College Sexual Misconduct Attorney in New York

Have You Been Accused of College Sexual Misconduct in New York?

If you're reading this page, you may be currently facing college sexual misconduct allegations at your school in New York. There are many types of college sexual misconduct, and while not all may warrant a suspension or expulsion, it will depend on your school's specific code of conduct, as outlined in the Student Handbook.

There can be severe consequences associated with college sexual misconduct allegations, and you must consider finding an attorney who can fight for your rights to due process and innocence until proven otherwise.

What Do the New Title IX Guidelines Mean for College Sexual Misconduct Allegations?

In May 2020, the Department of Education, under Betsy DeVos, issued new regulations that narrow the scope of Title IX investigations. Many organizations, such as FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education), praised the new rules and the rebalancing of rights so that those who are accused of sexual misconduct are better protected.

As an example, under old Title IX guidelines, a “preponderance of evidence” standard is required (which is higher than many other types of cases), however with the new guidelines, colleges may raise the burden of proof to the “clear and convincing” standard for hearings. In announcing the new guidelines, Betsy DeVos tweeted: “Our new #TitleIX rule provides new and meaningful protections for survivors of sexual harassment/assault & balances the scales of justice on campuses across America.”

Although DeVos claims that the scales of justice have been tipped, many schools throughout New York will still be handling the same types of college sexual misconduct cases as in the past. In fact, the new regulations have, in many instances, led colleges and universities to explicitly state that they will continue to investigate college sexual misconduct, among them: Columbia University, https://rpi.app.box.com/s/8e3etv274qn2sc9lx9npiho8jxj3nzc9Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Cornell University, and Fordham University. Rather than address these allegations under the Title IX umbrella, they will address them via their own Code of Conduct. It's critical then, to understand how to best protect yourself if you've been accused of college sexual misconduct.

Actions to Keep in Mind if You've Been Accused of College Sexual Misconduct

If you've been accused of college sexual misconduct, there are several steps that you can take to protect yourself as the school conducts its investigation. Although this list is not comprehensive, it's a great place to start, especially if you have not yet spoken with a college sexual misconduct attorney. 

Don't answer questions about the situation or discuss it with anyone at your school

Campus police or public safety may attempt to ask you questions about the allegations. You have the right to decline to answer any questions that you are asked. While this silence might seem obvious, a less obvious component is that you shouldn't discuss your case with anyone at the school. Keep it out of the conversation or change the subject if friends or faculty bring it up. If you need to discuss it with someone, do so outside of the school. 

Don't reach out to your accuser

You may want to reach out to your accuser and ask them questions or have a conversation. It's best, though, not to do so. Please don't reach out to them on social media, via DM, or over text message. Don't call or Snapchat. Any communication that you have with them might be considered evidence for the college sexual misconduct investigation. If your accuser reaches out to you, do not answer them, even to say, “I'm not going to respond.” In this instance, no communication is the best option.

Find and consult with a college sexual misconduct attorney as soon as possible

If you are facing a college sexual misconduct hearing and investigation at a New York college or university, you don't want to wait for the outcome to face the charges. You want an attorney with extensive experience protecting the rights of students in these types of situations, someone who can advise you on what the best course of action is. 

Become familiar with your school's Code of Conduct or Student Handbook

Many colleges and universities throughout New York have updated their individual Code of Conduct in response to the new Title IX guidelines. Each school will be different, and that will affect the process of the investigation. Explore the disciplinary procedures and policies to ensure that you understand the process and your rights and obligations as a respondent.

Document, document, document

Keep track of everything! Write down timelines and share facts with your attorney. There may be helpful information that you don't recognize as such. An attorney can guide you in better understanding where evidence weakens or strengthens your defense.

The Long-Term Impact of College Sexual Misconduct Allegations

If you've been accused of College Sexual Misconduct and your school chooses to investigate using their Code of Conduct and Student Handbook, the impact on your academic career and your future can be significant. If the school takes disciplinary action based on their findings, you may face suspension or even expulsion. These sorts of actions are added to your permanent school record and follow you as you apply for opportunities such as internships, graduate school, or even just attending a new school. There are also potential consequences such as criminal charges beyond the school's domain or the imposed limitations during an investigation, such as specific schedule limitations or being banned from housing where the accuser lives.

