You turned in an assignment and received an email from your professor. You open it. You are being accused of plagiarism. What should you do? Read on for advice from a defense lawyer for students.
How could I be accused of plagiarism?
There are several reasons your professor may believe that you plagiarized.
- Poor paraphrasing
- Missing citations
- Similarity report – Turnitin
- Using the same assignment in two classes
What should I do if my professor accuses me of plagiarism?
I recommend asking the professor for more information. You should request the similarity report or any other documents the professor is relying upon.
Should I accept the punishment for plagiarizing?
I wish there was a straight answer for this question – it depends.The professor could work it out between the two of you. You fix the assignment or accept a zero and that’s the end of it. However, if the professor refers it to the academic integrity office, things could get serious. As serious as suspension or expulsion from school.If you are facing a suspension or expulsion from school, fighting to lessen the sanction may be best.
What happens if I decide to fight the sanction?
You will have to go through the student disciplinary process. The process is outlined in your student handbook.
Can you help me defend against the accusation of plagiarism?
Yes. I help students all over the country defend against accusations of honor code violations. Using nearly two decades of legal experience combined with a specialized knowledge of the student disciplinary process, I help students gain successful outcomes.
I must go in front of an academic integrity committee. Can you go with me?
Yes. I also attend hearings as an adviser to support students during the committee hearing process. The presence of an adviserwith my background supports the students to make the best possible presentation and keeps the academic panel hearing fair.
Call today for help defending your plagiarism accusation. (855-338-5299
Richard Asselta is an award-winning student defense lawyer who offers college student defense advising services throughout the United States. He is experienced in defending all types of college disciplinary issues, including plagiarism. Click here to read what clients are saying about Richard Asselta on AVVO, a lawyer review website.