You came to NYU to be a student. It makes sense, then, that your focus is squarely on academics. That’s where it should be. Every once in a while, though, you might want to spare a thought or two for NYU’s disciplinary misconduct policy.
We know, we know—you’re focused on academics. You’re hard-working and disciplined, and nothing matters more to you than your future. No chance you’re going to be breaking any university rules. The thing is, sometimes, despite your best efforts, trouble comes looking for you. Maybe you’re the victim of a false allegation. Maybe you’re involved in some sort of misunderstanding. Or maybe the stress of keeping your GPA up gets to you, and while you’re blowing off a little steam, you do make a mistake.
Whatever the situation, if you find yourself charged with misconduct, you want to make sure it doesn’t undo all the academic progress you’ve made to this point. That means defending yourself—aggressively, if necessary. And you’re gonna need help. The LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team was built to protect student rights. We’ve helped hundreds of students defend themselves from all types of charges. We know the law, and we know NYU’s judicial system.
What can we do for you? Contact LLF National Law Firm today to find out. Call 888-535-3686, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
New York University Standards of Conduct
Trouble can always come looking for you, but there’s no point in going looking for it. Know the rules and regulations at NYU and you’ll have a much better chance of making it to graduation unscathed or at least relatively unscathed.
NYU has a policy for virtually any sort of misconduct you can think up, including dorm life behavior, substance abuse, and even “theatrical use of simulated firearms and other weapons.” All of these are gathered into a single document, though—the Student Conduct Policy.
Most regulations are relatively straightforward. As you might expect, the university bars:
- Underage drinking
- Drug possession
- Violence
- Theft
- Destruction of property
Others are less obvious, though almost all of them are logical.
- Tampering with fire safety equipment—including pulling fire alarms at 2 am—is a serious offense.
- You’re explicitly prohibited from copying university keys and ID cards.
- You are required to comply with any reasonable request from any university employee.
The most serious offenses typically result in the most serious sanctions. Hazing, for instance, and weapons possession can garner suspension and even outright dismissal. Keep in mind, though, that even a warning can do serious damage to your academic and professional futures if it should wind up in your permanent record. The bottom line is that you can’t afford to take any charge or any proposed sanction lightly. You need to fight every allegation. The LLF National Law Firm is here to fight beside you. We know the stakes, and we have the background and experience to protect you.
Mounting A Defense to Misconduct Accusations
Of course, for all its authority over students, NYU can’t simply accuse you and punish you. Just as in the real world, you’re entitled to a presumption of innocence (“Not Responsible”), and you have a number of additional due process rights designed to protect you and ensure that justice is done.
- If you’ve been charged with an offense, it means someone has reported you to the Office of Student Conduct (OSC).
- The OSC then issued you a Notice of the Charges. This document should have explained the allegations to you. It should also have provided a complete list of your due process rights, such as your right to advanced notice of any meetings or proceedings and your right to review all evidence in the case.
- One of your most important rights is the right to an advisor, someone to help you prepare your case and to accompany you throughout the case. You are allowed to select anyone to fill this role, which means a LLF National Law Firm attorney can be on hand to help you answer questions and present your case from the very moment you are charged.
- While no one wants to be charged with a misconduct offense, if you are charged, it’s to your advantage for NYU to conduct a thorough investigation. If the university can’t uncover evidence to support the allegations, it can’t proceed. You should know as well that you have the right to give your side of the story, to submit evidence, and to suggest witnesses.
- Assuming investigators find evidence to support the charges, they submit a full report to the OSC. The OSC then sets a time and date for a panel hearing.
- The hearing is your best chance to make your full case. You may introduce evidence and call witnesses. Of course, the other side in the case then does the same. Then, you both also have the opportunity to raise questions about evidence and cross-examine witnesses against you.
- NYU employs a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence” in all judicial cases. According to that standard, guilt is based on whether it is “more likely than not” that you committed the offense.
- Should you lose your case, you can appeal. However, appeals must be based on issues of fairness, such as whether or not a procedural error occurred, the discovery of new evidence after the hearing, or a question of a sanction’s severity.
Your LLF National Law Firm attorney cannot speak for you or conduct your defense. You must fight for yourself. However, they can play a crucial role in preparing to do that. Your attorney will work with you to uncover evidence, and they’ll help you to come up with the best lines of argument based on that evidence. They can prep you to answer questions. They can suggest questions for witnesses, draft documents, and coach you on how to present your case.
Maybe their most important job, though, is to ensure you’re treated fairly throughout the process. In the end, a LLF National Law Firm attorney gives you your very best chance of salvaging your future.
Fighting for Your Future
Don’t risk your academic future by trying to handle a disciplinary misconduct charge yourself. Processes and procedures are complex and difficult to navigate. 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 to 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 LLF National Law Firm today at 888-535-3686. Or, fill out our online questionnaire.