sleeplessindc wrote: ↑Sat Jun 27, 2020 10:13 am
Oy.
I think you should listen to your C&F attorney.
For the record, I do think a professor giving you a zero on an assignment for plagiarism is a clear instance of formal disciplinary action. You did it twice. I'm not a C&F lawyer or expert, but based on all my studying of this issue, my hunch is that a state bar might approve an applicant in your situation if a lot of time has passed since the incidents and the applicant has not just led an exemplary life since then but has also shown a lot of redeeming effort. But if the bar counts your 2016 law school application as another instance of deceit, well, 4 years ago isn't that long ago.
Yeah, OP, you need an attorney.
In our state, honest mistakes are okay. So if the question on you LS application wasn't clearly worded and you really didn't think that a zero constituted formal discipline, I think that would be okay.
I think you need to disclose on the C&F out of an abundance of caution.
But then there is the second layer of concern, which will be that you plagiarised twice, with the second instance being a year removed from the first. I'm not sure if the timing makes it better or worse, but its not a one time error in judgment.
You're doing the right thing by getting an attorney. Maybe the fact that it was a long time ago and you haven't been caught cheating through law school will weigh in your favor, but I think an attorney will best know how to represent your case.
When I had a C&F issue, I think I got a letter from my law school saying, essentially, that they would have admitted me even if I had told them about the issue. It was a long time ago, so it's hard to remember, but I think that conversation and letter happened.
But get an attorney OP!
ETA - oh wow, was re-reading and the application specifically asked about instances of plagiarism and you said no.
I'm sorry OP, I know I always say the sky is falling with c&f issues, but this time....it might be.
I think the bar would accept a different and acceptable interpretation of "formal discipline"
But "forgetting" two instances of plagiarism less than five years before filling out the application? I don't see that being okay.
And if your LS directly asked about plagiarism and you lied about two instances of it (maybe you didn't mean to lie, but that's what it amounts to) it's unlikely you'll get a letter saying they would have accepted you regardless.
Please go see and C&F attorney. Hopefully you can get ahead of this issue.