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Online Misconduct

5 Tips for Students Accused of Online Academic Misconduct

By November 21, 2022September 17th, 2024No Comments

In the current era, as students of all ages are forced to take their classes online, new issues of academic misconduct have been surfacing across the country.

But oftentimes students accused of these new types of online misconduct are innocent, and sometimes they don’t even know how their actions could be interpreted as wrongdoing.

That’s why we’re providing these 5 basic tips for students accused of online academic misconduct.

1. Do not respond to the charges without consulting a lawyer

The first and most important tip to keep in mind if you’ve been accused of cheating or any other type of online misconduct is to not respond to the claims immediately. 

Many people are tempted to attest to their innocence, but doing so without consulting an attorney can just lead to more complications down the road. 

Wait to respond to the accusations until you have spoken with someone with experience with these types of cases.

2. Hire a student defense lawyer

Contact a student defense lawyer as soon as you hear about your accusations. 

If you and your family wait too long to contact an attorney, or even try to take care of the accusation yourselves, it may hurt your case. 

Be sure to choose an attorney with experience defending college students who have been accused of misconduct and crimes and knows how to handle these types of cases.

3. Take a look at your school’s Code of Conduct

You should already be familiar with your school’s Code of Conduct, but once you receive an accusation, it’s important to review it.

Take a look at what your school considers academic misconduct, as well as the consequences you may be facing. Chances are, the Code of Conduct will spend a great deal of time talking about cheating and plagiarism, which is what students are most commonly accused of.

Note: Specifications regarding online misconduct may or may not be included in your student handbook, as many rules regarding online and other technology-heavy coursework are only just being developed currently.

This is important to keep in mind for your case, as well as any information or guidelines your professor sent out at the beginning of your online course.

4. Document the alleged incident of academic dishonesty

Keep track of all important evidence regarding the accusations against you.

This type of information should include:

    1. Evidence regarding the alleged incident: The paper where you were accused of plagiarism, email exchanges with fellow students or professors, or anything else you believe is relevant to your case.
    2. The accusation itself: How were you accused? In an email from your professor? Officially by the school? Make sure you have this accusation on hand.
    3. Syllabus and professor’s guidelines: Keep all cheating and misconduct guidelines from your professor handy.
    4. School’s Code of Conduct: Now that you’ve reviewed the Code of Conduct, mark any places where it may be helpful or important for your case.

5. Keep your case to yourself

Do not make the mistake of discussing your case with your professors, classmates, or even close friends. The fewer people you discuss your case with, the better.

And certainly don’t discuss your case on social media.

DC Student Defense is here for you

If you are accused of any type of academic misconduct, our student defense legal team is here for you. We will do our best to work to clear your name and ensure your education suffers as little as possible. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our student defense lawyers.

Shan Wu

Author Shan Wu

Shan’s professional and personal background gives him a unique understanding of academic institutions and the criminal justice system. A former federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C., he is at home in D.C. Courts and very familiar with all of the Washington, D.C. law enforcement agencies, especially the Metropolitan Police Department. His parents were university professors so he grew up in a university environment. He understands the mindset of academic institutions. As a prosecutor, he supervised in the misdemeanor crime section. This is the section of the Washington, D.C. prosecutor’s office that handles most college student cases. His understanding of charging decisions and how judges view these cases is invaluable to his student clients and their families. Shan served as a federal prosecutor in the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia for over ten years. During his tenure there, now Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. appointed him to supervisory positions in the Misdemeanor Trial Section and also in a police corruption task force. His outstanding legal work in the government was recognized through numerous Special Achievement Awards from the Justice Department as well as awards conveyed by law enforcement agencies and community groups. From 1999-2000, Shan served as Counsel to Attorney General Janet Reno, advising her on criminal and civil investigations, E-Gov, E-Commerce (electronic signatures, internet gambling, internet telephony, privacy & public access issues in electronic court filings), congressional oversight, and legislative review. His responsibilities included serving as liaison to the FBI, DEA, Criminal Division, Executive Office of United States Attorneys, National Institute of Justice, and White House Counsel’s Office. Shan serves on the D.C. Bar Association’s Hearing Committee of the Board on Professional Responsibility and is a past president of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association for the Greater Washington, D.C. area. He is a 1988 graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, where he graduated Order of the Barristers, edited two law reviews, and was Co-Director of the Moot Court Program. He holds a B.A. in English Literature from Vassar College as well as a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College. Following law school, he clerked for the late Hon. Jerry Buchmeyer, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, and the late Eugene Wright, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He is admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia and Connecticut.

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