An Experienced New York Attorney as Your College Sexual Misconduct Attorney

Joseph Lento has fought hundreds of Code of Conduct cases over his many years of experience. He also has unparalled experience handling sexual misconduct cases at colleges and universities across the country. If you're facing college sexual misconduct charges, you want to make sure that you address it head-on, with an experienced college sexual misconduct attorney. Protect your future. Call the Lento Law firm today at 888-535-3686, or contact us online.

New York colleges and universities where Joseph D. Lento can help as your or your student's college sexual misconduct advisor during investigations, hearings, and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following schools:

State University of New York (SUNY):

SUNY University Centers

• State University of New York at Buffalo
• Binghamton University
• Stony Brook University
• University at Albany, State University of New York

SUNY Technology College

• Alfred State College
• State University of New York at Canton
• State University of New York at Cobleskill
• State University of New York at Delhi
• State University of New York at Farmingdale
• State University of New York at Morrisville
• State University of New York Polytechnic Institute
• State University of New York Maritime College

SUNY Comprehensive Colleges

• Buffalo State College
• Empire State College, Saratoga Springs
• State University of New York at Brockport
• State University of New York at Cortland
• State University of New York at Fredonia
• State University of New York at Geneseo
• State University of New York at New Paltz
• State University of New York at Old Westbury
• State University of New York at Oswego
• State University of New York at Plattsburgh
• State University of New York at Potsdam
• Crane School of Music
• State University of New York at Purchase

SUNY Specialized Doctoral Granting Units

• State University of New York Downstate Medical Center
• State University of New York Upstate Medical University
• State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
• State University of New York State College of Optometry

SUNY Community Colleges

• Adirondack Community College
• Broome Community College
• Cayuga County Community College
• Clinton Community College
• Columbia-Greene Community College
• Corning Community College
• Dutchess Community College
• Erie Community College
• Fashion Institute of Technology
• Finger Lakes Community College
• Fulton-Montgomery Community College
• Genesee Community College
• Herkimer County Community College
• Hudson Valley Community College
• Jamestown Community College
• Jefferson Community College
• Mohawk Valley Community College
• Monroe Community College
• Nassau Community College
• Niagara County Community College
• North Country Community College
• Onondaga Community College
• Orange County Community College
• Rockland Community College
• Schenectady County Community College
• Suffolk County Community College
• Sullivan County Community College
• Tompkins Cortland Community College
• Ulster County Community College
• Westchester Community College

SUNY State-wide Colleges

• Empire State College
• SUNY Learning Network

CUNY Senior Colleges and Graduate Schools

• Baruch College
• Brooklyn College
• City College
• Sophie Davis - School of Biomedical Education; School of Professional Studies
• College of Staten Island
• CUNY Graduate Center
• CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
• CUNY Law School
• Hunter College
• John Jay College of Criminal Justice
• Lehman College
• Medgar Evers College
• New York City College of Technology at MetroTech
• Queens College
• Aaron Copland School of Music
• York College

CUNY Community Colleges

• Borough of Manhattan Community College
• Bronx Community College, University Heights
• Guttman Community College
• Hostos Community College
• Kingsborough Community College
• LaGuardia Community College
• Queensborough Community College

Federal-Service Academies

• United States Merchant Marine Academy (exempt from Title IX and the Clery Act)
• United States Military Academy (exempt from Title IX and the Clery Act)

