You’re a college student. It’s sort of your job to make mistakes. It’s how you learn things. If you’re going to make mistakes, though, you have to learn how to deal with them once you’ve made them.

As a starting point, you need to know what can get you into trouble. What exactly does the University of Northern Colorado Student Code of Conduct have to say about rules and regulations? Next, you need to know how the disciplinary misconduct system operates. After all, you can wind up accused of an offense even if you follow every regulation to a “t.” How do you go about defending yourself if it happens?

Finally, and most importantly, you need to know how to get help if you’re facing a misconduct charge. That’s actually the easy part. No one is better equipped to help university students defend themselves than the LLF National Law Firm. Our Student Defense Team was founded to protect student rights. We know what you’re up against, and we know exactly how to handle it.

What can we do about your situation? Call 888-535-3686 today to find out, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.

The UNC Rules

You’ll find a complete list of all UNC rules in the university’s Student Code of Conduct. We don’t have time to go over every single entry in the Code. We do want to draw your attention, though, to the most serious violations. These are the ones that can result in suspension or even dismissal.

  • Physical Injury: As you would expect, UNC prohibits all forms of violence. That’s to everyone’s advantage. Note, however, that the university also prohibits “endangerment.” Endangerment is a complicated offense. Since you haven’t actually caused anyone any harm, whether or not you are guilty can be a matter of interpretation. In fact, you can actually be charged for an even more subjective offense: failure to contact emergency personnel when it is called for.
  • Weapons Possession: Here again, no one is questioning UNC’s right to bar weapons from campus. Here again, though, the university’s policy is broad and inclusive, which means it’s easy to wind up accused of an offense you didn’t commit. Not only does the school prohibit firearms, knives, and “bludgeons,” but it bars any object that can “produce death or serious injury.”
  • Sexual Misconduct: This offense is actually mandated by Title IX, a federal law. The government requires universities to investigate all credible complaints and encourages schools to impose harsh sanctions on anyone found responsible for (guilty of) an offense.
  • Hazing: By now, you probably have a sense of how UNC’s Code is written. Obviously, you’ll find yourself in serious trouble if you cause physical harm to anyone as part of a hazing ritual. But you can also be charged even for relatively innocuous harm you do to pledges. Keeping someone up too late at night, for instance, can lead to an investigation.
  • Drug Use and Possession: Finally, you can be charged for any illegal drug use. Keep in mind that cannabis remains illegal under federal law. You can also be charged for misuse of prescription drugs.

Dismissal means the end of your time at UNC and likely your academic career. Most schools won’t accept transfer students with a serious misconduct offense on their records. Suspension can be just as bad. It usually means the loss of financial aid, which can make it difficult, if not impossible, to finish a degree. The truth is that any offense, even a minor offense, can cost you scholarships, graduate school opportunities, and job offers if it shows up on your transcript.

In other words, you must take every allegation seriously. That starts with contacting the LLF National Law Firm. We’ve worked with hundreds of students just like you, defending them from all types of allegations. We can help you build the strongest possible defense, and we can make certain that UNC treats you fairly.

The UNC Disciplinary System

UNC actually provides you with some important tools for defending yourself any time you’re charged with misconduct. The trick is in knowing how to use these tools effectively.

  • Anyone on campus can accuse you of an offense. And they can do so anonymously. Only the Dean of Students has the power to issue a formal charge, though. This means if you work quickly, you can sometimes prevent an allegation from turning into a full-blown investigation.
  • If you’ve been charged, you’ll receive notice of these charges. This notice contains useful information for building your defense, including an explanation of the allegations and a complete list of your due process rights.
  • You are entitled to the presumption of innocence. This means you don’t need to do anything to defend yourself other than undermine the university’s evidence. It also means the university needs evidence. As part of any investigation, you have the right to give your version of events and to review any evidence investigators uncover.
  • You are also entitled to a formal hearing, an opportunity to defend your innocence. Again, your most important job is to show the holes in the university’s case against you. You are also allowed to present physical evidence and witness testimony.
  • Decision-makers in your case must believe there is a “preponderance of evidence” against you in order to find you responsible for an offense. In simple language, this means they must believe it is “more likely than not” that you committed the offense.
  • Finally, you also have the right to file an appeal if you’re found “responsible” at your hearing. However, appeals can be tricky. You can’t just complain that you’ve been found guilty even though you’re innocent. You must be able to show that you were denied some fundamental due process right.

Under ordinary circumstances, UNC is on your side. The university doesn’t just educate you. It feeds you and houses you. It helps you find a job after graduation. If you’ve been charged with a misconduct offense, though, the university is your adversary.

Make sure you have someone on your side whose only interest is your success. The LLF National Law Firm is on your side no matter what, and we’ll hold UNC accountable for respecting all of your due process rights, start to finish.

Contact the LLF National Law Firm Today

Handling your own disciplinary misconduct case puts your entire future at risk. Make sure you have a professional on your side, someone who not only knows how to construct a strong defense but who has experience helping student clients defend themselves from college charges. The LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team will make sure you’re fully prepared to defend yourself. They’ll protect your rights. They’ll help you get the very best possible resolution to your case.

Sometimes, you have to fight for your educational future. We can help. To find out more, contact the LLF National Law Firm today at 888-535-3686. Or, fill out our online questionnaire.

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