Legal Question in Education Law in California

What should I do if a teacher accused me in plagiarism (I'm a junior in High School)? It was not on purpose. I accidentally copied some information from the website and forgot to change it in my own words, I also forgot to site the sources while doing my English essay. It was my human mistake. It was not finished yet but I did not double check it because of my health condition that weekend, (I had food poisoning). She also accused me in staying home that day, faking my sickness, and lying to the school that I was sick because I had to do my essay. Isn't this slander? I gor a referral for plagiarism, even though I didn't mean to do it. It will ruin my reputation. I am an international student in this school. What should I do?


Asked on 5/22/11, 1:16 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
George Shers Law Offices of Georges H. Shers

Did you honestly explain the circumstances to the teacher and suggest that you get a failing grade on the essay or so type of punishment or did you just deny responsibility? Your problem is that you are guilty of plagiarism and if you tried to defend yourself as being innocent you just convinced her to punish you more. Apologize to her and to the person the offense was reported to and try to get a lesser sanction. As to her comments about your faking your illness, if she said that it was her opinion you did X as opposed to saying it is a fact that you did X, it is not actionable slander. In any case, it is not worth while to sue or demand a retraction.

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Answered on 5/22/11, 6:22 am


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