Cases of Plagiarism and their Consequences
Yes, there are real consequences for getting caught committing plagiarism.
In extreme cases, universities have revoked degrees when significant plagiarism is later detected (e.g., in a thesis or dissertation). Really? See this U.S. News & World Report story (May 2, 2012).
Ronald B. Standler discusses plagiarism, copyright and trademark infringement laws, academic ethics, and numerous legal cases. See Plagiarism in Colleges in the USA (Standler, 2012).
For students in college, getting caught for committing plagiarism can result in a failing grade for a paper or project, or even an entire course. Commission of plagiarism can lead to an academic disciplinary hearing. See Indiana University's Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, & Conduct. See especially the section within "Uphold and maintain academic and professional honesty and integrity" (Part G:3. Plagiarism, 2019).