At Indiana University's Mauer School of Law, students must behave according to the standards set by the school. Maurer Law School expects every student to conduct themselves with honesty, professionalism, courtesy, and kindness. The law school recognizes that its students are preparing to enter a profession with high ethical standards and therefore encourages students to follow not only the law school's rules concerning conduct but also guidelines set forth by the Indiana State Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
Before law graduates can become licensed attorneys, they must demonstrate the character fitness required to practice law. Forms of misconduct involving violations of trust in leadership positions, academic dishonesty, persistent lateness or absences, or failure to disclose relevant incidents to either the law school or the bar may prohibit law graduates from passing the character and fitness evaluation.
If you are a law student facing an allegation of misconduct by Maurer Law, understand that your law school will take the case seriously. You should consider it a grave matter as well, and contact a student discipline defense attorney-advisor as soon as possible.
Student Misconduct at the Maurer School of Law
Law students at the Maurer Law must abide by the school's Academic Regulations and Professionalism Guidelines, in addition to the IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct. Both IU and the Maurer Law expect law students to follow all federal, state, and local laws as well. Concerning matters of academic misconduct, Maurer Law has final jurisdiction over investigating cases and disciplinary action. For personal misconduct, the Law School and UI have joint jurisdiction.
The Maurer School of Law has a student Honor Code as well, which consists of the policies set out in the IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct, the Academic Regulations, and Professionalism Guidelines.
Examples of Academic Misconduct at Maurer Law School
The Maurer School of Law's Academic Regulations list some of the following examples of academic misconduct:
- Using unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise or examination
- Engaging in authorized collaboration through any means, including the use of technology
- Copying from another student's examination
- Obtaining or providing unauthorized information about the contents of an examination prior to its being administered
- Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly representing the words or ideas of another as one's own in any academic exercise
- Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly submitting the same or substantially the same work to satisfy requirements for academic credit in more than one course
- Forgery, falsification, or misrepresentation
- Stealing, destroying, damaging, or hiding library materials
- Impeding or damaging the academic work of others
- Attempting to commit academic misconduct or assisting another with committing academic misconduct
Law students must also not engage in academic misconduct outlined in the UI Code.
Examples of Professional Misconduct at Maurer School of Law
The Maurer School of Law Career Services Office has guidelines that law students should follow to help maintain the high standards or professionalism that the school is known for. Employers have certain expectations about graduates from Maurer Law, and students who conduct themselves unprofessionally reflect poorly on the entire law school.
The professional guidelines cover four major areas:
- Employment offers: Students shouldn't renege on offers of employment once they've accepted and cancel other interviews after they've accepted a job offer.
- Interviews: Students should only apply for positions for which they would accept an offer, avoid scheduling interviews during class time, be punctual to all interviews, and write a letter of apology to a potential employer for a missed interview.
- Representation: Students should represent themselves honestly to potential employers on resumes and cover letters, wear appropriate and professional attire, and represent their GPAs accurately.
- Communication: Students should send formal and professional emails, keep all appointments with the Career Services Office, and send thank you notes to potential employers after interviews.
If a student fails to uphold professionalism standards, Maurer Law may communicate it to the state bar association.
The Process for Student Misconduct at Maurer School of Law
At Maurer Law, faculty members can handle suspected incidents of academic misconduct, but they must consult with the Dean of Students first. The Dean may decide to investigate the matter further and appoint an Investigatory Committee (comprised of two faculty members and one student) to do so.
The Investigatory Committee has the right to conduct an informal hearing as part of its investigation. The Committee presents its results to the accusing faculty member, along with recommended sanctions. The faculty member determines if the student committed academic misconduct and can implement or ignore the recommended sanction.
After the Dean of Students notifies a student that there is an adverse determination of academic misconduct against them, the student may appeal to the Petitions and Appeals Committee. Students have 14 days to file an appeal. If the student disagrees with the decision of the Petitions and Appeals Committee, they can appeal to the Dean. The Dean's decision will be final.
Possible Sanctions
Maurer Law may administer the following sanctions for academic misconduct:
- Lower or failing grade on an assignment
- Repeating an assignment
- Completing an additional assignment
- Lower or failing grade for a course
- Required withdrawal from a course
- Other sanctions as appropriate
Can a Student Defense Attorney Help?
If you're a Maurer Law student accused of academic or professional misconduct, there's a lot at stake. Guilty determinations could result in failed courses at an absolute minimum, which sets you back as your progress toward your law degree. Potential employers and the state bar will also be able to see records of academic and professional misconduct, which could jeopardize your chances of obtaining employment or becoming a licensed attorney. A student defense legal advisor can help you through the disciplinary process to ensure your rights are protected.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento has assisted hundreds of law students nationwide in discipline matters. To safeguard your future as a lawyer, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686.
