The Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College is committed to high academic, professional, and personal conduct standards. Each student should have the respect from their community to enjoy their rights of intellectual freedom. The Law School asks students to behave ethically, with honesty and integrity to uphold such high standards.
Students who do not conduct themselves according to the principles that govern Lewis and Clark Law School may face disciplinary action. In addition to sanctions imposed by the Law School, students may have to explain a misconduct notation on their school record to a potential employer or why there is a gap in their legal education. With an accusation of academic or professional misconduct, students may also struggle to pass the character and fitness evaluation required by their state bar association.
If you are accused of misconduct at Lewis and Clark Law School, your future as a lawyer could be in jeopardy. Consider consulting an experienced student defense attorney-advisor for help.
Student Misconduct at Lewis and Clark Law School
Lewis and Clark Law School has a Student Honor and Conduct Code outlining expectations for behavior and review procedures for suspected violations of the Code. Responsibility for student conduct lies with students and faculty. However, it's essential for law students to follow the Code's guidelines because it resembles the conduct standards they'll have to follow as practicing attorneys.
Examples of Academic Misconduct at Lewis and Clark Law School
Some of the following behaviors are prohibited for Lewis and Clark Law School students and subject to disciplinary action:
- Giving, seeking, or receiving aid before, during, or after an exam when such aid provides an unfair advantage
- Submitting written work for academic credit if another person has prepared the work in whole or in part (joint authorship for papers is allowed)
- Submitting a paper or portion of a paper for credit in more than one course
- Intentionally tearing, mutilating, marking, writing in, or otherwise destroying library materials
- Intentionally hiding, concealing, removing, or mis-shelving library materials
- Intentionally damaging, viewing without permission, or taking without permission another student's notes, books, papers, or other academic materials
- Intentionally furnishing false information to administrative staff or faculty members concerning a law school matter
- Students installing their own copies of any software on computers owned by Lewis and Clark College
How Lewis and Clark Law School Handles Misconduct
Students who suspect a violation of the Honor and Conduct Code must report it to a faculty member or Associate Dean of Student Affairs within five days. If it involves a library violation, the student must report it to a non-student library staff member. Faculty and staff may deal with violations of the Honor Code directly or report them to the Associate Dean.
Informal Resolution
If an Honor Code violation involves an exam, written or oral work, or another matter relating to a class a faculty member teaches, the faculty member can handle the suspected conduct violation. Faculty must notify students of the charge against them and give them a chance to respond before imposing any sanctions. Students can receive sanctions such as reprimand, grade reduction, failing grade, corrective work, or dismissal from the class from faculty members. Faculty cannot, however, expel, suspend, or place a student on probation.
Honor & Conduct Committee
If the Associate Dean receives a report of suspected misconduct and the matter isn't handled through an informal resolution, the Dean refers the matter to the Honor and Conduct Committee. This committee includes two faculty members and one student. The Honor and Conduct Committee investigates the matter and makes a determination concerning the student's guilt. During the investigation, the Committee can consult with the faculty involved and must give the accused student the opportunity to present their side of the story before it makes a decision.
The Honor and Conduct Committee has the authority to make its own procedures for investigating a conduct violation, so students may not get a full disciplinary hearing with a right to outside counsel.
If the Committee finds a violation occurred, it will recommend a penalty. If it finds no violation, the Associate Dean will withdraw any penalties previously imposed. Although the Committee can recommend penalties, only the Associate Dean of Student Affairs has the authority to impose a penalty and report it to the student.
Appeals
The Lewis and Clark Law School Honor and Conduct Code has narrow limitations for appeals. The only appeal procedures available are:
- If a student is dropped from a class by the administration for disruptive behavior, they can appeal to the Dean.
- A student who has received a penalty under the informal resolution procedure may appeal and have the matter referred to the Honor and Conduct Committee. The student must request an appeal to the Dean within ten calendar days of receiving the informal resolution report.
A decision taken by the Honor and Conduct Committee and a penalty imposed by the Associated Dean of Student Affairs due to a Committee decision cannot be appealed.
Possible Sanctions
Penalties for violations of the Honor and Conduct Code may include but are not limited to:
- Reprimand
- Probation
- Failing grade
- Paying damages
- Suspension
- Expulsion
Consult a Student Defense Attorney-Advisor
If you're accused of violating the Honor and Conduct Code at Lewis and Clark Law School, how can a student defense legal specialist help? They can ensure your law school upholds your rights and help you prepare your defense, including when you speak with a faculty member, during an investigation, and before the Committee. With the guidance of an experienced student discipline attorney-advisor, you greatly increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento has helped students nationwide in academic misconduct matters and he can assist you when facing such concerns at Lewis and Clark Law School. Contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686.
