What can happen if a paralegal does not cooperate with an investigator?

If a paralegal does not cooperate with an investigator, it can indeed lead to a disciplinary proceeding. This is because professional conduct regulations dictate that all licensed paralegals must fully comply with investigations conducted by regulatory bodies. Non-compliance is seen as a serious breach of professional responsibility and ethics.

The regulatory framework is designed to ensure that paralegals uphold the integrity of their profession. When an investigator is conducting an inquiry, cooperation is essential for the investigation to proceed effectively. A lack of cooperation can be perceived as an attempt to obstruct the investigation, which can further exacerbate the situation and lead to more severe repercussions, including disciplinary action.

Other options do not accurately reflect the serious implications of failing to cooperate. For example, suggesting that nothing will happen undermines the importance of compliance and accountability in the profession. Similarly, the idea that a paralegal may receive a warning doesn’t fully capture the potential consequences, as more serious actions are often warranted by non-compliance. The notion that the case would be dismissed is incorrect because the issue of non-cooperation could actually result in greater scrutiny and potential penalties instead of dismissal.