Of the various types of schoolwork a college student goes through, their term papers and thesis are the most critical. Term papers account for a large part of a student’s grade for an academic term, while a thesis is vital for students looking to attain an academic degree.
It’s not unusual for students to request for help when preparing these papers; they’re some of the toughest papers to write, and failure could set back a student’s academic progress. However, writing another student’s term paper or thesis isn’t just illegal; it’s also a criminal offense in Connecticut.
Preparing assignments for others is illegal
According to state law, it’s against the law for a person to prepare, offer to prepare or sell any term paper, thesis, dissertation, essay, report or any other written, pictorial or artistic assignment – especially if the person is fully aware that their report will be submitted under another student’s name to fulfill academic requirements.
A violation of this rule is a Class B misdemeanor.
Penalties for preparing another student’s assignment
If a person is convicted of preparing assignments for another student, they face up to six months of imprisonment and $1,000 in fines. This is the same penalty issued to those convicted of public indecency, reckless endangerment and third-degree stalking.
While it’s a crime to write another student’s paper, Connecticut’s laws don’t prevent any person from providing tutoring assistance, research material, and other resources, for as long as the materials aren’t intended for direct submission. However, those who already face charges should keep in mind that a conviction would lead to up to half a year in jail.
