If you've found your way to this page, it can mean only one thing: you've lost a disciplinary case at Emory University. Not only did you lose, but you were almost certainly assigned a serious sanction, at least suspension, but more likely dismissal. And maybe you've just realized that you can't transfer your way out of this problem. Suspension and dismissal are noted on your transcript. It can be difficult, if not impossible, to find a school to accept you under those conditions.
We're also guessing that you didn't hire an attorney to help you with the investigation and hearing. That's understandable. Emory doesn't allow attorneys to accompany students to official meetings and proceedings. You need to know, though: you absolutely have a right to consult with an attorney. Even if they can't sit with you during a hearing, an attorney can help you map out your defense strategy and can work with you on all aspects of preparing your case, including filing appeals.
You need the right attorney, though. Local and family attorneys are great for drafting wills and helping with DUIs. When it comes to educational law, though, the premier firm in the country is the Lento Law Firm. Our Student Defense Team was founded to protect student rights. We know how campus judicial systems work and how to navigate their many quirks. We've helped hundreds of students get the justice they deserve, and we can help you as well.
To find out more, call 888-535-3686 or use our online questionnaire to tell us more about your case. Don't wait, though. Emory gives you just seven days from the conclusion of your hearing to file an appeal.
The Appeals Process at Emory University
Emory gives accused students a number of important due process rights. That is, the university cannot simply dismiss you because it decides to. Most cases are thoroughly investigated before they go to a hearing. The hearing provided you with an opportunity to make arguments, introduce evidence, and examine and cross-examine witnesses. When your case began, you were treated as "Not Responsible" until proven "Responsible." You had a chance to review all the evidence against you.
You've used up a number of those rights at this point. You still have one important one remaining, though: the right to appeal your hearing outcome. However, we need to be clear about what that right entitles you to. An appeal is a complaint lodged after the hearing about the nature of the hearing process. It isn't a chance to retry your case, though sometimes an appeal can lead to that. You're not arguing for your innocence, as you did in your hearing. You're arguing that you were mistreated in some way and that, as a result, justice wasn't done.
Where there were numerous arguments open to you during your hearing, there are only four possible arguments you can make in your appeal. These are known as "grounds."
- Your hearing did not follow proper procedures, and that prevented you from receiving fair treatment.
- The evidence in the case was not actually sufficient to justify a Responsible (guilty) verdict.
- The sanction issued in the case is disproportionate to the nature of the offense and, thus, inherently unfair.
- Some new evidence has come to light that, had it been available at the time, could have altered the hearing outcome.
- Appeals are more circumscribed than hearings in other ways as well.
- You are no longer protected by the presumption of innocence. Instead, you've been found guilty, and the burden rests on you to prove you are not.
- You are not allowed to communicate directly with the Appeal Board. There is no hearing. Instead, the Board means behind closed doors to discuss the case and come to a decision.
- Unless you have discovered new evidence, you may not offer new material for consideration. The Appeal Board's decision is based strictly on the record of the hearing and the contents of your written appeal.
- Winning your appeal does not necessarily mean you've been found “Not Responsible” (innocent). The Appeal Board can dismiss the case. It can also decide to remand the case back to a hearing board, or it may simply reduce the severity of the sanction.
Of course, an appeal is always worthwhile. You have nothing to lose at this point. If you've been dismissed from Emory, you're facing the end of your academic career. Even if you've only received suspension or probation, university sanctions can keep you from getting into graduate school, and they are certain to come up during job interviews.
Keep in mind that mistakes are made in university judicial cases all the time. The thing is, investigations and hearings aren't run by seasoned legal professionals. In all likelihood, your case was handled by a handful of professors, some administrators, and a couple of students. Anyone can make a mistake, but individuals tasked with doing a job they weren't trained to tend to make more than most. You shouldn't be punished because someone didn't afford you all the rights you deserve or simply misinterpreted school policy.
You've got one more thing going for you this time around: you've got a Lento Law Firm attorney on your side. We know what appeals boards look for in these cases. We know what makes for the most compelling arguments, we're adept at gathering and organizing evidence, and we've drafted hundreds of these appeals. Lento Law Firm attorneys are focused on education law. As a result, no one gives you a better chance at a just resolution to your case.
Fight for Your Future
Let's be clear: we cannot promise to win your case. The truth is, you should be suspicious of anyone who says they can make that promise. At this point, you are in a difficult situation with limited options. You don't have a lot of rights left to you, and you've already been found “Responsible” for an offense. Here's what we can promise you, though: no one gives you a better chance of winning your appeal than the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team. No one knows the system the way we do, and no one is better positioned to leverage that system to your benefit. If you know you are innocent, if you believe you've been treated unfairly, we can help.
You cannot afford to wait, though. The window for filing your appeal at Emory University is just seven days. That's not a lot of time to build your defense. Contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or use our online form.
