Your student's education is important—which is why you have worked hard to invest in their schooling for years. You have trusted your student's Missouri high school to teach them and keep them safe. Now, if your student faces Title IX accusations, you likely hope that your school will continue protecting them, even through a Title IX investigation or hearing.
Unfortunately, this might not be the case.
Under Title IX, a federal law and part of the Educational Amendments of 1972, all schools that receive federal funding need to investigate all complaints of sexual assault immediately. This law applies to your student's Missouri high school. Even though your school must handle Title IX cases efficiently, that doesn't mean your school knows how to do so effectively—or fairly.
An accusation of sexual misconduct is completely devastating for any student. The consequences can go far further than your child's high school academic experience. A charge of sexual assault could follow your student for the rest of their lives. Your student might face expulsion from their school. The Title IX process might make it difficult for them to get into college, or get a good job.
Clearly, there's a lot at stake for your Missouri Title IX case. Requesting legal aid can help you take the initiative in navigating your high school's Title IX procedures and protecting your student's rights.
Does Sexual Assault Really Happen in Your Student's MO High School?
It can be easy to assume that sexual discrimination and assault aren't problems your Missouri high school student will have to deal with. However, even in Missouri, students report cases of sexual assault daily.
The Missouri Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence found that 54% of women alone who reported sexual assault were younger than 18 years of age when the incident occurred.
Moreover, not all cases of student sexual assault involve adult offenders. Recently, a Missouri local news outlet reported that a high school student faced sexual assault charges at not one, but two high schools. Clearly, this is an issue that may affect your child's community. It's in the best interest of your family that you get informed so you can be prepared.
You and your high school student may have no experience with sexual misconduct, or what qualifies for Title IX proceedings. According to one Missouri high school's posted policies regarding Title IX, the following actions are a non-exhaustive list of what may constitute sexual harassment or assault:
- Use of materials of a sexual nature
- Requests for sexual favors
- Unwelcome sexual advances
- Unwelcome physical contact of a sexual nature
If you're wondering what your student will face during the investigation of their Title IX case, it's always better to be proactive and to learn as much as you can earlier, rather than later. Getting a successful legal advisor involved as early on in the case as possible may make a substantial difference for your child.
Title IX Cases in Missouri: What Happens Next?
If you have discovered that your student faces Title IX allegations, you might be wondering what to expect. The Missouri State Teacher’s Association states that whenever a school district employee “knows or reasonably should know” about student harassment, your school must take action immediately.
After a student makes an allegation of sexual assault against your child, your school's Title IX coordinator will sift through all available evidence. During this time, everyone involved in the assault will seek legal aid. Your school will conduct an investigation. As a part of this process, your school may offer your student a hearing. After the school has made a determination of guilt, your school district's written discipline policies may dictate your child's methods of punishment.
Ultimately, if found guilty, your student could be subject to a referral to alternative education, in- or out-of-school suspension, a revocation of rights to join in extracurricular activities, and even criminal charges.
Why a Title IX Advisor Can Help Your MO Student
The Title IX process can be confusing, emotional, and frustrating. An experienced legal advisor can help guide you through the procedure, from the original accusation to completion of the Title IX investigation. At every step, your legal advisor can assist with making sure your school treats your student fairly.
Missouri schools must abide by certain practices under Title IX regulations. If your school has neglected to provide any of the following, your school may be infringing upon your student's rights. You may wish to keep an eye out for the following documents and actions from your school, as your student's rights include access to:
- Clear Policies for Reporting, Investigating, and Resolving Allegations of Sexual Misconduct
- School Staff Designated for Handling Sexual Misconduct (With Clearly Published Contact Information)
- A Written Statement that Your Student is Innocent Until Proven Guilty
- Fair Assessment of All Submitted Evidence
- Equal Access for All Parties to the Same Measures (including Appeals, Advisors, and Written, Submitted Questions)
A hard-working legal advisor can help make sure that your student receives all of their rights during your Title IX investigation. Your legal advisor can assist with preparations for any hearings, analysis of any evidence, interviews of any witnesses, and drafting of any statements. Ultimately, your legal advisor is an experienced professional who can fight relentlessly to protect your child's rights.
Work with Lento Law Firm to Protect Your MO Student
Joseph D. Lento is a seasoned, successful Title IX Advisor in Missouri, as well as the rest of the nation. He worked hard to fight for the rights of thousands of students, and he will pursue protections for your student aggressively. Whether you're looking for thorough assistance during a Title IX investigative process or support during a Title IX adjudication hearing, Joseph D. Lento will be there for you—in Missouri, or anywhere in America. Contact the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 to protect your student's rights as early as possible in the Title IX process.