Private Colleges and Universities

• Adelphi University
• Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
• Alfred University
• American Museum of Natural History; Richard Gilder Graduate School
• Bank Street College of Education
• Bard College
• Barnard College
• Brooklyn Law School
• Cazenovia College
• Clarkson University
• Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; Watson School of Biological Sciences (graduate school)
• Colgate University
• Columbia University
• College of Dental Medicine
• Columbia Business School
• Columbia College
• Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation
• Columbia Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
• Columbia Law School
• Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science
• Graduate School of Journalism
• Mailman School of Public Health
• School of the Arts
• School of General Studies
• School of International and Public Affairs
• School of Social Work
• School of Nursing
• College of Physicians and Surgeons
• School of Professional Studies
• Cooper Union
• Cornell University
• Cornell Tech
• Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences
• Weill Cornell Medicine
• Culinary Institute of America
• Daemen College
• Dowling College
• Elmira College
• Hamilton College
• Hartwick College
• Helene Fuld College of Nursing
• Hobart and William Smith Colleges
• Hofstra University
• Frank G. Zarb School of Business
• Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• Ithaca College
• Juilliard School
• Keuka College
• Long Island University
• LIU Brooklyn
• LIU Post (formerly C.W. Post)
• Manhattan School of Music
• Manhattanville College
• Marymount Manhattan College
• Medaille College
• Mercy College
• Metropolitan College of New York
• Monroe College
• Bronx campus
• New Rochelle campus
• The New School
• College of Performing Arts
• Eugene Lang College, School for Liberal Arts
• Parsons School of Design
• School for Social Research
• The Schools of Public Engagement
• New York Chiropractic College
• New York Institute of Technology
• Central Islip campus
• Columbus Circle
• Old Westbury campus
• New York University
• College of Arts & Science
• Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences
• Gallatin School of Individualized Study
• Institute of Fine Arts
• Liberal Studies
• School of Law
• School of Medicine
• Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences
• Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
• School of Professional Studies
• School of Social Work
• Stern School of Business
• Tandon School of Engineering
• Tisch School of the Arts
• Pace University
• Manhattan campus
• Pleasantville campus
• White Plains campus
• Paul Smith's College
• Pratt Institute
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Rochester Institute of Technology
• Sage Colleges
• Russell Sage College
• Sage College of Albany
• Sage Graduate Schools
• Sarah Lawrence College
• Skidmore College
• St. Lawrence University
• St. Thomas Aquinas College
• University of Rochester
• Eastman School of Music
• College of Arts Sciences and Engineering
• Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development
• Simon Business School
• Union College
• Utica College
• Vassar College
• Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
• Villa Maria College
• Webb Institute
• Wells College

Private Colleges and Academies (For Profit)

• ASA College
• Downtown Brooklyn campus
• Midtown Manhattan campus
• White Plains campus
• Berkeley College
• Brooklyn campus
• Midtown Manhattan campus
• DeVry University
• Five Towns College
• Globe Institute of Technology
• LIM College (Laboratory Institute of Merchandising)
• New York Film Academy

Religious Affiliated/Oriented Private Institutions

• Canisius College
• College of Mount Saint Vincent
• College of New Rochelle
• College of St. Rose
• Concordia College
• Davis College
• Dominican College
• D'Youville College
• Fordham University
• Lincoln Center campus
• Rose Hill campus
• General Theological Seminary
• Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
• The Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music
• Hilbert College
• Houghton College
• Iona College
• Jewish Theological Seminary of America
• King's College
• Le Moyne College
• Manhattan College
• Marist College
• Molloy College
• Montefiore Medical Center and Yeshiva University
• Albert Einstein College of Medicine
• Mount Saint Mary College
• Nazareth College
• New York Theological Seminary at The Interchurch Center
• Niagara University
• Nyack College
• Roberts Wesleyan College
• Siena College
• St. Bonaventure University
• St. Francis College
• St. John's University
• St. Joseph's College
• St. John Fisher College
• Syracuse University
• Touro College
• College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Manhattan
• Lander College for Men
• Lander College for Women – The Anna Ruth and Mark Hasten School
• Lander Institute
• Law Center
• Trocaire College
• Union Theological Seminary
• Wagner College
• Yeshiva University
• Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
• Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary
• Stern College for Women
• Sy Syms School of Business
• Yeshiva College

It is critical to make certain the college sexual misconduct investigation at your New York school is handled properly and that the accused student's interests are protected from as early as possible during the sexual misconduct investigative process.  One major reason is because even at colleges and universities where a finding of responsibility for sexual misconduct charges is made at a hearing, the investigation will set the stage for what the hearing panel is provided prior to a hearing (and what the hearing panel will in large part rely on at a hearing), and at schools where the finding of responsibility is made solely through the investigative process, what takes place during the investigation itself will determine whether the accused is found responsible or not responsible for college sexual misconduct charges.

Unfortunately, some students, families, and college employees make the mistake of not taking the necessary precautions as soon as possible when accused of sexual misconduct at college.  Some people will mistakenly believe that if they "just explain what happened," their college or university will be fair and impartial and will arrive at the truth.  In a perfect world this may be the case, but in a perfect world, sexual misconduct cases would not exist.

Fighting passionately for the future of his clients at universities and colleges throughout the nation for many years, Joseph D. Lento knows how important it is to mount the strongest defense because he understands that an accused's academic and professional future is on the line. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. Joseph Lento is a licensed attorney in New York and New Jersey, is admitted as an attorney pro hac vice in state and federal court if needed when representing clients nationwide, and serves as a college sexual misconduct advisor to students and others in academia facing sexual misconduct investigations and Title IX disciplinary cases in New York and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National College Sexual Misconduct Attorney Joseph D. Lento today at 888-535-3686 or by completing our online form.