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Beardguy57 said:
I wonder what would have happened to Lacarno had he told the truth right from the start after his fellow cadet had died during the failed colvert starburst maneuver?


the episode wouldn't have been nearly as interesting.

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Attempting the fobidden maneuver itself at all was bad enough; could he have salvaged his startfleet career by telling the truth right from the start? What do you think, r3x? Captain Sweden? Anybody?


I actually think it was like Watergate where the coverup was what killed him. Picard's whole speech to Wesley wasn't about never making mistakes, it was about honesty. And the fact that he lied was the real disgrace to Starfleet that they wouldn't stand.
From what I've seen in that episode plus others I imagine he (like Wesley) would have had his credits for the year voided and would need to repeat his year as a shamed student. There would also have been a major blackmark on his record that would have his assignments be rather shitty and minor (patrol on science vessels) for years until he could work his way to re-earning Starfleet's full trust and respect.
I think the sad thing is he probably would've been given a chance at a second start if he had just shown the honor that Wesley did. Remember, Sito Jaxa (the Bajoran cadet) was posted to the Enterprise specifically because Picard believed in second chances.
That's just my theory on it anyway.

Bow ties are coool.