College is about academics. That’s not the only thing it’s about, though. You could be maintaining a 4.0 GPA, and it won’t mean a thing if you’re accused of a serious disciplinary misconduct offense.

That’s why no matter who you are, you cannot afford to ignore a misconduct charge. You also can’t afford to try to handle it yourself. Navigating university bureaucracy is no joke, and with everything at stake, you need someone on your side who knows what they’re doing.

The LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team was founded to protect student rights, and no one handles university cases better than we do. We know the law and how to build an airtight defense, but we also know how MU operates. We can show you how to use processes and procedures to your best advantage.

Before we can do that, though, you have to contact us. Call 888-535-3686 today to find out how we can help with your case, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.

The Rules at Marshall

Let’s start by taking a close look at Marshall’s rules and regulations. You can find a complete list of these in the Student Code of Conduct, and we recommend taking the time to go over all of them. We don’t have the time to do that here, but we do want to draw your attention to the most serious offenses in the Code, the ones that are most likely to lead to suspension or dismissal.

  • Physical, Psychological, and Emotional Abuse: All communities have rules that bar physical violence. Marshall goes further, though, barring “psychological” and “emotional” abuse as well. What this means is that you can be charged with a serious offense for things you say, even if you don’t actually do anyone physical harm.
  • Weapons Possession: To further protect students and faculty, Marshall prohibits possession, use, brandishing, and even storage of all weapons, from firearms to pellet guns to firecrackers to slingshots.
  • Sexual Misconduct: Title IX, a federal law, prohibits sexual discrimination and harassment on college campuses, and that includes everything from verbal abuse to stalking, dating violence, and rape. The government also encourages schools to impose harsh penalties on anyone found “responsible for” (guilty of) such an offense.
  • Hazing: All schools take hazing seriously these days. Even keeping a pledge up too late at night can garner a charge, and “consent” is no defense.
  • Drug Use and Possession: Like all of these offenses, Marshall’s anti-drug policy is strict and extensive. It applies to the use, possession, manufacture, cultivation, distribution, and sale of illegal drugs. You can be charged for misuse of prescription drugs. You can also be charged for possession of drug-related paraphernalia.

You definitely don’t want to wind up dismissed or even suspended from Marshall University. Keep in mind that suspension usually includes loss of financial aid, so it can be as good as a dismissal. And even lesser sanctions can be trouble if they show up on your transcript. Employers don’t usually look favorably on a record of misconduct.

You can be sure that Marshall is already building its case against you. Don’t wait to see what might happen. The moment you’re charged, contact the LLF National Law Firm. We can begin constructing a defense and remind MU of your due process rights.

The Disciplinary Misconduct Process

What do we mean by due process rights? Just as in the criminal justice system, if you stand accused of an offense at MU, you’re entitled to a presumption of innocence (“non-responsibility”). To overcome that presumption, some key events have to happen. First, the university has to come up with convincing evidence. In addition, it must provide you with an opportunity to dispute that evidence. In fact, even if you’re found “responsible” at a formal hearing, you still have the right to appeal that outcome.

Here’s a more thorough description of the process.

  • Cases begin when someone lodges a complaint against you with the Office of Student Advocacy and Accountability. Before it does anything else, this office must decide whether the complaint is credible and actionable.
  • If Student Advocacy believes charges are warranted, it will issue you a notice of those charges. The university cannot investigate you in secret. This notice should include a description of the complaint and a full list of your due process rights.
  • Next, you can expect an investigation. Again, the university cannot proceed against you without evidence. As part of the investigation, MU should invite you to give your version of events. In addition, you have the right to review any evidence that investigators uncover.
  • Once the investigation is complete, the university will set a time and date for a formal hearing before a trained, unbiased Hearing Officer. The hearing affords you the opportunity to offer arguments for your innocence and support those arguments with physical evidence and witness testimony. In addition, you always have the right to raise questions about any evidence used against you.
  • The standard of responsibility (guilt) at MU is “preponderance of the evidence.” According to this standard, the Hearing Officer must be more than fifty percent convinced by the evidence presented against you in order to find you responsible.
  • Finally, you can also file an appeal if you’re found responsible. To do so, you must be able to show that you were denied a fair chance to present your case.

Marshall University is your home, and almost all of the time, it’s on your side. You eat there, you sleep there, you take classes there. Once you graduate, you’ll always be a Marshall alum.

If you’ve been charged with misconduct, though, all bets are off. The university has to take into account your accuser’s story, the evidence, and even how it may look in the press. The LLF National Law Firm isn’t worried about any of that. Our only concern is protecting your interests and getting you a fair resolution to your case.

Trust the LLF National Law Firm

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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