A while back ago me and two of my friends found a site that had all the answer keys to everything in our class. Our teacher found out, but only after the site was taken down, which was only up for a couple weeks (last semester). I have been called in this last week because now there is a answer key book missing, and everyone thinks it is me. The lady said that I "could give it back now for no punishment," but I don't have any idea who has it. They said if they don't get it back by the end of the year, they will investigate and the suspect will drop/fail the class. How should I deal with this? Do they have to have physical evidence or can they get me on word of mouth?
Accused of Cheating.. Need a Way Out
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They have to be pretty damned sure you did it, because failing you on false allegations would mean a world of hurt for them. So, maintain your innocence. If you don't have the book, you don't have it. And they can't fail you because they kind of sort of suspect you might have it.
Agreed with Vegosiux- They can't fail you if they can't prove you have the book so i'd maintain your innocence. If you don't have it you don't have it and that should be the end of the matter.
It may be worth confessing to the teacher about finding the cheat site if it isn't known already- People will more likely to view you as honest by making this confession and so you get some of the heat taken off your back.
It may be worth confessing to the teacher about finding the cheat site if it isn't known already- People will more likely to view you as honest by making this confession and so you get some of the heat taken off your back.
It's hard to say what, in the end, they'll be able to do if they got nothing on you but want to punish you anyway. But you don't really have any other option but to maintain your innocence.
It's entirely possible they're just grabbing anyone that they think might be guilty and threatening them the same way. Cops operate that way a lot, telling every potential suspect they have indisputable proof when in fact they got nothing on no one, and seeing if anyone cops to it (even 100% innocent people will confess sometimes.)
It's entirely possible they're just grabbing anyone that they think might be guilty and threatening them the same way. Cops operate that way a lot, telling every potential suspect they have indisputable proof when in fact they got nothing on no one, and seeing if anyone cops to it (even 100% innocent people will confess sometimes.)
Hmmm...looks like you are in strife there. Sure they "can't" fail you unless they know you did it, but they can make sure you don't not fail, can't they?
What is this answer key book nonsense? I remember the good old days when teachers would actually be creative and make up their own tests... Not being a lazy teacher would avoid these kind of predicaments.
More on topic, what can you do? If you don't have the book you can't really give it back now can you? And if you don't even know who has you can't point towards a culprit. Just tell them the truth and stick to it.
More on topic, what can you do? If you don't have the book you can't really give it back now can you? And if you don't even know who has you can't point towards a culprit. Just tell them the truth and stick to it.
It does, however, ensure standardised testing between different schools. At least I think that's the theory behind it.generals3 said:
OT: Do you mind me asking why everyone thinks it was you? I know you have this website thing counting against you, but why aren't the two friends who found the site with you suspects?
I wouldn't change your story, especially as you're telling the truth. I don't know the actual power they have because I'm pretty sure school works very differently in the US (where I'm assuming you're from), but I feel they can't just fail you for no good reason. Get your parents involved if it gets really serious.
I came into this thread thinking you meant you had been caught cheating on your spouse and had prepared an arsenal of things you could do to get out of such an interesting predicament....
*cough*
<..>
But, umm, yes, cheating on a test... as the others have said, they need hard proof to do anything. If you're innocent, you have nothing to fear, as they can't do anything unless your either guilty or they're corrupt and pure evil *shutters at the thought*.
And if it's the latter... well, they'll eventually find a way to fuck you over anyway.
*cough*
<..>
But, umm, yes, cheating on a test... as the others have said, they need hard proof to do anything. If you're innocent, you have nothing to fear, as they can't do anything unless your either guilty or they're corrupt and pure evil *shutters at the thought*.
And if it's the latter... well, they'll eventually find a way to fuck you over anyway.
