It's difficult to be a student. You have a lot of things to worry about: your classes, your grades, and your future. One of the most challenging parts of being a student is balancing all your activities. It can be easy to feel like you're constantly running from one thing to the next, and it's hard to always be on the go. The burden that students carry every day can quickly become too heavy, whether it's pressure from yourself or others. Anxiety, depression, and stress can affect your behavior and performance at school, which can lead to problems with school discipline.
Facing discipline problems at school can feel overwhelming. Don't struggle to handle it on your own! Reach out for help and talk to the experienced student defense professionals at the Lento Law Firm. Leading school discipline defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento has decades of experience helping students defend themselves and working with school administration. Learn more about how we can help you by calling 888.535.3686 today.
The Grand Rapids-Kentwood-Muskegon Metropolitan Area
The Grand Rapids metropolitan area is home to a diverse number of people and businesses. The city is the second largest in Michigan. Its suburbs like Kentwood, Muskegon, Wyoming, Allendale Charter Township, Holland, Byron Township, Georgetown Charter Township, and Norton Shores, are home to various industries. Grand Rapids is also a major center for healthcare and education, with several hospitals and universities located within its borders. Grand Rapids is also known for its lively art and music scene and its abundance of parks and outdoor recreation opportunities. In recent years, the city has been undergoing a renaissance, with new developments popping up downtown and in the surrounding suburbs. This revitalization has helped to attract young professionals and families to the area, making Grand Rapids one of the most livable and fastest-growing cities in the Midwest.
The Lento Law Firm has worked with students across Michigan and the Grand Rapids area. If you are a student at one of the many educational institutions throughout the region, experienced student defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento is ready to help you with school discipline problems. If you have been accused of academic misconduct, behavioral misconduct, or have other issues that have landed you in trouble with your school, contact the Lento Law Firm today for help.
Grand Rapids Metro Area Student Concerns
Students in Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Muskegon, and throughout the area face tremendous pressure to succeed at school. There can be pressure to succeed academically, fit in socially, or excel at extracurricular activities. For many students, the stress can be too much and cause them to get into trouble. For example, students who suffer the death or illness of a close family member may not be able to focus long enough to study or complete homework, resulting in poor grades. Students with problems with personal relationships, like a fight with a girlfriend or a parent's divorce, could act out aggressively or inappropriately. Others may get into trouble with alcohol or drugs or make poor decisions that can seriously affect their academic career.
Students in Greater Grand Rapids that have gotten into trouble at school should know that there are options to defend themselves in front of their school administrations. Whether you are facing an administrative hearing, a review board, a Title IX investigation, or another form of school discipline, experienced student defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento is here to help. He can work with you and your school to develop a resolution that protects your academic career and helps you get back on track.
Grand Rapids Metro Area Schools
There are many excellent colleges, universities, and private schools throughout Grand Rapids and its suburbs. The Lento Law Firm is available to help with student defense at any location throughout Greater Grand Rapids. It can work with you and your school to resolve your school disciplinary issues.
The Lento Law Firm works with students of all ages, from kindergarten through graduate and professional schools. Some of the colleges and universities where the Lento Law Firm can help include:
- Aquinas College
- Calvin University
- Calvin Theological Seminary
- Cornerstone University
- Grace Christian University
- Grand Rapids Theological Seminary
- Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
- Kuyper College
- Thomas M. Cooley Law School
- Northwood University
- Davenport University
- Grand Valley State University
- Ferris State University
- Kendall College of Art and Design
- Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (Grand Rapids)
- Hope College
- Compass College of Cinematic Arts
- Baker College
If you are the parent of a student in high school, middle school, or elementary school, attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento can also help you. Our team at the Lento Law Firm has worked with students at schools of all levels across Michigan and can assist parents with defending their student at any local school in one of the Greater Grand Rapids school districts, including:
- West Ottawa Public School District
- Spring Lake Public Schools
- Forest Hill Public Schools
- East Grand Rapids Public Schools
- Black River Public Schools
- Grandville Public Schools
- Byron Center Public Schools
- Hudsonville Public School District
- Jenison Public Schools
- North Muskegon Public Schools
- Mona Shores Public School District
- Zeeland Public Schools
It is not uncommon for students at private high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools to run into trouble following their institution's rules. If your child is a student in one of Grand Rapids' private schools, the Lento Law Firm can. Some examples of schools where student discipline defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento can help include:
- City High-Middle School
- Catholic Central High School
- National Heritage Academies
- Innovation Central High School
- Ottawa Hills High School
- University Prep Academy
- Covenant Christian High School
- Grand Rapids Christian High School
- Lake Michigan Academy
- West Central High School
- Grand Rapids Seventh-day Adventist Academy
- Plymouth Christian Schools
- NorthPointe Christian School
- Sacred Heart Academy
- Immaculate Heart of Mary School
- St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School
- West Michigan Lutheran High School
- Western Michigan Christian High School
- Muskegon Catholic Central School
- Holland Christian High School
- Calvin Christian High School
- The Potter's House High School
Disciplinary Defense in the Grand Rapids Metro Area
School disciplinary actions can have significant consequences for students. Not only can they result in a permanent notation on a student's academic record, but they can also make it difficult for the student to get into their desired school or college. Additionally, disciplinary action can make it hard to find a job after graduation. Many employers conduct background checks and will not hire someone with a disciplinary record from school. Finally, getting suspended or expelled from school can be extremely expensive. Tuition and other expenses are often not refunded, and the student may have to pay for alternative schooling. As a result, disciplinary action can have far-reaching consequences that negatively impact a student's future.
