Are you and your family facing Title IX proceedings? If your student stands unfairly accused of sexual misconduct, you may be wondering what you need to do. Your first step is to secure legal aid. A legal advisor can assist with the investigation, all paperwork, preparation for any hearings, and will work to protect your student's rights at every turn.
Title IX Cases in Colorado High Schools
Do Title IX cases even occur in Colorado high schools? As you may be aware, these cases are more common than many believe. Recently, The Denver Post reported that a quarterback at a local high school faced charges for sexual assault. In another Colorado high school, four students allegedly assaulted their classmates.
ATIXA, a nationwide group of Title IX coordinators, parents tend to assume that their K-12 students are safe and supervised. This is largely because sexual assault is a ‘hidden issue' at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
The federal government enacted Title IX as part of the Educational Amendments of 1972. Title IX's purpose is simple: to protect your student from sexual assault and discrimination at school. However, due to provisions under Title IX, that same sense of protection may not extend to your student if they are dealing with false accusations of sexual misconduct.
If your family is facing a Title IX investigation or hearing, it is vital that you know your student's rights. Your Colorado high school may tend to side with the accuser and forget the rights of the accused.
What Constitutes Sexual Misconduct Under Title IX in CO?
The Colorado Department of Education defines sexual misconduct as any type of conduct (verbal, physical, or otherwise) that “targets a person based on their sex, and that the person finds unwelcome.” This is a broad definition, allowing for many different levels of complaints of differing severities.
Perhaps because the definition of sexual misconduct is vague, the United States Department of Education has noted only recommendations for each state's Title IX procedures, not necessarily strict regulations.
Postsecondary, middle, and high school institutions must follow Title IX regulations. However, this does not mean that your student's high school is ready to do so. In many cases, Colorado universities may have the staff and systems in place to handle Title IX processes promptly and fairly. Your student's high school has likely not prepared to this same extent.
Title IX Reporting and Disciplinary Practices in Your CO High School
The Colorado School Safety Resource Center has laid out several guidelines illuminating what may happen after one student accuses another of sexual assault. Their reference guide concerning students who commit sexual assault contains many provisions and principles regarding care for both victim and perpetrator after the assault. However, it also notes that the proceedings and plans may take a “victim centered approach”.
According to that reference guide, there is a five-step process in place for dealing with allegations of sexual assault in Colorado high schools:
- The victim (or the complainant) must make an official accusation of sexual assault. The student must alert the school staff, who must inform the school's superintendent.
- The superintendent will forward this information to all school staff who interact with both the victim and perpetrator. The school will assemble a file with all relevant information regarding the involved students.
- The school will send out a formal notice to both victim and perpetrator regarding the allegation and investigative procedures.
- The school will set up a meeting between all concerned parties or their representatives. During this meeting, the school will go over all evidence, as well as the files and histories of both students. At the end of this meeting, the school will make a plan to protect and educate both students following the assault.
- The school forms and executes a plan to manage the juvenile who has committed a sex offense. This may include a diagnosis of a disorder, ongoing therapy or treatment, or reassignment to alternative education.
As you can see, there is a lot at stake in your student's Title IX case. Not only could your child face expulsion from their school, but they may also even receive a diagnosis and recommendation for further treatment. These decisions may follow your student for the rest of their life.
If you and your student are facing false allegations of sexual assault, you may be the only ones with your student's interests at heart. Therefore, you need to be the ones to secure legal aid to make sure your student receives fair treatment. Otherwise, your student's bright future may be more difficult than it needs to be.
The Benefits of Legal Expertise in Title IX High School Cases
Your Colorado high school student may face disadvantages during their Title IX case. An experienced legal advisor may be able to help you hold your school accountable for respecting your child's rights. By helping keep you informed, by objecting to the mistreatment of your child, by assisting with effective preparation for a Title IX hearing—a seasoned Title IX Advisor can make all the difference in the difficult Title IX process your student faces.
A Title IX advisor may be able to:
- Assist with managing all paperwork
- Accompany you to Title IX meetings with your school
- Represent you through a Title IX hearing, and
- Fight to protect your student's rights at every turn
Joseph D. Lento Can Help Your Family with Title IX Cases
Title IX Advisor Joseph D. Lento has a history of handling hundreds of Title IX cases nationwide. He has helped high school families all over America deal with serious allegations involving sexual misconduct. Joseph D. Lento is driven, dedicated, and ready to fight aggressively to protect your child. Whether you need assistance with a Title IX investigation or need to prepare for a Title IX hearing in Colorado, Joseph D. Lento is here to help. Contact Lento Law Firm by calling 888-555-3686 today, or fill out our brief online form to learn more.
