If anywhere in America should be committed to First Amendment rights, it’s college and university campuses. Free speech is fundamental to the nature of education. The trouble is, colleges and universities can also be a bit over-protective of their reputations. They know they’re always one offensive student comment from finding themselves on CNN. So, they make large claims about student rights, but you never can tell when they’ll decide to punish you with some disciplinary misconduct allegations simply for expressing yourself.
If you’ve found yourself accused of some offense over something you’ve said, we can help. The LLF National Law Firm is committed to protecting student rights. Our Student Defense Team has helped hundreds of students defend themselves from all types of charges. We know how the University of Nevada-Reno processes and procedures work, and we can show you how to use the system to your advantage.
To find out more about how we can help with your case, call 888-535-3686 today, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Defining Free Speech
UNR dedicates an entire web page to outlining the Laws, Policies, and Resources that protect your rights as a student. Top of the list? Quotes from both the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution. That’s a promising start.
Note, however, that this page spends a lot more time discussing the restrictions on those rights. And UNR hasn’t always had the best record when it comes to actually protecting student rights. For a number of years, for example, “free speech” was limited to certain designated areas on campus.
When schools don’t do enough to make clear just how important First Amendment rights are, they send a message to students, faculty members, and administrators that it’s easier to accuse others of “misconduct” than to engage in genuine debate. One class comment that challenges accepted wisdom can earn you an allegation. One contentious t-shirt slogan can lead to a full-blown investigation. And once an investigation gets going, you cannot know where it might wind up.
Keep this in mind as well: under most circumstances, UNR is on your side. The university educates you, houses you, feeds you. If you’ve been accused of an offense, though, it’s your adversary. The LLF National Law Firm is always on your side, no matter the situation, and we don’t mind taking on your school if it threatens your academic future.
The UNR Code of Conduct
The fact is that UNR’s Student Code of Conduct contains a number of offenses that, when misapplied, can be used to curtail your rights.
-
Disorderly Conduct: Perhaps the most common charge students face for speaking out is disorderly conduct. You can also be charged with “interference,” “obstruction,” and “failure to comply.” Even if the university can’t accuse you directly of saying something you don’t like, it might try to claim that your words represent an attempt to “disrupt” campus.
-
Harassment: UNR’s policies against harassment are based on federal laws, which protect individuals from discrimination based on certain protected characteristics, such as race, age, and sex. However, administrators who use these laws as an excuse to limit free speech misunderstand these laws’ intentions. Even “hate speech” is protected under the First Amendment.
-
Threats: Finally, schools will sometimes accuse students of making “threats” when their speech is too passionate or too pointed. These offenses carry especially severe punishments, including suspension and even dismissal.
We’re experienced at handling every conceivable type of allegation. However, we also know that allegations like these are actually just a cover for trying to silence student speech. No matter what your situation, we know how to navigate the UNR disciplinary misconduct system and get you the justice you deserve.
Defending Yourself
The good news is you have some important rights any time you’re accused of committing an offense at UNR. For instance, you’re entitled to a presumption of innocence (“non responsibility”). The bad news is that it’s not always easy to know how to use these rights to your best advantage.
Here’s what you can expect from the process.
-
The Office of Student Conduct handles all allegations of misconduct. Anyone may lodge a complaint against you, but only this office can actually issue a formal charge.
-
The Office of Student Conduct must make you aware of any charges you’re facing. Notice of the charges should include an explanation of the complaint and a complete list of all your due process rights.
-
You can expect a thorough investigation into the matter. As part of this investigation, you have the right to present evidence and explain your side of the story. In addition, investigators must make you aware of any evidence they discover.
-
You further have the right to defend yourself at a formal hearing. This provides you with an opportunity to introduce evidence and call witnesses to testify. In addition, it’s your best chance to raise questions about any evidence being used against you.
-
Hearings take place before either a single Hearing Officer or a full Hearing Board. In either case, the standard of responsibility (guilt) is “preponderance of the evidence. Simply put, you are responsible if it seems “more likely than not” that you committed the offense.
-
If you should be found responsible, you can appeal this decision. However, you must have grounds to do so, such as a record of a procedural error or a new piece of evidence that warrants consideration.
The LLF National Law Firm can guide you through all aspects of your case, from gathering evidence of your innocence to talking with investigators to drafting your hearing presentation. From start to finish, we’ll make sure that UNR treats you fairly and respects all of your due process rights. It’s our job to get you the best possible resolution to your case.
What Can We Do for You?
If you’ve been accused of some type of disciplinary misconduct over something you’ve said, you don’t want to try to handle the situation on your own. Your educational and professional futures are at stake
The LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team is committed to your future and to ensuring you get justice. We are skilled negotiators, but make no mistake: we’re ready to fight for you any time you need us.
To find out more about how we can help, contact the LLF National Law Firm today at 888-535-3686. Or, fill out our online questionnaire.