Missouri high schools where Joseph D. Lento can help as your child's student's Title IX advisor during investigations, hearings and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following school districts:
A
- Adair County R-I School District
- Adair County R-II School District
- Adrian School District
- Advance School District
- Affton School District
- Albany School District
- Altenburg School District
- Alton School District
- Appleton City School District
- Arcadia Valley School District
- Archie School District
- Ash Grove School District
- Atlanta School District
- Aurora School District
- Ava School District
- Avenue City School District
- Avilla School District
B
- Bakersfield School District
- Ballard School District
- Bayless School District
- Bell City School District
- Belleview School District
- Belgrade School District
- Belton School District
- Bernie School District
- Bevier School District
- Billings School District
- Bismarck School District
- Blackwater School District
- Blair Oaks School District
- Bloomfield School District
- Blue Eye School District
- Blue Springs School District
- Bolivar School District
- Boncl School District
- Boonville School District
- Bosworth School District
- Bowling Green School District
- Bradleyville School District
- Branson School District
- Braymer School District
- Breckenridge School District
- Brentwood School District
- Bronaugh School District
- Brookfield School District
- Brunswick School District
- Buchanan County School District
- Bucklin School District
- Bunker School District
- Butler R-V School District
C
- Cabool School District
- Cainsville School District
- Calhoun School District
- Callao School District
- Callaway County R-III School District
- Camdenton School District
- Cameron School District
- Campbell School District
- Canton School District
- Cape Girardeau School District
- Carl Junction School District
- Carrollton School District
- Carthage School District
- Caruthersville School District
- Cassville School District
- Center School District
- Centerville School District
- Central School District
- Centralia School District
- Chadwick School District
- Chaffee School District
- Charleston School District
- Chilhowee School District
- Chillicothe School District
- Clark County School District
- Clarksburg School District
- Clarkton School District
- Clayton School District
- Clearwater School District
- Clever School District
- Climax Springs School District
- Clinton County School District
- Clinton School District
- Cole Camp School District
- Cole County R-I School District
- Cole County R-II School District
- Cole County R-V School District
- Columbia Public Schools
- Community School District
- Concordia School District
- Cooper County R-IV School District
- Cooter School District
- Couch School District
- Cowgill School District
- Craig School District
- Crane School District
- Crawford County R-I School District
- Crawford County R-II School District
- Crest Ridge R-VII School District
- Crocker School District
- Crystal City School District
D
- Dadeville School District
- Dallas County School District
- Davis School District
- Delta C-7 School District
- Delta R-5 School District
- Dent-Phelps School District
- Desoto School District
- Dexter School District
- Diamond School District
- Dixon School District
- Doniphan School District
- Dora School District
- Drexel School District
- Dunklin School District
E
- East Buchanan County School District
- East Carter County School District
- East Lynne School District
- East Newton County School District
- East Prairie School District
- El Dorado Springs School District
- Eldon R-1 School District
- Elsberry School District
- Eminence School District
- Everton School District
- Excelsior Springs School District
- Exeter School District
F
- Fair Grove School District
- Fair Play School District
- Fairfax School District
- Fairview School District
- Farmington School District
- Fayette School District
- Ferguson-Florissant School District
- Festus School District
- Fordland School District
- Forsyth School District
- Fort Zumwalt R-II School District
- Fox C-6 School District
- Francis Howell School District
- Fredericktown R-1 School District
- Fulton School District
G
- Galena R-2 School District
- Gasconade County R-3 School District
H
- Hallsville School District
- Hancock Place School District
- Harrisburg School District
- Hazelwood School District
- Hollister School District
I
- Independence School District
- Iron County C-4
J
- Jennings School District
- Jefferson City Public Schools
K
- Kansas City Public Schools
- Kearney R-1 School District
- Kirkwood R-7 School District
- Kirksville R-III School District
- Knob Noster R-8 School District
L
- Ladue School District
- Lawson R-XIV School District
- Leeton R-X School District
- Leopold R-III School District
- Liberty Public Schools
- Lindbergh School District
- Logan-Rogersville R-VIII School District
M
- Maplewood-Richmond Heights School District
- Mehlville School District
- Mexico Public Schools
- Missouri City School District
- Montgomery County School District
N
- Nevada School District
- Nixa R-II School District
- Normandy School District
- North Callaway R-1 School District
- North Kansas City Schools
- North St. Francois County R-1 School District
- Northwest R-1 School District
O
- Oak Grove School District
- Odessa R-VII School District
- Orchard Farm School District
P
- Parkway Schools
- Park Hill School District web site
- Pattonville School District
- Platte County R-3 School District web site
- Poplar Bluff R-1 School District
- Potosi R-3 School District
R
- Raymore-Peculiar School District
- Raytown C-2 School District
- Richwoods Public School District
- Ritenour School District
- Riverview Gardens School District
- Rock Port R-II School District
- Rockwood School District
- Rolla Public Schools
S
- Savannah R-III School District
- Sikeston R-6 School District
- Smithville R-II School District
- South Callaway R-II School District
- Southwest R-V School District
- Springfield Public Schools
- Charles School District
- Joseph School District
- Louis Public Schools
- Sturgeon School District
T
- Tarkio R-I School District
U
- University City School District
V
- Valley Park School District
- Van-Far R-I School District
W
- Warren County R-III School District
- Washington School District
- Webb City R-7 School District
- Webster Groves School District
- Wellston School District
- Wentzville R-IV School District
- West Plains R-7 School District
- Westview C-6 School District
- Wheaton R-III School District
- Windsor C-1 School District
- Wright City R-II School District
Z
- Zalma School District
It is critical to make certain the Title IX investigation at your child's Missouri 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 Missouri 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.
