You might be surprised to learn this, but struggling academically in medical school won't necessarily doom your career as a physician. The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine wants you to succeed. It's invested a lot of time and money in accepting you, and faculty and administrators will usually work with you even if you should fail an exam or an entire course. Like most schools, it has something called a “remediation” program in place to help students catch up when they fall behind.
On the other hand, UMMSM has absolutely no tolerance when it comes to academic misconduct. Doctors are held to higher standards of ethical and moral values, and expectations begin in medical school.
What do you do if you should find yourself accused? Given what's at stake, it's important you take any allegations seriously. That means responding quickly and decisively to charges. It also means you're going to need professional help preparing your case.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is always on your side, no matter what the situation. We work exclusively in the field of student defense, and we have the background and experience to protect your rights and ensure you the best possible resolution to your case.
What can we do for you? Find out by calling 888-535-3686 today, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Academic Misconduct at UMMSM
The rules when it comes to academic misconduct at UMMSM aren't significantly different than the rules at your undergraduate institution. The truth is, probably as far back as elementary school, someone explained to you exactly what academic integrity means. Typically, schools specifically prohibit
- Cheating: The use of any unauthorized materials to complete your coursework;
- Plagiarism: The attempt to pass another person's work off as your own;
- Misrepresentation: Falsification of any materials as part of a course assignment.
More broadly, any action you take that could potentially give you an unfair academic advantage qualifies as an academic misconduct violation.
Of course, your elementary school, high school, and university didn't dismiss you over first offenses. While they certainly took academic integrity seriously, first offenses probably meant a classroom sanction—maybe a lower grade on an assignment or a lower course grade, and at worst, course failure. That's not how things work at medical school. UMMSM has a no-tolerance policy towards dishonesty, and one slip can mean the end of your career in medicine.
You've invested far too much time, energy, and money to get to this point. With so much on the line, you can't afford to try to handle an allegation by yourself. Even a local attorney won't do. You need someone on your side who has represented student clients. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team knows how UMMSM processes and procedures work. We offer you your very best chance of successfully defending yourself from academic misconduct charges.
Building Your Defense
The School of Medicine's disciplinary process isn't the same as the criminal justice system. However, just as in the criminal justice system, you have important due process rights.
- While anyone at the UMMSM can accuse you of academic misconduct, the School must believe accusations are credible and actionable before it issues a formal charge against you.
- If you have been charged, you can expect the School to issue an official notice of those charges. Notice should include an explanation of the allegations and a list of all your due process rights.
- The School must conduct some type of investigation. It cannot proceed without evidence to substantiate the charges. You have the right to give your side of the story as part of this investigation, to submit evidence, and to suggest witnesses. Further, you are entitled to review any evidence investigators uncover.
- Once investigators complete their work, they'll submit their findings to the School. At this point, the School sets a time and date for a hearing into the matter. You may face one or more decision-makers, but they should all have some basic training in judicial procedure, and they should all be free of any bias in your case.
- At the hearing, both sides have the opportunity to present evidence. This evidence can be physical, or it can involve witness testimony. Again, a hearing is not a criminal trial, and rules of procedure are relaxed.
- Ultimately, decision-makers employ a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence” to determine your level of “responsibility” (guilt). If it seems “more likely than not” that you committed the offense, they are obligated under this standard to find you responsible.
- You should also have a chance to appeal the hearing outcome if you can demonstrate that you were denied in any way the right to a fair defense. Typically, grounds for appeal include procedural errors, the discovery of new evidence, or a sanction that seems disproportionate to the offense.
UMMSM policies don't clarify whether or not you are entitled to an advisor. It's important you know, though, that the school cannot prohibit you from consulting with a Lento Law Firm attorney, and we can play a crucial role in building your defense even if we never step foot on the UMMSM campus. You can count on us to help you uncover evidence and respond to investigators. We'll work with you to develop your strongest arguments and outline your hearing presentation. We'll suggest questions for witnesses. We're on your side no matter what, and we'll 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.
