There are few things more unsettling than being accused of sexual misconduct. If you or someone you know is facing allegations, you may be feeling anxious about what comes next. With a million questions about what the future might hold, you're likely eager to find allies to defend against the accusations.
The odds are good that the school has already begun investigating the claims. Should they discover evidence that sexual misconduct occurred, they may invoke punishments like suspension or even expulsion. Students have the right to choose an advisor to guide them through the investigation. An attorney can offer the insider knowledge and first-hand experience necessary to build a strong defense.
Colleges and universities are changing their sexual misconduct policies following Title IX updates made by the Department of Education (DOE). Partnering with a lawyer with years of Title IX experience is the best way to navigate these new, uncertain waters. They'll provide you with the expertise necessary to navigate the claims against you. Here's what you need to know about college and university sexual misconduct cases in New Hampshire:
Defining College Sexual Misconduct
The Department of Education has strict definitions of what constitutes sexual misconduct. Some examples include sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, rape, stalking, and retaliation. Their definition even includes quid pro quo sexual harassment and any harassment that's severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive.
Other forms of sexual misconduct may be prosecuted by a university, even if DOE Title IX Final Rule exclude them. Schools frequently outline this information in their student code of conduct. When considering your case, it helps to begin by looking at your university's code of conduct to see what rules and regulations are in place.
The Department of Education has long forbidden sexual misconduct under the grounds of sexual discrimination, but new guidelines add another layer of enforcement. To comply with the new policies, universities must investigate all sexual misconduct allegations that meet the Department of Education's definitions.
College Sexual Misconduct Policies in New Hampshire
The new policies ordered by the Department of Education went into effect in August of 2020. Consequently, many schools revised their sexual misconduct policies to reflect these changes. Universities and colleges may still punish students if they participate in acts that fall outside the new definition of sexual misconduct, though.
The University of New Hampshire’s student code of conduct forbids sexual misconduct, including rape, domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation. It also prohibits sexual harassment, including unwelcome comments and behaviors that are severe and pervasive. Other New Hampshire universities and colleges have followed suit, implementing both the Title IX and their student code of conduct policy to determine penalties for such behaviors.
In many cases, those penalties include probation, suspension, or expulsion from school. Students with financial aid may lose their funding or be removed from on-campus housing. These punishments come on top of the ramifications to academic and professional opportunities, damage to reputation, and the emotional toll that so often accompanies sexual misconduct accusations.
Defending Against Allegations of Sexual Misconduct at College
If you're facing allegations of sexual misconduct, it's essential to understand your rights to build a strong defense. Protect yourself by:
Avoiding Contact with the Accuser
While it's tempting to reach out to the accuser to clear up any misconceptions about the allegations, doing so can put your case at risk. Allow your attorney to communicate on your behalf.
Avoiding Discussions with the University
Your school will likely offer you an advisor to represent you during the investigation. While it might seem like they're on your side, the advisor's loyalty lies with the school. Any details you share with them may be used against you.
Checking Your School's Sexual Misconduct Policies
Review your school's Title IX policy and any updates to your student code of conduct in light of the new rules and regulations. Checking into these policies can help clarify your rights and assist in preparing your defense strategy.
Hiring a College Sexual Misconduct Advisor
It's never too soon to start building your defense. An experienced lawyer can help provide you with the insight necessary to guide you through an investigation. Should your school attempt to infringe on your rights, you'll want a strong defender in your corner.
Crafting a Defense
Once you partner with an experienced sexual misconduct advisor, they'll prepare you for cross-examination. No detail is too small or insignificant to share with your lawyer. Even the tiniest bits of information can help build your defense.
How an Experienced New Hampshire College Sexual Misconduct Advisor Can Help
Allegations of sexual misconduct can follow a person for the rest of their lives. If you're suspended because of such accusations, you likely find it incredibly difficult to transfer to another school. If you're expelled, it may be impossible to get accepted to another college or university. Given the high stakes associated with these kinds of cases, it's critically important to find an experienced New Hampshire sexual misconduct advisor to defend your good name.
If you need an advisor for a college sexual misconduct claim, look no further than attorney Joseph D. Lento. He and his team have years of collective experience defending those facing Title IX accusations and code of conduct violations. They'll use their combined knowledge and expertise to get you the best possible outcome for your case. Get started with a confidential consultation – schedule yours today by calling 888-535-3686 right now.
Don't delay in making the call. Too often, students, families, and college employees mistakenly believe that their innocence will prevail over false allegations. They fail to take the necessary precautions required to defend against accusations, trusting the system to settle on a fair outcome. Unfortunately, no university or college can be completely impartial when handling these cases. Without trustworthy legal representation, you could risk major damage to your reputation, your education, and your future career path.
Joseph D. Lento knows first-hand the importance of a strong defense. After years of fighting for clients at universities and colleges across the country, he understands the weight such accusations hold over a person. That's why he never settles for the easy way out, instead opting to prioritize the needs and well being of each individual client.
Make sure your best interests are preserved. Call New Hampshire College Sexual Misconduct Advisor Joseph D. Lento right now at 888-535-3686.
New Hampshire 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:
- Chester College of New England
- Colby Sawyer College
- Daniel Webster College
- Dartmouth College
- Franklin Pierce University
- Granite State College
- Great Bay Community College
- Hesser College
- Keene State College
- Lakes Region Community College
- Lebanon College
- Manchester Community College
- Nashua Community College
- New England College
- New Hampshire Institute of Art
- NHTI Concord's Community College
- Northeast Catholic College
- Plymouth State University
- River Valley Community College
- Rivier College
- Saint Anselm College
- Southern New Hampshire University
- St. Joseph School of Nursing
- Thomas More College of Liberal Arts
- University of New Hampshire at Manchester
- University of New Hampshire Main Campus
- White Mountains Community College
It is critical to make certain the college sexual misconduct investigation at your New Hampshire 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 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 college sexual misconduct advisor to students and others in academia facing sexual misconduct investigations and Title IX disciplinary cases in New Hampshire 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.
