NYC College Plagiarism Lawyer

Facing plagiarism or academic dishonesty allegations in college can be an emotionally draining experience. The strain of dealing with academic authorities, complex disciplinary procedures, and worrying about the future can take a significant toll on students. Without proper legal guidance, students can face serious repercussions.

As a former New York City Prosecutor, attorney Mehdi Essmidi has experience with academic disciplinary proceedings and the burden they place on students. Our law firm is committed to providing students with support and representation in student conduct disciplinary hearings.  Contact us today for a free consultation.

Plagiarism Allegations

Plagiarism is a type of academic dishonesty that involves using someone else’s work, ideas, or words without proper attribution.

It can happen as students copy text directly from a source without citation, paraphrase without acknowledging the original author, submit another student’s work as their own, or purchase papers from online sources.

Intentional Vs. Unintentional Plagiarism

Plagiarism can be intentional or unintentional.

• Intentional plagiarism consists of purposely using someone else’s work without attribution.
• Unintentional plagiarism results from poor citations or disregard of academic policies.

Both types can result in disciplinary action, but the intent may influence the consequences.

Common Situations Leading to Plagiarism Accusations

Plagiarism accusations can happen in many ways:

Group work where individual contributions are unclear: In group assignments, students work together to create a final version. This structure can be confusing about who worked on which section. A student may use their classmates’ ideas without giving credit when there is no clarification on each contributor’s responsibility. 

Misunderstanding citation rules for different sources: Citation rules change depending on the source and citation style (MLA, APA, Chicago). A student may be accused of plagiarism if they cite sources incorrectly or fail to cite because they don’t understand these rules. For instance, they may not realize that social media posts or personal interviews need citations. 

Deadlines and stress: Students face immense pressure to meet deadlines. This pressure can lead to mistakes and unintentional plagiarism. A student may forget to add citations, not paraphrase properly, or include verbatim text from their research materials without quotation marks.

Overuse of paraphrasing tools: Paraphrasing tools are often a cause of plagiarism because the text is too similar to the source and doesn’t capture the ideas in the student’s own words. A student may think using these tools means they don’t need to cite.

AI-assisted writing: AI writing software can copy from existing sources. In other cases, a student might claim AI work as their own.

Consequences of Plagiarism

Immediate Academic Penalties

Students could get a failing grade on the plagiarized assignment or even fail the whole course. Some universities ask students to complete extra classes on academic honesty. In some cases, students may be asked to drop from a course, setting them back on their academic track.

Disciplinary Actions

Disciplinary actions may include a formal reprimand placed on the student’s academic record, academic probation limiting their participation in certain activities, suspension (temporary removal from the institution, ranging from a semester to a full academic year), or, in severe cases, expulsion (permanent removal from the institution).

Long-term Consequences on Academic and Professional Careers

Many higher-education institutions keep a record of academic misconduct, which can affect graduate school applications, transfer applications to other colleges or universities, and scholarship opportunities. Employers may view academic dishonesty unfavorably, potentially limiting job prospects. Some professions require disclosure of academic misconduct, which could affect licensing.

How a Lawyer Can Assist Throughout the Process

When a student faces plagiarism accusations, having a qualified education lawyer can be invaluable. Here’s how legal counsel can be helpful at each stage of the process:

Initial Case Evaluation: We review evidence and documentation related to the accusation and assess the credibility of the school’s case. We discuss possible strategies and advise students on immediate steps to protect their rights.

Pre-Hearing Preparation: We use all the evidence we can in a student’s favor, preparing statements and potential witnesses. We review the institution’s policies and procedures to work on a defense strategy tailored to your specific situation.

Negotiation with School Administrators: We also negotiate with the school for alternatives or lower penalties when possible.

Representation During Disciplinary Proceedings: When schools allow, we attend meetings and hearings with students, present arguments and evidence to the disciplinary committee, and, if allowed by the institution’s policies, cross-examine witnesses.

Post-Hearing Actions and Appeals: If the result is negative, we may work on appeals, prepare documentation, and represent students in appeal hearings.

Contact Our Law Firm for a Free Consultation

An accusation of plagiarism can be stressful for students and parents. At the Law Offices of Mehdi Essmidi, we know the stress you’re dealing with. We offer a free consultation to discuss the details of your case and your options for resolution. 

Our student defense team is 100% committed to protecting students’ rights and futures. We’ve represented many college students in New York City, from private colleges to state universities. Don’t let a plagiarism case jeopardize your college education. Contact us for a free consultation. 

FAQ: NYC College Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty

What are the consequences of plagiarism allegations?

Consequences change depending on the offense and college policies. The penalties can include receiving a bad grade, being placed on disciplinary probation, suspension, or worse, expulsion, affecting a student’s ability to apply for graduate programs and certain licenses.

What should I advise my child to do if they’re falsely accused of plagiarism?

If your child is facing academic dishonesty, consult a professional who has experience in education law. Remind your child not to discuss the case with others apart from legal representatives or designated school officials.

Can a lawyer represent my child in an academic hearing?

While many colleges don’t allow lawyers to participate in academic hearings, a qualified student defense lawyer can instruct your child, help prepare a defense, and ensure the college follows proper procedures. In some cases, the lawyer may also be able to communicate directly with the school outside of formal hearings.

How can a college defense lawyer assist in an academic dishonesty accusation?

A lawyer can help you understand the allegations and possible outcomes, ensure your due process rights are upheld, support them in gathering and presenting evidence, guide you through the school’s disciplinary process, and advocate with school officials if needed. This assistance can be critical in mitigating any long-term consequences.

What if a student accidentally plagiarizes?

Accidental plagiarism can still lead to disciplinary action, though demonstrating that it was unintentional (e.g., a citation error) may work in your favor. Be honest about what happened and show a willingness to learn proper citation practices, as this may influence how the college views the incident.

How can a student protect their rights during the disciplinary process?

We can help students familiarize themselves with their school’s policies, document all case-related communications, and gather any evidence supporting their position.