We expect a lot from physicians. They have to know everything there is to know about the human body and how to treat it. Beyond this, they have to be individuals of impeccable character, people whose moral and ethical compasses are above reproach. We don't have to tell you this, but those high expectations begin in medical school.
Take a look at the New York Medical College policy on Academic Integrity, and you'll immediately notice that these rules and regulations aren't just in place to make sure you're learning course and clinical material. Obviously, that's important. No one wants to worry that their doctor isn't properly trained when they're sitting in the waiting room. The more important issue, though, is integrity. Academic honesty is included in the College's larger policy on “professionalism.” Put simply, any allegation of dishonesty—even a first offense—can be enough to end your medical career altogether.
With so much on the line, you can't afford to try to handle your case on your own. The average attorney won't have the knowledge and background to protect you properly. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm are far from average, though. Our Student Defense Team was built to handle student misconduct issues, and we've helped hundreds of students defend themselves from all types of charges. We're practicing defense attorneys, but we work specifically with student clients. We don't just know the law; we know how your school operates.
What can we do for you? Call 888-535-3686 to find out, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Academic Integrity at New York Medical College
You know the drill. You've been hearing about the rules of academic honesty since elementary school. Those rules are still basically the same now that you're in medical school. New York Medical College's Code of Academic Integrity and Professionalism mentions:
- Cheating: Using unauthorized sources to complete your coursework, from crib notes to another student.
- Plagiarism: The attempt to pass another person's work off as your own without giving them due acknowledgment.
- Misrepresentation: Providing the College with false or misleading information in an effort to gain an academic advantage.
- Research Misconduct: Failing to abide by ethical standards of conduct when conducting research.
What has changed since you were an elementary school student and even an undergraduate are the stakes. Most colleges and universities assign classroom sanctions to first offenses, and even second offenses may not lead to dismissal. The minimum sanction you can expect if you're caught cheating at New York Medical College is suspension. The far more likely punishment you'll face is dismissal—the end of your career in medicine.
Don't risk this outcome. Make sure you have the Lento Law Firm attorney in your corner, protecting your interests and insisting that the College protect your rights.
Judicial Processes and Procedures
New York College of Medicine can't just accuse you and dismiss you. Under its own policies, it must provide you with due process, starting with a presumption of innocence (“not responsible”). You are entitled to a thorough investigation and to defend yourself at a hearing. Only “a preponderance of evidence” can result in a “responsible” (guilty) outcome
- Academic misconduct cases are handled by the Program Director and overseen by the Vice Dean.
- If you are under investigation, the College must provide you with notice of the charges against you. This notice should explain the allegations and include a list of your due process rights.
- As part of the investigation, the Program Director meets with both the instructor and the respondent (the accused, you). In addition, they'll collect any physical evidence associated with the accusation.
- You have the right to submit your own evidence and to suggest witnesses who may have knowledge of events. In addition, you are entitled to review any evidence uncovered during the course of the investigation.
- Once the investigation is complete, the Program Director may suggest a resolution. Whether they do or not, you always have the option to request a formal hearing into the matter.
- The Vice Dean appoints a hearing committee to be made up of two students and three faculty members. All should be unbiased, and you have the right to challenge any of them if you believe they cannot fairly judge the case.
- At the hearing itself, you offer evidence, including witness testimony. You should also be allowed to raise questions about any evidence being used against you, including witness testimony.
- Hearing decisions are based on a legal standard known as "preponderance of the evidence." In simple terms, you are responsible for (guilty of) the offense if committee members are more than fifty percent convinced you committed the offense.
- If you are found “not responsible,” your case is over. If, on the other hand, you are found responsible, you still have the option to appeal your case. However, appeals must be based on sufficient grounds and some unfairness in the process itself. This might be the discovery of new evidence, an instance of procedural error, or a disproportionate sanction.
Throughout the process, you have the right to an advisor who may be an attorney. The Lento Law Firm attorney cannot "represent" you the way they would at a criminal trial. You must speak on your own behalf. It's your attorney's job, though, to prepare you to do that. They'll work with you to collect evidence, for instance, help you draft your hearing presentation, and suggest questions for witnesses. Of course, they'll also be on hand throughout the process to offer advice, and from start to finish, they'll put pressure on the medical school to respect all of your due process rights.
Fighting For Your Future
The Lento Law Firm knows what's at stake in a way other firms just don't. The attorneys who make up our Student Defense Team have dedicated their lives to ensuring schools treat students fairly, and they care about your future. No one else has the knowledge of campus justice that they do. No one else can show you how to use the system to your advantage.
If you're being forced to fight for your educational future, don't try to handle the situation yourself, and don't trust your case to a local attorney. Find out more about what the Lento Law Firm can do by calling 888-535-3686, or take time right now to fill out our online questionnaire.
