Being Accused of Academic Dishonesty - Can a Skilled Academic Lawyer Help?

What according to you is the most serious accusation that a college student can be subject to? Isn't it academic dishonesty? Well, academic dishonesty is certainly one of the biggest accusations that can damage the reputation of a college student. Are you someone who has been alleged of online cheating and other academic misconduct or are you facing some kind of disciplinary action? If yes, you need to seek the help of a skilled academic lawyer to enhance the chance of securing a favorable consequence of the situation.

Such charges can lead to tough consequences if not attended immediately like loss of credit, loss of financial aid, permanent suspension from college, or suspension for a few terms in college. Scroll down to know more about your rights and how an attorney can help you out.

Can I Seek the Help of an Academic Attorney?

In case you're someone who has been charged with cheating, it is most likely that you'll need to attend a disciplinary hearing to come to terms with the allegations and appeal for your innocence. However, whether or not you can get the help of an attorney will depend on your school's or college's policies. If the student manual dictates that you may have the presence of an attorney who'll represent you at the court, a lawyer can offer vital legal guidance to make sure you're ready for the hearing.

Once you seek assistance from an academic lawyer, he can help you with the following tasks:

• Explore the honor code of your school.

• Haggle for a diminished punishment.

• Campaigning for a private withdrawal.

• Deciding whether or not your behavior was banned.

There are several cases where even the most honest students are charged with online cheating. Most often, the overreaction of the professors leads to such cases of accusation. However, if you join hands with a skilled attorney, he can utilize his vast expertise and make sure your rights are protected during such trying times.

Tips From Student Defense Attorneys to Stay Away From Inaccurate Accusations

• Conduct the exam in a peaceful and calm place

When you have to sit for an online examination, the location chosen has to be quiet. This automatically reduces the surrounding noises like that of pets or neighbors. There are cases where even the noise of a cat or dog is misinterpreted by the teacher as someone entering the room where the exam is being taken.

• The location of the exam should have no distractions

You may feel lured to sit in front of the window and write your exam but this isn't a smart idea. Sitting in front of the window will make you distracted as you may look around and admire the beauty of nature. These gestures could be picked up by the teacher and be interpreted as looking off the camera or using unauthorized chits of paper for cheating.

• Capture a video of the surroundings before the exam

Before you sit for your exam, record a short video panning the space where you're sitting. This recording is proof of the fact that there are no illegitimate or unapproved materials on the floor, walls, or even the ceiling. Note down the day and time of the recording. Once this is done, keep all phones and other devices outside the room. In case there is an accusation, later on, you could at least show that you took the exam at a place where there were no illegal documents present.

Therefore, if you want to protect your rights as a student, get ahold of the best attorney. However, before appointing one, ensure he understands the requirements of your child. Students with special needs should receive various services. Check whether the attorney has knowledge of the ever-changing special education laws.