If you're a student or the parent of a student at a college or university in Utah and you're charged with a code of conduct or disciplinary violation, you should not take the matter lightly. Do not make the mistake of believing what some schools describe to be an educational opportunity. A code of conduct or disciplinary case can have serious potential consequences with respect to academic goals, including internships and graduate school, and professional goals, including employment opportunities.
Regardless of when you first learn of the allegations, whether it's from the Office of Student Conduct, or from a professor, an athletic coach, the campus police, respectfully declining to discuss the case until you can take the necessary precautions is critical. You must understand how your school will investigate and adjudicate the charges. To do so, you must familiarize yourself with the applicable policies and procedures. All schools will conduct an investigation and regardless of whether the school will decide responsibility based solely on an investigation or will do so at a hearing, it's critical to provide the necessary defense and response.
Notice is an issue at many schools, so you must clearly define the allegations. You then must present your version of events and support it through all available means, including relevant evidence, supporting witnesses, and anything else that would be appropriate to the circumstances. At schools that decide responsibility at a hearing, you must prepare for the hearing, which in part would include preparing an opening statement, relevant questions for parties and witnesses, a closing statement, and so forth.
You must also bear in mind that schools are not mindful of an accused student's rights and interests, so ensuring a fair process is critical to achieving a favorable outcome. You do not want to find yourself in the position of having to appeal an adverse outcome and sanctions because you failed to take effective steps throughout the process. Having an experienced attorney advisor will be your best ally to help you understand and navigate the code of conduct disciplinary process at a college or university in Utah. They should be involved from as early as possible in the case.
Utah colleges and universities where Joseph D. Lento can help as your or your student's disciplinary violation advisor during investigations, hearings, and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following schools:
- AmeriTech College Draper
- Argosy University Salt Lake City
- Brigham Young University Provo
- Broadview Entertainment Arts University
- Broadview University Layton
- Broadview University Orem
- Broadview University West Jordan
- DeVry University Utah
- Dixie State College of Utah
- Eagle Gate College Layton
- Eagle Gate College Murray
- Eagle Gate College Salt Lake City
- Fortis College Salt Lake City
- Independence University
- ITT Technical Institute Murray
- Latter day Saints Business College
- Neumont University
- Provo College American Fork
- Provo College Provo
- Salt Lake Community College
- Snow College
- Southern Utah University
- Stevens Henager College of Business Provo
- Stevens Henager College Logan
- Stevens Henager College Murray
- Stevens Henager College Ogden
- The Art Institute of Salt Lake City
- University of Phoenix Utah Campus
- University of Utah
- Utah State University
- Utah State University College of Eastern Utah
- Utah Valley University
- Weber State University
- Westminster College
Utah Student Code of Conduct Disciplinary Advisor
Mounting the strongest possible defense to college and university code of conduct and disciplinary violations is critical because the stakes are high for an accused student, and the necessary steps must taken as early as possible and throughout the code of conduct disciplinary process. A finding of responsibility and any sanctions can have incredibly serious consequences for an accused student's academic and professional goals, and Joseph D. Lento has unparalleled experience passionately fighting for the future of his clients at schools in Utah and throughout the nation. Joseph Lento is a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania, 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 code of conduct disciplinary advisor to students facing disciplinary cases in Utah and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National Student Defense Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686.
