<p>Go to the hearing and make your case. It’s always worth making the argument, and then the school has the option to accept it or not. Your child did break the rules, whether knowingly or not, and there should be some consequence, but suspension seems a bit harsh. He should know by now how to cite, and he should be very careful becuase in college they will definitely be harsh about this. Some teachers may be more strict about enforcing the rules than others, but the rules exist for everyone. Just because other students have broken them without being punished does not mean that your son’s offense is any less worthy of punishment.</p>