Schools
• New Haven Community Schools
• New Lothrop Area Public Schools
• Newaygo Public School District
• Niles Community School District
• North Adams-Jerome Schools
• North Branch Area Schools
• North Central Area Schools
• North Dickinson County Schools
• North Huron School District
• North Muskegon Public Schools
• Northport Public School District
• Northview Public School District
• Northville Public Schools
• Northwest Community Schools
• Norway-Vulcan Area Schools
• Nottawa Community School
• Novi Community School District

O

• Oak Park City School District
• Oakridge Public Schools
• Okemos Public Schools
• Olivet Community Schools
• Onaway Area Community School District
• Oneida Township School District
• Onekama Consolidated Schools
• Onsted Community Schools
• Ontonagon Area Schools
• Orchard View Schools
• Oscoda Area Schools
• Otsego Public Schools
• Ottawa Area Independent School District
• Ovid-Elsie Area Schools
• Owendale-Gagetown Area Schools
• Owosso Public Schools
• Oxford Area Community Schools

P

• Palo Community School District
• Parchment School District
• Paw Paw Public School District
• Peck Community School District
• Pellston Public Schools
• Pennfield School District
• Pentwater Public School District
• Perry Public School District
• Pewamo-Westphalia Community Schools
• Pickford Public Schools
• Pinckney Community Schools
• Pinconning Area Schools
• Pine River Area Schools
• Pittsford Area Schools
• Plainwell Community Schools
• Plymouth Educational Center
• Plymouth-Canton Community Schools
• Pontiac City School District
• Port Hope Community Schools
• Port Huron Area School District
• Portage Public Schools
• Portland Public School District
• Posen Consolidated School District
• Potterville Public Schools
• Powell Township Schools
• Public Schools Of Calumet
• Public Schools Of Petoskey

Q

• Quincy Community School District

R

• Rapid River Public Schools
• Ravenna Public Schools
• Reading Community Schools
• Redford Union School District
• Reed City Area Public Schools
• Reese Public Schools
• Reeths-Puffer Schools
• Republic-Michigamme Schools
• Richmond Community Schools
• River Rouge School District
• River Valley School District
• Riverview Community School District
• Rochester Community School District
• Rockford Public Schools
• Rogers City Area Schools
• Romeo Community Schools
• Romulus Community School District
• Roseville Community Schools
• Royal Oak School District
• Rudyard Area Schools

S

• Saginaw Public School District
• Saginaw Independent School District
• Saginaw Township Community Schools
• Saline Area Schools
• Sand Creek Community Schools
• Sandusky Community School District
• Saranac Community Schools
• Saugatuck Public Schools
• Sault Ste. Marie Area Schools
• Schoolcraft Community Schools
• Shelby Public Schools
• Shepherd Public School District
• Sigel Township School District 3F
• Sigel Township School District 4F
• Sigel Township School District 6
• Sodus Township School District 5
• South Haven Public Schools
• South Lake Schools
• South Lyon Community Schools
• South Redford School District
• Southfield Public School District
• Southgate Community School District
• Sparta Area Schools
• Spring Lake Public Schools
• Springport Public Schools
• Clair County Schools
• Standish-Sterling Community Schools
• Stanton Township Public Schools
• Stephenson Area Public Schools
• Stockbridge Community Schools
• Sturgis Public Schools
• Summerfield School District
• Superior Central Schools
• Suttons Bay Public Schools
• Swan Valley School District
• Swartz Creek Community Schools

T

• Tahquamenon Area Schools
• Tawas Area Schools
• Taylor School District
• Tecumseh Public Schools
• Tekonsha Community Schools
• The Da Vinci Institute
• Thornapple Kellogg School District
• Three Rivers Community Schools
• Timbuktu Academy Of Science & Technology
• Traverse Bay Area Independent School District
• Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District
• Traverse Bay Community School
• Traverse City Area Public Schools
• Trenton Public Schools
• Tri County Area Schools
• Troy School District

U

• Ubly Community Schools
• Union City Community Schools
• Unionville-Sebewaing Area School District
• University Preparatory Academy District
• Utica Community Schools

V

• Van Buren Public Schools
• Van Dyke Public Schools
• Vicksburg Community Schools

W

• Waldron Area Schools
• Walkerville Public Schools
• Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
• Warren Consolidated Schools
• Warren Woods Public Schools
• Washtenaw Intermediate School District
• Waterford School District
• Watersmeet Township School District
• Watervliet School District
• Waverly Community Schools
• Wayland Union Schools
• Wayne-Westland Community School District
• Webberville Community Schools
• Wells Township School District
• West Bloomfield School District
• West Branch-Rose City Area Schools
• West Iron County Public Schools
• West Ottawa Public School District
• Western School District
• Westwood Community Schools
• Westwood Heights Schools
• White Cloud Public Schools
• White Pigeon Community Schools
• White Pine School District
• Whitefish Township Schools
• Whiteford Agricultural Schools
• Whitehall District Schools
• Whitmore Lake Public Schools
• Whittemore-Prescott Area Schools
• Williamston Community Schools
• Willow Run Community Schools
• Windover High School
• Wolverine Community Schools
• Woodhaven-Brownstown School District
• Wyandotte City School District
• Wyoming Public Schools

Y

• Yale Public Schools
• Ypsilanti Public School District

Z

• Zeeland Public Schools

It is critical to make certain academic misconduct charges at your child's Michigan 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 Michigan 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.