The Alexander Blewett III School of Law (Blewett Law) is a public law school established in 1911. It is the only law school in the state of Montana. The law school receives consistent recognition for its law programs that merge theory and practice. Additionally, it has one of the top National Resources and Environmental Law programs nationwide and a robust environmental training program. After students graduate, they have many career opportunities to look forward to due to the institution's exceptional reputation. But to get to that point, students must also demonstrate the highest principles of ethical behavior and avoid academic misconduct.
Law students have to juggle multiple responsibilities to keep up with their programs. The stress of performance, coupled with the expectations of families, professors, and peers, often becomes overwhelming over time. Although you may expect these issues before starting your program, staying afloat may become increasingly difficult. To keep up, you may make mistakes or experience lapses in judgment that ultimately harm your graduation prospects. After facing a hearing panel, you may receive sanctions that include probation, suspension, or expulsion. Without the guidance of a skilled attorney-advisor, you may not graduate due to an innocent mistake.
Honor Code Violations
According to the honor code at Blewett Law, students must conduct themselves in an exemplary manner to become competent and ethical attorneys. The law school recognizes multiple forms of misconduct that include writing, examinations and assessments, property, misrepresentation, and violating the student conduct code. Any action that goes against the ethical principles established by the law school and the America Bar Association may lead to severe penalties. Examples of these include:
- Plagiarism by using another person's work verbatim or by paraphrasing their ideas without giving credit
- Asking another student to take on your academic work responsibilities
- Collaborating with another student to cheat
- Using materials not authorized by a professor during an exam
- Taking an exam or an assessment for another student
- Obtaining or receiving assistance without a professor's authorization
- Damaging university or law school property
- Making deliberately false statements or failing to state facts
- Violating the university conduct code
Any person who suspects a law student is committing a violation must submit a written complaint to the Counsel within 90 days of the incident. Failure to report is also a punishable offense, as is a lack of cooperation with the law school after an accusation. Although maintaining a level playing field for all students is a standard law school practice, some reports may contain inaccuracies. These lead to disastrous repercussions for innocent students.
Investigation Process and Honor Committee
Once Counsel receives an honor code violation complaint, they review the matter to determine if there is probable cause to conduct an investigation. Counsel initially tries to resolve the issue informally with the student and suggests sanctions based on the allegation and investigation results. Suppose the student does not agree to the proposed resolution. In that case, the matter escalates to a formal affair, and an honor committee determines the case outcome. Fortunately, the code stipulates that students have the right to have counsel present during the hearing.
Once the Honor Committee receives a formal complaint from the Counsel, they schedule a hearing and notify the accused student. The student has the right to present evidence and witness statements during the hearing. Once the meeting ends, the committee deliberates and decides on an appropriate sanction for the student if it finds that the student committed a violation.
Appeals
Students may appeal the Honor Committee's recommended sanctions by sending the Dean of the Law School a written petition. The student must send the petition within five business days of receiving the committee's decision. After the Dean decides on the matter, their decision undergoes review by the President of the Law School. Students may only send in an appeal if evidence does not provide a reasonable basis for the sanctions or if procedural errors exist. The student has one last chance to ask for an administrative review by the Commissioner of Higher Education and the Board of Regents.
Possible Sanctions for Academic Misconduct
The Honor Committee determines appropriate sanctions for a violation based on the student's history and the gravity of the issue. These include:
- A private reprimand not included in the student's permanent academic record
- A formal reprimand that the law school places in the student's permanent academic record
- A failed or reduced grade with an entry on the student's official transcript
- Restitution if applicable
- Disciplinary probation with specified attendance conditions
- Suspension for a definite timeframe
- Indefinite dismissal with readmission only after approval by law school faculty
- Permanent expulsion from the law school
These sanctions have devastating effects on the student's trajectory and their expected graduation date. And because the law school is the only one in the state, a dismissal means having to relocate to another state if a student wishes to pursue a law degree.
Contacting an Attorney Advisor
Facing sanctions for academic misconduct is a serious issue that has long and short-term repercussions. Besides the reputation damage, students fall behind academically, and picking up where you left off can be challenging. If you face accusations, you must contact an attorney-advisor like Joseph D. Lento, who has proven experience in student defense.
Attorney-Advisor Lento has years of experience working with students countrywide facing sanctions for misconduct. With his knowledge and attention to detail, advisor Lento's guidance decreases the likelihood of a negative hearing outcome. Even if you committed a violation, you deserve a fair and impartial hearing with sanctions proportionate to the infarction. Unfortunately, some law schools set examples for others when punishing them for academic misconduct. This example should not be at your expense.
You worked hard at law school, and the pressure to succeed can make anyone falter. Don't tackle a hearing panel alone or let a mistake cost you your dream of becoming a lawyer. Call the Lento Law Firm today for a discreet and thorough consultation at 888-535-3686.
