Getting into the UT Health Science Center program was a huge boost to your academic career, and it could be the start of something more. UTHSCSA is a premier medical school, and it can serve as the foundation for a strong career in medicine. You’re not there yet, though. There’s still a long way to go before you can call yourself a doctor.

One of the things that can trip you up before you get there is an allegation of academic misconduct. In fact, while you can probably survive a failed class or two or a rough clinical experience, a single charge of cheating can be enough to get you dismissed and, thus, end your career in health care.

Things don’t have to end that way, though. There are ways to fight misconduct allegations if you have the right help on your side. What’s the right help? LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team was founded to protect student rights. We’re practicing defense attorneys, but we’re focused on helping students defend themselves from misconduct charges. We know the law, and we know how UTHSCSA administrative and judicial procedures work. We’re always on your side and ready to use every resource at our disposal to make sure you get the best possible resolution to your case.

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.

Defining Academic Misconduct

By this point, you probably don’t need us to define academic misconduct for you. Your undergraduate institution likely had strict rules. For that matter, your high school probably had its own policy against classroom dishonesty.

You can be sure that any school, including UTHSCSA, expects you to complete all of your coursework and earn your degree honestly. Any action you take that could potentially give you an unfair advantage in doing those things is always going to be a violation of school policy.

More specifically, UTHSCSA’s Handbook of Operating Policies (HOP) prohibits

  • Cheating: The use of any unauthorized resource in completing your coursework
  • Plagiarism: The attempt to pass another person’s work off as your own
  • Collusion: Unauthorized collaboration with another student in completing your coursework
  • Misrepresentation: Providing false or misleading information to gain an academic advantage

Your high school and college may have barred all these forms of academic misconduct, but it certainly didn’t take violations as seriously as UTHSCSA does. No one treats misconduct as seriously as a medical school. Physicians—and future physicians—are held to the very highest standards of ethics and personal integrity. The minimum penalty if you’re caught cheating at UTHSCSA is typically suspension. The fact is, though, that if you’re found responsible for (guilty of) an offense, you should expect to be dismissed.

This is precisely why you need the LLF National Law Firm attorney on your side. Absolutely everything is at stake—all the work you’ve done up to this point and all the success you’re looking forward to in the future. You want the best help you can get to defend yourself. You want someone from LLF National Law Firm.

The Process of Defending Yourself

UTHSCSA policies are strict, and the punishments for violating those policies can be severe. However, you do have some important rights meant to protect you and ensure justice is done in your case (see the HOP). For example, just as in the criminal justice system, you are innocent until proven guilty (“not responsible until proven responsible”). The school needs evidence to prove your guilt, and it must provide you with an opportunity to defend yourself at a formal hearing.

Here’s a rough outline of what you can expect.

  • The Health Center Dean is responsible for coordinating all misconduct investigations, including those into academic misconduct. As soon as someone lodges a complaint against you, this official performs a cursory investigation to determine whether formal charges are warranted and, if so, what the appropriate sanction should be in the case.
  • You are entitled to notice of any charges against you. This notice must include a description of the allegations and a complete list of your due process rights.
  • Among your rights, you are allowed to select an advisor to offer you support during the investigation and adjudication processes. Further, this advisor can be an attorney. The LLF National Law Firm attorney cannot speak for you, but they can prepare you to respond to questions and make certain you’re ready for any hearings.
  • As part of the investigation, you have the right to give your side of the story. You may offer evidence, and you may suggest witnesses. In addition, you have the right to review any evidence in the case.
  • Once the investigation is complete, the case moves into its next phase—a hearing.
  • One or more Hearing Officers is assigned to preside over your case. Both sides have the right to present evidence before these officers and to call witnesses to testify. You may also dispute any evidence being used against you.
  • Board decisions are based on a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” According to this standard, you are responsible (guilty) if it seems “more likely than not” that you committed the offense.
  • Decision-makers are instructed to decide the case using a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” According to this standard, you are responsible (guilty) if it seems “more likely than not” that you committed the offense.
  • A responsible outcome isn’t necessarily the end of your case if you can show that you were denied a fair chance to make your case. Grounds for appeal include issues like the discovery of new evidence, allegations of a procedural error, or a disproportionate sanction.

Your LLF National Law Firm attorney will help you with every part of your case. They’ll work with you to gather evidence and coach you in responding to investigators. They’ll draft your hearing presentation and suggest questions for witnesses. Most importantly, they’ll monitor everything that happens and make sure UTHSCSA respects all of your fundamental due process rights.

LLF National Law Firm is On Your Side

LLF National 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 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 LLF National Law Firm can do by calling 888-535-3686, or take time right now to fill out our online questionnaire.

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

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