Academic Dishonesty Lawyer
An academic dishonesty finding on your educational record from a Manhattan college or university can have implications that reach far beyond the walls of the school. Not only can such an allegation ruin your chances of graduating or proceeding into further education for a higher degree, but academic institutions are required to provide disciplinary records when requested. Further, many professional organizations — not just educational ones — can access these records.
An academic dishonesty mark on your record can eliminate your chances of going to a prestigious graduate school, law school, or medical school. Even if you’re not planning on pursuing further education, many employers in the private market are performing more extensive due diligence in their hiring process than ever before, and government agencies have a history of looking at disciplinary records when taking on new recruits. The far-reaching effects of being accused of violating the academic integrity code in a college environment are enough of a reason to have a vested interest in knowing how to fight academic dishonesty charges.
Seeking the help of an experienced academic dishonesty lawyer in Manhattan is a good first step to defending yourself from a dishonesty mark on your permanent record. TonaLaw fights for the rights of students accused of cheating and academic dishonesty, and we will fight for you. Helping you understand and combat the charges against you is our top priority, and we can get started on your case as soon as possible. Call us at 1-833-TONALAW to schedule a free consultation to discuss the details of your Manhattan academic dishonesty case.
Your Educational Records May Be Accessible To Future Employers
Unfortunately, the 1974 Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) does not provide students as much protection as they often believe. While in many instances it does keep schools from releasing student information without the student’s authorization, it does not prevent them from releasing to a variety of external parties, many of which could be related to future employment or educational opportunities.
When it comes to future education, be aware that the following entities have the right to access your educational disciplinary records, even with the protections FERPA offers:
- School officials
- Other schools a student is transferring to
- Specified officials relating to audit or evaluation purposes
- Organizations related to financial aid for schooling
Beyond this, many government entities have the right to request records, which will show academic dishonesty findings. Accrediting organizations, a judge’s orders or a subpoena, officials involved in health and safety, and sometimes state and local authorities are also able to access your educational history, based on other qualifying factors.
Defending Against Accusations of Academic Dishonesty With a Manhattan Student’s Rights Attorney
One major benefit of FERPA is the right it gives students to demand a formal hearing when attempting to amend their academic record. If a school refuses to make changes to your record, you have the right to a hearing, which will allow you to make your case and attempt to have your academic dishonesty charges changed or expunged. For this reason, enlisting the help of an experienced academic dishonesty lawyer in New York can increase the chances that such a hearing could go well for you.
Many students lose hope in the face of college cheating charges and assume they must comply with investigations or offer an admission of any role they played in alleged academic fraud. Acquiescing to charges can seriously risk your future employment and educational opportunities. For example, in early 2020, many students enrolled at SUNY Stony Brook University admitted to cheating after a professor’s accusations, likely leading to academic dishonesty marks on their permanent academic record, along with other potential disciplinary action.
TonaLaw represented one of the students involved in this event. We were able to prepare our clients for questioning, and they were provided with the skills to make an opening statement in their hearing that adequately outlined their defense. Our legal team was able to uncover information that showed the professor’s accusations were not based on “clear and convincing” evidence, which is required according to the school’s own written policies. The hearing was concluded mid-session, and all charges against our client were dropped. They later graduated without any history of academic dishonesty and were able to apply to graduate schools without any delays — or the weight of an unfair demerit on their record.
All TonaLaw Academic Dishonesty case studies:
- TonaLaw successfully represented and defended a student accused of academic dishonesty at a Top 100 University in the Nation
- TonaLaw Defends Student at SUNY Accused of Academic Dishonesty, Student Was Cleared of Any Wrongdoing
- Stony Brook Case Study
Tirelessly Representing Students of Manhattan Schools
Manhattan is globally recognized for its high-quality educational institutions, from classical 4-year programs to specialty institutes for the arts and sciences. Students flock to downtown New York to enjoy the metropolis’s intellectual treasures.
If you’ve been charged with academic dishonesty by any manhattan school, including those in the following list, TonaLaw wants to hear the details and help you defend yourself from unfair accusations.
Four-Year Schools
- Bernard M. Baruch College
- City College of NY
- Hunter College
- Barnard College
- Boricua College
- Columbia University
- Juilliard School
- Berkeley College
- King’s College
- Manhattan School of Music
- Mercy College
- NY Institute of Technology
- St. John’s University
- New York Law School
- Rockefeller University
Two-Year Schools
- Borough of Manhattan Community College
- Guttman Community College
- American Academy McAllister Institute
- Phillips School of Nursing
Graduate and Professional Schools
- NYU
- Fordham University
- Manhattan College
- Pratt Institute
- CUNY schools
- Bankstreet College of Education
- Mt. Sinai School of Medicine
- New York Academy of Art
Experienced Legal Defense for Accusations of Academic Dishonesty
No matter which Manhattan school you attend or how bad you believe your situation, you deserve the chance to defend yourself from accusations of academic dishonesty. Most schools have very specific language in their policies about what constitutes a case of academic dishonesty, and working with a seasoned Manhattan student lawyer can help prove that your actions don’t fit. Consulting with an experienced attorney can help prepare you to make a well-practiced defense during your upcoming hearing.
Give TonaLaw a call at 1-833-TONALAW or contact us online to schedule a free, no-risk consultation to discuss the details of your academic dishonesty case. Manhattan schools look impressive on a resume, so make sure you’re able to graduate without the unpleasant mark of an academic integrity violation on your record