It's no easy task getting into medical school. Making it into SUNY Downstate College of Medicine takes enormous discipline, dedication, and sacrifice. A single allegation of academic misconduct can undo all of that hard work.
How do you protect yourself?
- First, you make absolutely sure you understand the rules. There is no room for error when it comes to dishonesty.
- Second, you make absolutely sure you know how the disciplinary process at the College of Medicine works. Misunderstandings happen, and you need to be prepared for anything.
- Finally, you make absolutely sure you have the Lento Law Firm attorney on your side. You can't afford to try to handle an accusation on your own, and the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team offers you your best chance of success.
We know what you're dealing with, and we understand the stakes in a way other lawyers just can't. We've helped hundreds of students defend themselves, and we're familiar with SUNY Downstate COM policies and procedures. You can be sure we'll use every resource at our disposal to protect your rights and get you the best possible resolution to your case.
It is important you contact us as soon as possible, though. Medical schools often move quickly, and you can be sure the School of Medicine is already building its case. You should be building your defense. To find out how we can help, call 888-535-3686 today, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Defining Academic Misconduct
The SUNY Downstate COM Student Handbook lists four specific academic integrity violations. These will probably be familiar to you. They're the same ones you'll come across at any college or university.
- Plagiarism
- Academic dishonesty (i.e., "cheating")
- Forgery
- Sabotage
The Handbook is also careful to note that these are only “examples” of academic misconduct. Any action you take that might tend to give you an unfair advantage in your coursework can result in a charge.
What can happen if you're charged? We'll get into how to deal with a charge below, but you need to know that a "responsible" (guilty) outcome likely means dismissal. Medical school isn't like being an undergraduate. Most colleges and universities impose course sanctions for cheating and plagiarism, like lower grades on papers. At this point, you're expected to know and follow the rules, and when you don't, you're done.
This is why it's so important you don't try to handle your case on your own. You're facing a powerful institution, and the stakes are enormous. You need help from a knowledgeable, experienced law firm. You need the Lento Law Firm attorney in your corner, protecting your rights and fighting for your interests.
Disciplinary Procedures at SUNY Downstate COM
If we've given the impression that medical schools are strict and that the slightest misstep can cost you your career, that's because those things are true. However, it is just as true that you can successfully defend yourself from academic misconduct charges. In fact, as the accused, you actually have some pretty powerful due process rights, like the right to a presumption of “not responsible.” The Lento Law Firm attorney can help you use these rights effectively.
- First, you need to know that the COM must believe any complaints against you are credible before it issues any formal charges.
- Complaints are handled by the Vice President for Student Affairs. If this official decides to charge you, they must provide you with notice of those charges. This notice must describe the complaint, and it must apprise you of all your due process rights.
- The Vice President then constitutes a five-member ad hoc committee to consider the matter.
- The committee conducts at least some type of investigation. The COM cannot proceed against you without evidence to substantiate the charges.
- The process should also include a formal hearing, an opportunity for both sides to present their full cases. As part of this hearing, you have the right to offer evidence and call witnesses. The other side will do the same, but you also have the right to raise questions about any evidence being used against you.
- Ultimately, committee members are tasked with determining whether the “preponderance of the evidence” points to your responsibility. In simple terms, the issue is whether it seems “more likely than not” that you committed the offense.
- Once the hearing is over, you then have the right to appeal the outcome. Appeals must be based on issues of procedural fairness. That is, you need to be able to show either that the university made some error in prosecuting the case, some new piece of evidence deserves consideration, or the school has imposed a penalty that is more severe than the offense warrants.
Among your several due process rights, you have the right to an advisor of your choice. To be clear, your advisor cannot speak for you. You must defend yourself. However, the Lento Law Firm attorney can prepare you to do that. Your attorney will make sure, for instance, that you're ready for any investigative meetings. They'll work with you to collect evidence and help you to outline your hearing presentation. They can suggest questions for witnesses and coach you in delivering your defense. And they'll draft an appeal on your behalf should that become necessary. Finally, from start to finish, they'll be holding SUNY Downstate COM to account for respecting your due process rights. More than anything else, it is the Lento Law Firm attorney's job to make sure you're treated fairly and that you get a just resolution.
The Lento Law Firm is Always on Your Side
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 we 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.