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I remember seeing the craziest thing on my college campus one year. There was a huge group of students sitting on a lawn, probably close to 100 people. One guy had a print out of a page, and was reading numbers off it, and each time he read a number everyone else would yell out a letter:generals3 said:
14 - C
38 - A
3 - A
22 - D
I asked a guy what was going on, and the guy told me that the professor for this class had been using the same multiple choice test for the past 15 years, so instead of studying the material for the test people in his class would get the test from someone in the previous semester, and memorize the answers instead. This had been going on for the past 12 years, and everyone knew about it, but no one cared.
capper42 I really think they think it's me because I've always done very well in that class. I'm currently getting a 101 in the class, and my other friends are getting a 93 and a 99. The only reason I think she waited this long was because she saw how well I was doing and she thinks we are cheating. I feel that there isn't a stolen book, but she is using it as a ploy to try and get me to "confess" to my cheating (even though I didn't). And as long as I don't return it, which is obviously impossible, I will somehow get into trouble. This is a German 2 class by the way.
Just a note, in future if replying to someone specifically, always make sure to quote them, that way they get alerted to your reply.volmsy25 said:
Now that's out of the way, I think it's ridiculous that you can be penalised for success. Is there a higher authority in the school you can discuss this with, because at the moment it seems like you're in a lose lose situation.
I'm currently dealing with the dean's office, which is our disciplinary distributors. I guess I could talk with the principle or superintendent, but I don't know what to say. I know I'm innocent, but I've never been accused of anything like this in my life so I have that guilt like I did something wrong..if that makes sense. I'm always nervous when I talk in person because I usually stutter and slur words even when talking normally.capper42 said:
I'm currently dealing with the dean's office, which is our disciplinary distributors. I guess I could talk with the principle or superintendent, but I don't know what to say. I know I'm innocent, but I've never been accused of anything like this in my life so I have that guilt like I did something wrong..if that makes sense. I'm always nervous when I talk in person because I usually stutter and slur words even when talking normally.[/quote]volmsy25 said:
It really does sound like a nasty situation. Just stand your ground, I'm sure it will sort itself out if you just carry on telling them you're innocent. If it does get to the point where it looks like they're seriously going to fail you, then you can take it higher, I'm positive it will all work out in the end. I know it's much easier to say than to do, but try not to let it stress you out, there is absolutely no reason to feel guilty about something you haven't done, no matter how much they bully you about it.
You don't say how old you are, but assuming you are still at home, talk to your parents. Explain everything truthfully, and see what they say.volmsy25 said:
The way the school seems to be going about it is not that far from bullying. If they have no evidence that you did anything wrong, and you have not done anything that should make them suspicious of you, then they have no right to treat you like this.
Personally, I'd suggest telling your parents and arranging a meeting with the principle. School is meant for learning, and dealing with unnecessary crap like this, the way they are going about it is only going to potentially damage your education.
Knowing that your parents are involved will almost certainly get them to back off if they have nothing to go on.
I have no memory of schools actually bothering with evidence or reasons for punishment. I was once 20 feet from the door of my classroom when the first bell of the day rang, and one of the campus supervisors stopped me before I could get to it. Instead of letting me get to my class, he had me wait while he filled out a detention slip. After he left, I looked at it and it said the reasons for my punishment were "skipping class" and "cutting in the lunch line".
Sometimes schools are just places where assholes go to get jobs, because they know that's the only way they'll ever have power over anyone.
Maintain your innocence and if they continue harassing you, make as much noise about it as you can. Remember, these people may act tough towards kids, but only because they have no spine around anyone else. I brought my case up with the supervisor while he was chatting with his boss, and he tore up the detention form and told me to try to be on time.
Sometimes schools are just places where assholes go to get jobs, because they know that's the only way they'll ever have power over anyone.
Maintain your innocence and if they continue harassing you, make as much noise about it as you can. Remember, these people may act tough towards kids, but only because they have no spine around anyone else. I brought my case up with the supervisor while he was chatting with his boss, and he tore up the detention form and told me to try to be on time.
Well if it is a private school or private university they most certainly can punish you without due evidence (though if it is a college, you will have a tribunal to go through to determine innocence in most cases). If you didn't do it though, they only thing you can do is maintain innocence and make sure they know that you are innocent. One thing you might try is going to that teacher and telling him/her "I didn't cheat, I just understand the material. If you like you can have me do an alternate test on the same material and I will pass that as well.". I wouldn't rely on that second part though unless you really do understand the material, otherwise it might backfire on you.volmsy25 said: