Anyone can find themselves accused of a disciplinary misconduct offense. Anyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re the starting quarterback on the University of Louisiana-Lafayette football team or the president of the student body. It makes no difference if you’re on the Dean’s List every semester. And once you’ve been accused, you can’t be sure where an investigation may wind up.

Any time you find yourself in trouble at ULL, it’s important that you contact the LLF National Law Firm. Why us? We’re focused on student defense. In fact, our Student Defense Team has helped hundreds of students defend themselves from every conceivable type of charge. We know your rights under ULL policies, and we know how disciplinary procedures work. Whatever your situation, we’ll use every resource at our disposal to get you the best possible resolution to your case.

What can we do for you? Call 888-535-3686 today to find out. Or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.

The ULL Student Code of Conduct

As a starting point, let’s talk about the ULL Student Code of Conduct. These are the rules and regulations you’re expected to follow when you’re on campus and, to some extent, even when you’re off campus. We recommend you take the time to understand all of the offenses listed in the Code. As a starting point, here are the five most serious violations, the ones that typically carry the most serious sanctions.

  • Harm to Persons: Like all colleges and universities, ULL takes seriously its responsibility to protect everyone on campus. You can be charged not just for causing actual harm but also for creating the conditions in which harm could occur.

  • Weapons Possession: The university also prohibits all weapons possession. This applies to firearms, including BB guns, paintball guns, pellet guns, and facsimile guns. In addition, it applies to explosives, arrows, axes, and machetes.

  • Hazing: Increasingly, colleges and universities are taking a hard-line approach toward hazing. Any initiation activity that endangers a person’s physical, mental, or emotional health is explicitly prohibited. Even preventing a pledge from studying can be enough to earn a charge.

  • Sexual Misconduct: Under Title IX, all schools are required to investigate all credible complaints of sexual misconduct. In addition, the federal government encourages the use of harsh penalties for anyone found responsible for (guilty of) such an offense.

  • Illegal Drugs: Finally, the Code also bars all possession, attempt to possess, manufacture, and sale of illegal drugs. You can be charged for misusing prescription medications and for possession of drug-related paraphernalia.

Any one of these five offenses can result in suspension or dismissal. It’s worth remembering that far lesser sanctions for far more minor offenses can cause you just as much trouble. Any misconduct that appears on your transcript can disrupt scholarships, keep you out of graduate school, and even interfere with job applications.

This is one reason why it is so important that you contact the LLF National Law Firm any time you’re facing an allegation, large or small. There’s too much at stake to risk handling your case yourself.

The Disciplinary Misconduct Process at ULL

The other reason to hire the LLF National Law Firm? You have some important due process rights that can protect you. However, you have to know how to use these rights effectively if they’re going to do you any good. 

For example, you are entitled to a presumption of “not responsible” (innocence). Only concrete evidence can overcome this presumption, and you further have the right to refute this evidence at a formal hearing.

Here’s a general outline of the process.

  • Cases begin when someone submits a complaint to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Anyone on campus can lodge such a complaint, but only this office can issue a formal charge against you.

  • Charged students receive official notification of these charges. This notification should include a description of the complaint and a complete list of your due process rights.

  • The Director of Student Rights then conducts an investigation into the allegations. As part of this investigation, you are entitled to provide your version of events, to submit evidence, and to suggest witnesses. In addition, you have the right to review any evidence the Director uncovers related to your case.

  • Ultimately, the Director holds a hearing into the matter, at which you may present arguments and raise questions for witnesses. You also have the right to challenge any evidence being used against you.

  • The Director then applies the “preponderance of the evidence” legal standard to determine your level of responsibility. According to this standard, you are guilty only if it seems “more likely than not” that you committed an offense.

  • If the Director decides you are “not responsible,” your case is over. If you’re found “responsible,” you can still appeal that outcome. To do so, you need sufficient “grounds.” This can include a procedural error, a new piece of evidence, or a disproportionate sanction.

ULL doesn’t allow you “representation” by an attorney. You’re expected to speak for yourself at meetings and hearings. However, your LLF National Law Firm attorney can make sure you’re prepared to do these things. We’ll work with you to uncover new evidence, coach you in talking with investigators, outline your hearing presentation, and suggest questions for witnesses. Through it all, we’ll make sure you’re treated fairly and that the university respects all of your due process rights.

Fighting For Your Future

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 university 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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