Seton Hall University was founded on September 1, 1856, by Newark Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley. Its main campus in South Orange, New Jersey consists of 11 schools and colleges and hosts an average enrollment of around 5,800 undergraduate students and a graduate enrollment of around 4,400. The student disciplinary program on campus is designed to protect students from harm as well as uphold the standards set forth by the university.
If you are a student at Seton Hall University facing either criminal charges or school disciplinary action experienced attorney Joseph D. Lento is here to fight for your rights. You are not alone.
How Legal Representation Can Protect Student Rights
If you are arrested and charged with a crime, either on-campus or off-campus, you are likely to not only face criminal charges but also disciplinary action through the school as well. After spending this amount of time and money on your education, you need to protect your rights during any disciplinary process. There are potential long-term consequences that can result from disciplinary violations.
It is crucial that you retain an attorney that is familiar with the practice of protecting student rights quickly after you become aware of the allegations against you. The sooner you contact your attorney, the better prepared you can be. Most educational institutions permit an advisor to accompany a student accused of a disciplinary violation, and having an attorney in the room with you will better ensure that your rights are protected.
Without an attorney, you are left at the mercy of bureaucrats who may move the process hastily with little consideration for the rules or your rights. In some instances, your attorney can negotiate a favorable resolution to the issue, all while protecting your reputation and the hard work you have put in as a student.
Seton Hall University Student Rights Attorney
Seton Hall University requires students to follow the Code of Conduct, and violations of that code can result in disciplinary action within the school setting itself. Not every violation has to be a separate crime, or result in a criminal charge.
Title IX Violations
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that is designed to protect individuals from discrimination based on gender in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial aid. It prohibits sex-based discrimination as well as sexual harassment and sexual violence. It also protects those who do not conform to historical notions of of gender or masculinity or femininity.
Other types of Title IX violations include, but are not limited to:
- sexual violence (rape, sexual battery)
- verbal harassment
- nonverbal harassment
- victims of slurs or stereotypes
- persons held to different standards due to differentiating characteristics
- requests for sexual favors
When a student is considered to have violated Title IX by engaging in conduct that is discriminatory based on gender, Seton Hall University's Title IX office will be involved. The Title IX coordinators in the University will ensure compliance with the law and will help to resolve conflicts based on any violations. As a result of a Title IX violation, a student can find him or herself in front of the disciplinary board due to the misconduct.
If you have been accused of a Title IX violation, you need an experienced lawyer to help defend your case. Many violations also involve criminal charges, but in either case, both can lead to very severe consequences, including your expulsion from school. With the right legal help, you can seek to protect your continued enrollment and defend yourself against any connected criminal charges.
General Disciplinary Matters
Sometimes, the violation is simply a violation of the school policy, but this makes it no less serious when you face the possibility of suspension or expulsion from college.
Common violations of the code that may result in disciplinary action include:
- violations of school alcohol policy
- academic responsibility violations
- hazing violations
- discrimination issues
- criminal or other misconduct
- improper use of social media
- possession of fake ID
- theft
- cheating
Academic Misconduct
Seton Hall University takes allegations of academic misconduct very seriously, and this includes violations such as:
- Plagiarism: Claiming another's work as your own without proper citation
- Cheating: Engaging in behavior that permits the student to gain answers to tests through ulterior sources
- Duplicate Submissions: Submitting for credit the same work more than once (without prior approval)
- Interference: Hindering the academic performance of another student
Standard of Evidence
During a hearing concerning the alleged academic misconduct, or other misconduct, the evidentiary standards is by a preponderance of the evidence. You have the right to be heard, and be represented at your hearing. You do not have to face this process alone.
Sanctions and Penalties
Depending on the nature of the offense, and any prior history of misconduct on campus, the penalties and sanctions may vary. They can start as a simple warning, or lead all the way up to suspension or expulsion from school. With so much at stake, it is crucial that you be represented by a competent student rights attorney.
Appeals Process
As with most institutions, Seton Hall University does allow for parties to appeal unfavorable rulings. The Department of Student Life will hear appeals following the results of a hearing. Those seeking an appeal have only 5 business days to file a written appeal to the Dean of Students There are three potential grounds for an appeal:
- The severity of the sanction is disproportionate to the violation committed.
- There was a significant procedural error before the Community Standards Review Board or applicable Student Conduct Administrator, citing specific examples.
- To consider new information sufficient to alter a decision not brought out in the original hearing because such information and/or facts were not reasonably available at the time of the hearing.
Potential Criminal Charges
Are the allegations of student misconduct associated with criminal charges? Often the campus or local agencies of law enforcement may have involvement. Joseph D. Lento has many years of experience defending clients in criminal matters in courts across New Jersey.
Seton Hall University Lawyer in New Jersey
Are you a student at Seton Hall University who is facing disciplinary action by your school or are facing a criminal charge? You will want to immediately seek the advice of a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney.
Joseph Lento of Lento Law Firm helps students defend their case, their constitutional rights, and their right to stay in school. Call (888) 535-5336 right now to take advantage of a consultation that will let our firm review your case and discuss your legal options.
