In an educational environment where integrity is everything, being accused of academic misconduct is one of the most serious allegations that can be made against a student. What you may consider a minor blunder or misunderstanding may equate to a punishment of suspension, or even expulsion in the eyes of a higher education institution. And the repercussions won't only affect your college experience, this violation may also haunt you in your professional career.
When applying for certain jobs, like government positions for example, you may be asked if you've been found to have engaged in any instances of academic dishonesty. Students who attend law school may also be asked about academic integrity on the bar application. And of course, any job in academia prefers that employees have a squeaky clean academic record.
If you've been accused of academic misconduct, the first step you should take is to hire a student defense attorney. The stakes are simply too high for you not to have professional help. It's also important that you gain a clear understanding of this violation, the broad span of actions that constitute this violation, and the crucial role of an attorney in your case.
What is Academic Misconduct?
Academic misconduct occurs when a student is found responsible for failing to comply with the ethical academic guidelines upheld by a school. In New Jersey, the majority of colleges and universities, if not all of them, have implemented regulations that prohibit academic misconduct in all of its varieties. Since these schools take such a firm stance against academic misconduct, students who are found responsible for this violation of school policy will likely experience pretty harsh consequences. Depending on the circumstances, students have found themselves booted from their program, suspended, or expelled from the school.
Academic Misconduct Violations
There are a broad range of actions that could constitute as academic misconduct. Due to the innumerable number of ways to violate this school policy, students may find themselves oblivious to the fact that what they're doing is against the rules. This is especially the case when these actions aren't common mishaps like plagiarizing an essay or cheating on an exam. For more insight as to what behaviors could lead to academic misconduct allegations, here is a list of examples and circumstances that generally constitute as academic misconduct:
- Submitting the same assignments for more than one class without the approval of all the instructors involved
- Stealing another individual's book, assignment, experiment, project, software, notes etc.
- Forging an instructor's signature on a letter of recommendation or any other document
- Using unauthorized materials during an exam
- Selling, distributing, or posting lecture notes, handouts or any other information drafted by an instructor, or using them for commercial purposes without the permission of a professor.
- Plagiarism and/or paraphrasing another person's phraseology, metaphor, or literary device without acknowledgment
New Jersey College Academic Misconduct Attorney
As you can see, being found responsible for academic misconduct is a serious matter. The academic and professional goals you've dreamed of achieving for years could be jeopardized if your school decides you violated its policy. If you take your educational and professional future seriously, you can't afford to not retain a student defense attorney. Skilled legal professional Joseph D. Lento has extensive experience helping other students in this predicament avoid dire repercussions that could have thrown a major wrench in their plans, and he can do the same for you. Contact him today for help.
New Jersey colleges and universities where Joseph D. Lento can help as your or your student's academic misconduct advisor during investigations, hearings, and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following schools:
- Bloomfield College
- Caldwell University
- Centenary College
- The College of New Jersey
- College of Saint Elizabeth
- Drew University
- Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Felician University
- Georgian Court University
- Kean University
- Monmouth University
- Montclair State University
- New Jersey City University
- New Jersey Institute of Technology
- Princeton University
- Ramapo College
- Rowan University
- Rider University
- Rutgers University
- Rutgers University-Camden
- Rutgers University-Newark
- Saint Peter's University
- Seton Hall University
- Stevens Institute of Technology
- Stockton University
- Thomas Edison State College
- William Paterson University
It is an unfortunate reality that academic misconduct charges can upend an accused student's life if not properly addressed, and Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm have unparalleled experience passionately fighting for the future of his clients at colleges and universities in New Jersey 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 for students facing disciplinary cases in New Jersey and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National Academic Misconduct Advisor Joseph D. Lento today at 888-535-3686.
