No one is immune to a charge of disciplinary misconduct—not athletes, not honor students, not student body presidents. Anyone can accuse you at any time. Misunderstandings happen. False allegations sometimes happen. And the fact is that even if you should make a mistake—break some rule or regulation—it doesn’t mean you should suffer a serious sanction like suspension or dismissal. It doesn’t mean your transcript should forever carry a record of that mistake.

LLF National Law Firm wants to make sure it doesn’t. Our Student Defense Team was created to protect students’ rights–to make sure schools treat their students fairly and don’t penalize them unfairly. How do we do that? We have an extensive background in student defense and experience helping hundreds of students defend themselves from all types of misconduct allegations. We’re also familiar with Weber State’s disciplinary procedures and can show you how to use them to your advantage. Most importantly, we understand the stakes in a way other attorneys don’t. A misconduct accusation has the power to affect both your academic and professional careers.

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

Disciplinary Misconduct at Weber State

All colleges and universities maintain something called a Student Code of Conduct. Think of this document as the set of laws that govern the Weber State community. Like any set of laws, the Weber State Code is extensive, with rules governing everything from where you can smoke to how you use campus technology.

There are five offenses, though, that tend to garner the most severe sanctions.

  • Violence: As a starting point, WSU outlaws all forms of violence towards other members of the campus community. To some extent, every other violation on this list relates in one way or another to this basic prohibition against violent behavior.
  • Weapons Possession: Firearms and other weapons have the potential to exacerbate violence. As a result, WSU bans all illegal possession of weapons and all misuse of legal weapons.
  • Hazing: WSU also prohibits violence in relation to organizational initiation. Further, you can be charged with hazing for placing someone in fear of violence, and you can be charged with threatening a pledge’s psychological and emotional well-being.
  • Sexual Misconduct: This particular offense isn’t just a matter of school policy; it’s a matter of federal law. Title IX bars sexual discrimination and harassment, from stalking to domestic violence to sexual assault.
  • Misuse of Drugs: The Code prohibits the unlawful use, possession, distribution, sale, and manufacture of any illegal drugs.

All five of these Code violations can garner sanctions, including suspension and dismissal. Keep in mind, though, that any sanction—even a warning for trespassing can be serious if it should show up on your transcript. Any transcript notation can interfere with scholarships, cost you internships and graduate school opportunities, and even play a role in HR hiring decisions.

You simply cannot afford to take any disciplinary misconduct accusation lightly. The moment you’re charged with an offense, it’s crucial that you have the LLF National Law Firm attorney on your side. Only we can protect your interests and ensure Weber State respects your rights.

The Disciplinary Process at Weber State

You do have rights—some powerful rights, in fact. The same Code that defines the rules and regulations at Weber State also guarantees due process to all accused students. That means you’re innocent until proven guilty (“not responsible until proven responsible”), you are entitled to a thorough investigation, and you must be allowed to defend yourself at a formal hearing.

  • The Dean of Students at Weber State has jurisdiction over all behavioral issues. This official reviews all allegations of misconduct and determines whether or not they warrant a formal investigation.
  • The Dean must provide you with notice of any charges against you. This notice should explain the allegations and your due process rights.
  • The Code gives you the right to an advisor who may be an attorney. This means the LLF National Law Firm attorney can begin working on your case the moment you’re charged.
  • The university must conduct some type of investigation. Without evidence to substantiate the charges against you, Weber State cannot proceed. As part of the investigative process, you have the right to give your side of the story, to offer evidence, and to suggest witnesses. In addition, you should be allowed to review any evidence uncovered as part of the investigation.
  • At the conclusion of the investigation, investigators turn their findings over to the Dean. The Dean then sets a time and date for a hearing.
  • The hearing affords you the opportunity to introduce evidence, including witness testimony. You may also raise questions about any evidence being used against you, including witness testimony.
  • Decision-makers assigned to the case are obligated to employ the “preponderance of the evidence” legal standard in determining your level of responsibility. In simple terms, you are responsible (guilty) if it seems “more likely than not” that you committed an offense.
  • Finally, you also have the right to appeal a responsible hearing outcome. However, you must have grounds to do so. At WSU, grounds can include a procedural error, the discovery of new evidence, or a disproportionate sanction.

The LLF National Law Firm attorney cannot speak for you during investigative interviews and hearings. However, it’s their job to prepare you to speak for yourself. You can count on them to work with you to uncover evidence, to coach you in responding to investigators, and to submit any preliminary documents. As the case moves to a hearing, they’ll help you draft your presentation, suggest questions for witnesses, and give you practice in making your arguments. Through it all, they’ll monitor everything that happens to make sure you’re treated fairly.

LLF National Law Firm is on Your Side

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. 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.

Utah

Tell About Your Case

When Academic Discipline Turns Into Litigation

A recent Idaho case shows how academic disputes can escalate when fairness is in question, particularly where allegations of racial discrimination are raised under federal civil rights law. According to the Idaho Capital Sun, a jury awarded $160,000 to a doctoral pharmacy student who alleged racial discrimination after being removed from […]

When the SRO (School Resource Officer) is Involved: Why “Educational Discipline” Just Became “Legal Defense”

In the name of student safety, schools are installing School Resource Officers (SROs) on campus. But SROs’ involvement in campus problems also means that incidents at school can now turn directly into criminal investigations. What parents need to know is this: If your child faces discipline because of an incident […]

Can Schools Punish Students for Social Media Posts? The Mahanoy Standard

A frustrated high school cheerleader walks into a convenience store on a Saturday afternoon. She snaps a photo with a friend, raises her middle finger, and posts a profanity-filled message to Snapchat complaining about school and cheerleading. By Monday, she’s suspended from the cheer squad. Most students would assume that’s […]

State > District > School: How Inconsistent Policies Become a Defense in Student Misconduct

The state is greater than the district, while the district is greater than the school. That probably seems like a weird SAT math problem. However, it describes the legal concept of “preemption,” when a higher authority’s law prevents lower authorities from acting inconsistently with the senior law. And preemption can […]