With the rapid increase in easy-to-use artificial intelligence tools such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, Anthropic's Claude, Google's Gemini, and others, it's easier than ever for students to get help when they are having problems with their studies. Unfortunately, it's also easier for students to let the AI bot do some or all of the work while the students attempt to take credit for it. When you add AI cheating to other more traditional forms of academic dishonesty, such as plagiarism or old-fashioned unauthorized collaboration on tests and projects, schools face significant challenges when it comes to rooting out and disciplining academic misconduct.

While it may be easier than ever to cheat, the consequences of getting caught are still severe. A record of academic misconduct can make it harder for you to continue in school as well as to get the job you want after you're out. That said, not every misconduct claim is valid. That's why if you've been accused of academic misconduct, you need the help of an experienced attorney from the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team. Call us today at 888.535.3686 or use our contact form to schedule a confidential consultation.

Consequences of Academic Misconduct

Every school has a code of conduct that it expects students to follow. These codes cover academic as well as other types of misconduct and typically come with a set of procedures that apply to how misconduct claims are investigated and what schools will do if they believe the claims to be valid. Typical penalties range from verbal warnings to written censure to failed classes, to academic suspension, to expulsion in the most serious cases. The consequences of academic discipline, however, can extend beyond whatever penalty your school applies in your case.

Problems Enrolling at Other Schools

When your school's disciplinary action is noted on your transcript, the penalty can affect you for years after you've graduated or left the school. If you try to enroll at another school, whether to earn another degree or to complete the degree that was interrupted by your own misconduct, the school you're applying to will see the notation on your transcript. The result: it can be much more difficult to find another school, particularly a quality school, that will accept you as a student.

Loss of Scholarships

Another potential consequence of a finding that you've committed academic misconduct is the loss of any scholarships that may have been awarded to you. Many scholarships require you to meet both academic and ethical standards. If your school finds that you cheated, you could lose a scholarship as an indirect consequence.

Difficulty Finding a Job

Employment can also be a challenge, particularly if the employer requires you to submit an official copy of your transcript as part of the application process. A candidate with a demonstrated history of academic misconduct is more likely to face hiring challenges than one who has a clean record.

You Need a Strong Defense if Accused of Academic Misconduct

One of the downsides of AI research tools is that sometimes schools will accuse students of using them to cheat when, in fact, the students genuinely believed that they were using the tools to help with research or to understand concepts that they needed to learn as part of their schooling. In other cases, schools will accuse students of academic misconduct with little or no reliable evidence that they actually did so. This is when it can be enormously helpful to work with an experienced attorney from the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team.

Our attorneys regularly protect the rights of students accused of academic and other types of misconduct. We understand that schools don't always properly or fully investigate misconduct claims and that, very often, there is another side to the story, one that demonstrates that our student clients did not cheat. We know the laws, rules, and procedures that schools are supposed to follow when disciplining students, and we will fight to protect your rights and defend you from accusations that could follow you for years to come.

Don't go it alone when it comes to defending yourself against accusations of academic misconduct. There is simply too much at stake. Call the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team today at 888.535.3686 or fill out our contact form, and we will schedule a confidential consultation. Tell us about your case, and let us tell you how we can help you protect your future.