The University of Texas, Dallas allows all students accused of misconduct to select an advisor, someone to help them with their case. However, university policy makes it clear that advisors may not “represent” students. As a result, many students decide to go it alone during investigations and hearings. That’s never a good idea.

An attorney’s job goes well beyond any work they might do in a courtroom. It’s an attorney’s job, for example, to uncover evidence, to develop lines or arguments, and to draft documents. An attorney might have helped with your defense, even if they never set foot on campus.

The good news is you’ve figured that out and found your way to this page. You do still have a chance to salvage your career at UT Dallas, and the LLF National Law Firm can help. Our Student Defense Team was founded to protect student rights. We know everything about how the UT Dallas justice system works, including how to file appeals. And no matter what your situation, we’re on your side.

You cannot wait to contact us, though. UT Dallas gives you just seven days to file, and that’s not a lot of time to prepare your case. Call the LLF National Law Firm today at 888-535-3686, or use our online questionnaire to tell us more about your situation.

The Appeals Process at the University of Texas, Dallas

Before we go any further, it’s important you understand an appeal is not an investigation, and it is not a hearing. It is a very particular judicial process with its own particular rules. If you can’t adapt to this new phase in your case, you likely can’t win your appeal.

  • The biggest adjustment you need to make is recognizing that you are now “guilty” of one or more offenses. Don’t worry, we believe in your innocence. However, you cannot focus on your innocence in your appeal. Appeals aren’t about innocence. That issue has been decided. Appeals are about “fairness.”
  • The single fact of your guilt colors everything about the case at this point. In the beginning, you were presumed “Not Responsible” (innocent). That’s the ideal position. You had nothing to prove. You may have defended yourself, but the burden in the case was on the university. It had to prove your guilt with concrete evidence. In legal terms, it had the “burden.” Rightly or wrongly, it managed to satisfy that burden. Now, you’re accusing the university of something—of treating you unfairly during the process. As the accused, the university now has the presumption of innocence and you now bear the burden of finding and presenting concrete proof of their misconduct.
  • Again, the argument isn’t about innocence but fairness, and there are a limited number of arguments one can make about fairness.
    • Evidence exists which was unknown at the time of the hearing and which could potentially alter the outcome.
    • The university committed some type of procedural error that cost you the chance at a fair hearing.
    • The decision in the case is not supported by the evidence.
    • The sanction in the case is disproportionate to the offense.
  • Your original case was likely decided by a hearing panel. Appeals, however, are decided by a single individual—the Vice President for Student Affairs. A majority of decision-makers had to agree on the original finding. Only the Vice President’s opinion matters now.
  • There are no hearings in appeals cases. You will not have an opportunity to meet with the Vice President to explain your evidence or to cross-examine witnesses.
  • Unless you’ve uncovered new evidence, your arguments can only reference the original hearing record.
  • The Vice President cannot find you “Not Responsible.” That’s not the function of an appeal. They can affirm the original outcome, in which instance the case if it is over. They can reduce your sanction. They can remand the case for a new hearing.

Next to this change in thinking, the actual procedures of the appeal are relatively simple. You’ll sit down with the LLF National Law Firm attorney and go over the entire record of the case, looking for “grounds” for appeal. If grounds exist, you can be certain your attorney will find them. Then, they’ll use your strongest arguments to draft an appeal that is both clear and compelling. Once you’ve submitted that appeal—within the seven-day time frame—it’s just a matter of waiting for the Vice President of Student Affairs to make their decision.

What’s at Stake

We don’t know exactly what sanction UT Dallas has imposed on you, but if you’re here, it likely means you’re facing either suspension or dismissal. Either one has the potential to alter the course of your life.

If you’ve been dismissed, it obviously means the end of your time at the university. That can be traumatic. It means leaving your friends and your community. It means giving up the progress you’ve made to this point. In addition, though, it means your transcript will forever carry a description of your offense. And that means you probably won’t be able to find another school that will accept you.

Suspension is a bit less harsh, but it comes with its own set of challenges. It is never easy to return to school once you’ve been away. You may also have to deal with the stigma of your offense. And if you lose your financial aid package, you’ll have to pay for courses on your own. Plus, even if you do manage to earn your degree, your transcript notation will likely come up at every job interview.

Here’s the good news: students can and do win appeals cases all the time. The fact is universities aren’t very good at dispensing justice, and they tend to make mistakes. If those mistakes cost you a chance at a fair resolution, it’s your right to challenge them.

Fight For Your Future

Whether you’re entirely innocent or you’re simply looking to get fair treatment from the University of Texas, Dallas, you owe it to yourself to continue the fight. We’re here and ready to help. We’ll guide you through the entire appeals process, make sure you put forward your very strongest arguments and guarantee the university respects your rights.

As we said in the beginning, though, you cannot afford to wait. There are deadlines for filing your appeal. Get started now. Contact the LLF National Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or use our online form.

University of Texas, Dallas

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