When you are a college or university student, you have a lot of things to worry about: classes, friends, jobs, internships, and a dozen other things. You probably don't spend much time reading your school's code of conduct, so you probably aren't aware of just how many things can get you in trouble. Colleges and universities take behavioral misconduct very seriously, so you should, too.
If you're accused of behavioral misconduct at your school, you could end up getting suspended or even expelled from your institution. You've worked too hard to let that happen, and at the Lento Law Firm, we want to help. Our Student Defense Team can help you defend against a behavioral misconduct charge. Call us today at 888-535-3686, or contact us online, to learn more.
What Is Behavioral Misconduct?
Behavioral misconduct at colleges and universities is when you violate the school's conduct rules. Most institutions of higher education have a student code of conduct or student handbook that states what students can and cannot do when enrolled. If you break your school's rules, you could be accused of behavioral misconduct and face penalties.
Behavioral misconduct varies from school to school, and there may be separate policies covering different types of behavior. Many schools will categorize misbehavior as academic misconduct, sexual misconduct, or general code of conduct violations. The type of misconduct you're accused of might determine the adjudication process.
Behavioral Misconduct Examples
Some common examples of behavioral misconduct at colleges and universities include:
- Alcohol possession and distribution
- Alcohol or underage drinking
- Assault
- Cheating
- Computer and cyber violations
- Cyberstalking
- Property damage
- Disorderly conduct
- Domestic violence
- Drug offenses
- Fake ID
- Falsification or fabrication
- Harassment
- Hate crimes
- Hazing
- Lying to a university official
- Noise violations
- Piracy
- Pornography
- Residential misconduct
- Sexual harassment
- Social media violations
- Stalking
- Theft
- Threats
- Trespassing
- Weapons
- Federal, state, and local law violations
The above list isn't comprehensive; your school may also consider other actions behavioral misconduct. If you are accused of breaking the rules at your school, you should contact the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm. We can help guide you through the process and explain the charges against you.
Punishments for Behavioral Misconduct
If your school finds you responsible for behavioral misconduct, you may end up with one of the following penalties:
- Reprimand
- Probation
- Note on transcript
- Exclusion from extracurricular activities
- Community service
- Paying reparations
- Redoing an assignment or retaking an exam
- Suspension
- Expulsion
- Degree revocation
Although the punishments aren't the same at every school, the above list is typical of what you can expect. The stakes are too high for behavioral misconduct—if you get accused of a violation, contact a Student Defense Team like that at the Lento Law Firm for help.
Behavioral Misconduct Process
If you've violated your school's conduct policy, you may have to go through a behavioral misconduct process. The procedures vary by school, but you can generally expect to have a meeting or hearing to explain your side of the story, as well as an appeals process.
The steps of a behavioral misconduct process are, usually, as follows:
- Initial conference or meeting If there is evidence that you've committed a violation, you may have to meet with a school official from the conduct office, or with the head of your department if it's related to academic misconduct. At this meeting, you will discuss the charges against you. You may have the opportunity to resolve the matter without going to a hearing—but resolving it at this early stage typically means you have to accept responsibility.
- Hearing Some schools allow you to have an attorney present at your behavioral misconduct hearing; others don't. At the hearing, you can expect to be asked questions about the alleged misconduct, and you may also be able to ask questions or present evidence in your favor.
- Decision There is usually a board or panel at your hearing that will listen to your arguments and make a decision concerning the misconduct charge. Sometimes this decision takes place immediately following the hearing, and sometimes it happens a few days later.
- Appeal Typically, you're allowed to appeal the decision of the behavioral misconduct panel. You may not have much time to submit this appeal, however, as most schools require the written appeal to be sent within 7-10 days of receiving the decision.
How a Student Defense Team Can Help
If you're accused of behavioral misconduct at your school, why should you call a law firm? What can a legal team do for you? As it turns out, a Student Defense Team can help you significantly.
At the Lento Law Firm, our team has helped college and graduate students nationwide with misconduct issues. We've dealt with countless schools, negotiated with countless administrators, and worked with countless university legal teams. When you contact us to help with your misconduct matter, we'll be able to provide the help, support, and guidance that you need.
We can help you gather appropriate evidence to present at your hearing, as well as prepare you to answer questions at the hearing. We can track down potential witnesses who may be able to speak on your behalf, and we may be able to deal with your school administrators directly.
If you get in trouble with your university, a criminal defense attorney won't be able to provide the same help that the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team can. Colleges and universities have specific rules and systems that don't function the way civil and criminal law processes do. A criminal defense attorney won't know how to handle your school like our Student Defense Team.
Contact the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm
If you want to protect your future and keep your college education intact, call the Lento Law Firm. Our team is ready to discuss your behavioral misconduct matter and start working on solutions. Book a consultation by calling 888-535-3686 or contact us online.