Colorado schools where Joseph D. Lento can help as your child's Title IX advisor during investigations, hearings and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following school districts:
A
- Academy School District 20
- Adams County School District 12 Five Star Schools
- Adams County School District 14
- Adams-Arapahoe School District
- Agate School District 300
- Aguilar School District RE-6
- Akron Public Schools
- Alamosa School District RE-11J
- Archuleta School District 50J
- Arickaree R-2 School District
- Arriba-Flagler Consolidated School District 20
- Aspen School District
- Ault-Highlands School District
B
- Bayfield School District 10 JT-R
- Bennett School District 29J
- Bethune School District R-5
- Big Sandy School District 100J
- Boulder Valley School District
- Branson School District RE-82
- Briggsdale RE-10J School District
- Brighton School District 27J
- Brush Public Schools
- Buena Vista School District R-31
- Buffalo School District RE-4
- Burlington School District RE-6J
- Byers School District
C
- Calhan School District RJ-1
- Campo School District RE-6
- Centennial School District R-1
- Center Consolidated School District 26JT
- Cheraw School District 31
- Cherry Creek School District, Colorado
- Cheyenne County School District RE-5
- Cheyenne Mountain School District 12
- Clear Creek School District RE-1
- Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind
- Colorado Springs School District 11
- Cotopaxi School District RE-3
- Creede Consolidated School District 1
- Cripple Creek-Victor School District RE-1
- Crowley County School District RE-1J
- Custer County School District C-1
D
- De Beque School District 49JT
- Deer Trail School District 26J
- Del Norte School District C-7
- Delta County School District 50-J
- Denver County 1 School District
- Dolores County School District RE-2J
- Dolores School District RE-4A
- Douglas County School District Re-1
- Durango School District 9-R
E
- Eads School District RE-1
- Eagle County School District RE-50
- East Grand School District 2
- East Otero School District R-1
- Eaton School District RE-2
- Edison School District 54JT
- Elbert School District 200
- Elizabeth School District C-1
- Ellicott School District 22
- Englewood Schools
F
- Falcon School District 49
- Fort Morgan County School District RE-3
- Fort Lupton School District RW-8
- Fountain School District 8
- Fowler School District R-4J
- Fremont School District RE-2
- Frenchman School District RE-3
G
- Garfield County School District 16
- Garfield School District RE-2
- Genoa-Hugo School District C113
- Gilpin County School District RE-1
- Granada School District RE-1
- Greeley-Evans School District 6
- Gunnison Watershed School District RE1J
H
- Hanover School District 28
- Harrison School District Two, Colorado
- Haxtun School District RE-2J
- Hayden School District RE-1
- Hinsdale County School District RE-1
- Hi-Plains School District R-3
- Hoehne School District R-3
- Holly School District RE-3
- Holyoke School District RE-1J
- Huerfano School District RE-1
I
- Idalia School District RJ-3
- Ignacio School District 11-JT
J
- Jeffco Public Schools, Colorado
- Johnstown-Milliken RE-5J School District
- Julesburg School District RE-1
K
- Karval School District RE-23
- Keenesburg School District RE-3
- Kim School District RE-88
- Kiowa County School District RE-1
- Kiowa School District C-2
- Kit Carson School District R-1
L
- La Veta School District RE-2
- Lake County School District R-1
- Lamar School District RE-2
- Las Animas School District RE-1
- Lewis-Palmer School District 38
- Liberty School District J-4
- Limon School District RE-4J
- Littleton Public Schools
- Lone Star School District 101
M
- Mancos School District RE-6
- Manitou Springs School District 14
- Manzanola School District 3J
- Mapleton Public Schools
- McClave School District RE-2
- Meeker School District RE-1
- Mesa County Valley School District 51
- Miami-Yoder School District 60JT
- Moffat County School District RE-1
- Moffat School District 2
- Monte Vista School District
- Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1
- Montrose County School District RE-1J
- Mountain Valley School District RE-1
N
- North Conejos School District RE-1J
- North Park School District R-1
- Norwood School District R-2J
O
- Otis School District R-3
- Ouray School District R-1
P
- Park County School District RE-2
- Park (Estes Park) School District R-3
- Pawnee School District RE-12
- Peyton School District 23JT
- Plainview School District RE-2
- Plateau School District RE-5
- Plateau Valley School District 50
- Platte Canyon School District 1
- Platte Valley School District RE-3
- Poudre School District
- Prairie School District RE-11
- Primero School District RE-2
- Pritchett School District RE-3
- Pueblo School District 60
- Pueblo School District 70
R
- Rangely School District RE-4
- Ridgway School District R-2
- Roaring Fork School District RE-1
- Rocky Ford School District R-2
S
- Saint Vrain Valley School District
- Salida School District R-32J
- Sanford School District 6J
- Sangre De Cristo School District
- Sargent School District RE-33J
- Sheridan School District
- Sierra Grande School District R-30
- Silverton School District 1
- South Conejos School District RE-10
- South Routt School District RE-3
- Springfield School District RE-4
- Steamboat Springs School District RE-2
- Strasburg School District 31J
- Stratton School District R-4
- Summit School District RE-1
- Swink School District 33
T
- Telluride School District R-1
- Thompson School District R-2J
- Trinidad School District 1
V
- Valley School District RE-1
- Vilas School District RE-5
W
- Walsh School District RE-1
- Weld County School District RE-1
- Weld County School District RE-8
- Weldon Valley School District RE-20J
- West End School District RE-2
- West Grand School District 1-JT
- Widefield School District 3
- Wiggins School District RE-50(J)
- Wiley School District RE-13JT
- Windsor School District RE-4
- Woodland Park School District RE-2
- Woodlin School District R-104
- Wray School District RD2
Y
- Yuma School District 1
It is critical to make certain the Title IX investigation at your child's Colorado high school is handled properly and that the accused student's interests and rights are protected from as early as possible during the sexual misconduct investigative process. One major reason is because even at high schools 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 high 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 student is found responsible or not responsible for Title IX charges.
Unfortunately, some parents make the mistake of not taking the necessary precautions as soon as possible when accused of sexual misconduct. Some people will mistakenly believe that if they "just explain what happened," their school 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 allegations and Title IX charges would not exist.
Fighting passionately for the future of his clients at schools 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 high school student's academic 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 Jersey and New York, is admitted as an attorney pro hac vice in state and federal court if needed when representing clients nationwide, and serves as a Title IX attorney advisor to high school students facing sexual misconduct investigations and disciplinary cases in Colorado and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National High School Title IX Attorney Joseph D. Lento today at 888-535-3686.