If you are facing disciplinary action at your school, it is important to get help before you face serious consequences. The Lento Law Firm has successfully represented many students in school disciplinary proceedings. We know how to navigate the school discipline process and will protect your rights every step of the way. If you are facing an issue at your school, don't try to defend yourself. Retain experienced student defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and learn more about your legal rights and options.
Academic Progression Issues
All schools want their students to succeed. When a student cannot make the grades required for satisfactory progress through their degree, the school will often require students to take several steps to get back on course. A school may require a struggling student to repeat a course or grade level, take remedial or summer classes, or get tutoring sessions. When these measures fail to help the student achieve satisfactory grades, the school may place the student on academic probation. If the student still cannot succeed, they may be dismissed or expelled from their school.
Many students may feel like they are struggling to keep up with the high standards of their school, and it can feel unfair to face disciplinary action for failing to meet certain goals. At the Lento Law Firm, we understand how hard you work to complete your studies, and we can help you work out a resolution that gets you back on track academically. We have years of experience helping students achieve the best possible outcome in their cases—contact student defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento today to learn more about how we can help.
Academic Misconduct Issues
Academic misconduct is any cheating that occurs in academic settings. It can take many forms, from copying someone else's work to collaborating on an assignment without permission. Students accused of academic misconduct face an uphill battle. The school administration, eager to protect the institution's reputation, often finds and punishes students responsible for cheating. Academic misconduct can include many forms of misbehavior, including cheating, plagiarizing, fraud, improperly obtaining school materials, and helping someone else cheat.
The consequences for academic misconduct are severe—a failed grade on a course or project may be the least of a student's worries. Instead, many school administrations punish cheating with a suspension, dismissal, or expulsion from school. The administrative discipline process is often daunting for students, who may be unfamiliar with the procedures and unsure of their rights. If you are facing allegations of academic misconduct, it is important to have an experienced attorney-advisor who understands how to work with your school's administration. The experienced school discipline professionals at the Lento Law Firm have handled many academic misconduct cases successfully and can assist you in creating your best defense.
Behavioral Misconduct Issues
Part of growing up is occasional misbehavior. Unfortunately, student misbehavior can often cause serious disciplinary consequences. The different penalties for these offenses at school can go from a written warning to getting removed. School administrations typically punish behavioral misconduct by suspending the student. In other instances, some schools may have a "zero tolerance" policy for specific offenses. If any student commits that offense, they will be expelled immediately.
Students can understand the types of behavior prohibited at their school by reviewing its code of conduct. In this document, the school administration will list their expectations for students and the consequences for engaging in certain prohibited behavior. For instance, the Aquinas College student handbook describes the behavior on and off campus that is cause for discipline, then lays out the disciplinary review process and ways for students to appeal an unfavorable decision.
If you are going through the disciplinary process at your school, the experienced student defense professionals at the Lento Law Firm can review your school's rules and regulations and make sure your rights are protected. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento will explain the procedures to you and ensure that your school follows its protocols.
Title IX Sexual Misconduct Issues
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. This means that schools receiving federal funding must ensure that their programs and activities are free from sex-based discrimination. Additionally, schools must take steps to prevent and address sexual harassment and sexual violence. Some examples of Title IX offenses in schools include sex-based discrimination in admissions or course offerings, sexual harassment by employees or students, and sexual violence on school property. Schools may be held liable if they fail to take appropriate action to address Title IX offenses. As a result, school administrations treat allegations of misconduct under Title IX extremely seriously.
Title IX offenses like sexual assault or stalking can profoundly impact a student's future. Depending on the severity of the offense, a student could face suspension or expulsion from school or even criminal charges. However, students have the right to defend themselves against Title IX accusations, and the Lento Law Firm can help. We have extensive experience representing students in Title IX investigations and know how to obtain favorable outcomes for our clients.
School Discipline Defense Attorney-Advisor Value in Grand Rapids
If you or your student is facing problems with school discipline in the Grand Rapids area, know that you are not alone. Many students have problems with academics or discipline during their educational careers, and they don't have to stop you from reaching your goals. Call 888.535.3628 to speak with the Lento Law Firm and learn more about how experienced student defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento can protect your future academic career.
