Hello Everyone,
I need help with a pretty serious c&f issue. I posted on this board last year as well. In the spring semester of my 2L year I plagiarized several paragraphs on my seminar paper. I know what I did was terrible and I think about it all the time. I have not regretted anything more. After a disciplinary hearing, I was given an F in the course with a note in my transcript. I was not suspended due to certain mitigating circumstances. First, 7 days before the semester started I ended up in the ER thinking I was having a heart attack ( I was only 23 at that time). It turned out to be a cyst and I had emergency surgery. I was told by my doctor to stay home for at least 6 weeks because the after-effects of the surgery were pretty bad involving chronic pain. Despite his advice, I chose to continue to attend law school. I also made a mistake of taking an extra heavy course load ( 4 exams and 2 papers). Instead of trying to get an extension, something certainly possible in light of my medical history, I chose to plagiarize on one of the papers. The second mitigating factor was that I am an international student and suspension would have caused serious visa issues and most likely prevented me from even completing my degree. Here are my questions:
1- How detailed should I be in disclosing the medical background on the c&f application? My doctor is wiling to write a letter describing the procedure in detail. Should I attach it? Will the committee dig into my medicl history any further?
2- One of the questions asks if " the use of drugs has been an explanation/mitigating factor in a disciplinary proceeding." I was prescribed morphine for 8 weeks and I mentioned to the committee that being on pain medication was a factor in my struggle. Should I mention it on the application as well? Will it cause more problems?
3 - Will my references be informed of my academic misconduct. 2 out of 5 know about it. But I would rather not tell everyone if possible.
4 - The state where I'm taking the bar requires a mandatory hearing in cases of honor code violations. Do I need an attorney or can I manage on my own? I understand how serious this is, but I can't afford an attorney. I will have to resort to borrowing money from my friends if I really have to.
5 - I was told by one committee member not to disclose it to my employer and by another to disclose. I ended up disclosing it to my summer employer who rescinded my offer for a ft associate offer. I was devastated and could not find anything else until recently when my former boss helped me get a legal intern position. I have not received the formal offer letter yet ( It was mailed 2 days ago), but I was asked for my transcripts or gpa when applying. Should I disclose it to my potential employer? This job pays very little in comparison with my earlier offer, but I still don't want to lose it. Am I obligated to inform c&f if I accept the offer? or wait till I actually start, which would be sometime in September?
Thank you all for your time! I addressed these concerns with the dean at my school and did not get any helpful answers. I was told to hire an attorney
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