Mississippi College School of Law (MC Law School) is a private law school established in 1930. It is part of the Mississippi College complex and one of the state's only two law schools. MC Law School offers the J.D. and LL.M. programs and emphasizes real-world experience and well-rounded results. Its location in downtown Jackson in the heart of the state's legal community offers its students opportunities to engage in part-time work, clerkships, and externships while they study. After graduation, students can look forward to multiple career opportunities – but only if they maintain the highest ethical standards befitting their profession.
MC Law school takes academic misconduct violations seriously and penalizes those who go against the honor code. Although you are a student and the institution expects mistakes, some are more serious than others and cause significant damage to your progress. Due to students' limited options in the state, a dismissal from MC Law School has catastrophic implications for your future. It may cause you to forgo your degree altogether. Without the help of a skilled attorney advisor, you may experience graduation delays or dismissal due to a violation of academic integrity standards.
Honor Code at MC Law School
According to the Honor Code, MC Law School promotes and encourages academic integrity to promote mutual respect and accountability. Adhering to the principles of the code indicates individual responsibility and trust. Academic integrity is high on the behavioral expectations at MC Law School, as it governs how people work and interact with one another in the community. All Law School students must take the following oath before they start classes:
“I understand that I am joining a professional academic community. The law school and the legal profession share important values, which are reflected in the Mississippi College School of Law Honor Code. I have read this Honor Code and commit to conducting myself in a way that honors its standards and values.”
The code lists prohibited actions and details the adjudication process in detail. Activities considered academic misconduct includes:
- Cheating: When students cheat, they use unauthorized materials like notebooks and phones to complete an academic exercise or test. Another example in the code is receiving or assisting a peer without a professor's permission.
- Collaboration: Law students cannot collaborate on assignments without a professor's approval.
- Plagiarism: According to the code, this action involves the inappropriate use of other people's work without giving credit.
- Damaging Materials: This action comes in many forms. Examples provided in the code include moving law school library materials so that other students don't have access. It also includes removing pages from books and damaging law school property.
- Deception and Misrepresentation: Students may not lie or misrepresent their work, academic records, credentials, or other information relating to academic matters.
- Electronic Dishonesty: Students must refrain from using network or computer access to tamper with their or another student's account.
- Facilitating Academic Dishonesty: Even if students do not cheat, they must also refrain from helping others cheat or commit a dishonest action.
- Violating Test Time Protocol: This violation includes failing to stop writing a test after the allotted time ends.
- Failing to Report: Failure to report violations of the honor code is grounds for sanctions at MC Law School.
- Conspiracy: Students may not conspire with other students to go against the honor code.
- Anonymous Allegations: Students may not accuse others of academic misconduct without disclosing their identity.
- Arrests and Prior Convictions: Failing to disclose an arrest or conviction
Violating the honor code comes with heavy sanctions that negatively impact your progress and future career as a lawyer. Although law schools must maintain a fair and level playing field for all students, accusations without merit are not uncommon. They may ruin a student's life despite a lack of evidence.
Procedures and Hearing
Someone who believes a student violated the honor code must report the incident to the Honor Code Advisor. The advisor notifies and consults with affected faculty members and may interview the person making the allegation. After receiving the complaint, the advisor determines whether the report warrants an investigation.
Once the investigation concludes, the advisor determines whether a violation occurred. If it did, the advisor calls a meeting with the accused student and imposes a sanction based on the evidence and the interview. The advisor recommends n appropriate sanction to the Dean and informs the accused of their decision.
There is no hearing for academic misconduct violations. The Dean decides on the outcome and may modify findings or sanctions. Moreover, students may not appeal the decision once made.
Sanctions for Academic Misconduct
MC Law School imposes strict sanctions for academic misconduct. Before making the decision, the Dean considers the student's history and whether they committed a prior offense. The penalties include:
- An oral or written warning
- An oral or written reprimand
- Law School or community service
- Educational task
- Counseling
- An academic penalty such as a failing grade
- Suspending law school privileges
- Disciplinary probation
- Revocation of admission
- Denial of a Dean's Certificate
- Suspension
- Expulsion
- Degree Revocation
The most damaging of these penalties are suspension, expulsion, and revocation of a degree. With all that can go wrong, you need the help of a skilled attorney advisor specializing in student defense.
Hiring an Attorney-Advisor
Whether you made an honest mistake or had a lapse in judgment, you deserve a fair and transparent investigation at MC Law School. Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento specializes in student defense. With years of experience working with law students nationwide accused of academic misconduct, advisor Lento is by your side.
Law school is a notoriously rigorous time in your life, and you will face challenges as you progress in your program. Don't let one mistake or misunderstanding undo all the years of hard work and effort placed into your degree.
If you or someone you love face allegations of academic misconduct at MC Law School, don't wait until it's too late. Every minute counts when your degree is on the line.
Call the Lento Law Firm today for a discreet and detailed conversation about your circumstances at 888-535-3686.
