Academic misconduct, including--but not limited to--cheating, plagiarism, and falsifying information, may be grounds for discipline during law school. In addition to the Law School Rules, students are subject to the Student Conduct and Disciplinary Rules of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and specifically, as it relates to academic misconduct, UWS Chapter 14. An explanation of the UW campus rules is available at Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards: Academic Misconduct. Penalties for academic misconduct range from oral reprimands or lowered or failing grades to university disciplinary probation, suspension or expulsion from the University. View more information about the academic misconduct investigation process.

Academic misconduct is a very serious issue for prospective attorneys, which is one of the reasons you are required to disclose instances of academic misconduct on your law school application. You will also need to answer questions about academic misconduct when you apply for admission to practice law. The Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners (BBE) (or any other jurisdiction to which you apply) will review your files if you seek admission to the bar: the BBE will expect to see complete disclosure of pre-law school academic misconduct in the Law School's files (by disclosure through your law school application). The BBE will also receive information about academic misconduct during law school from the Law School.

Academic misconduct is possible grounds for denial of admission to the bar due to the questionable moral character reflected by the conduct. See Law School Rules: Appendix A, Law School Rules: Appendix B and Law School Rule 6.11: No Collaboration Policy.

For questions about or to report academic misconduct, contact the Law School's Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.