You didn't show up to this page by accident. If you're here, it means you're in trouble at IU Bloomington. You found yourself accused of some type of misconduct. You endured an investigation and a hearing. Ultimately, you were found Responsible (guilty). Now you're facing a serious sanction—suspension, perhaps, or maybe even outright dismissal.
You do still have one chance to salvage your future at the university—an appeal. You want to make the very most of that appeal, though. This is the last chance you'll have to clear your name or reduce your sanction.
You've come to the right place. The Lento Law Firm is the premier firm in the country when it comes to student representation. Our Student Defense Team was specifically founded to protect student rights and defend students from misconduct charges. We know the Indiana University system, including how the appeals process works, and we'll use every resource available to get you the best possible resolution to your case.
You cannot afford to wait, though. The window for filing your appeal is brief, and there is a great deal that needs to be done. Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686, or use our online questionnaire to tell us more about your situation.
The Appeals Process at Indiana University Bloomington
The appeals process at IU Bloomington is relatively straightforward. You file your petition with the Dean of Students. That petition should include a memorandum stating the specific reasons you believe the hearing decision to have been improper. A three-person review board then has ten days to review this petition and render a final decision.
Yet, while an appeal only really consists of a brief memorandum, the process of preparing that memorandum is no simple matter. It involves nothing less than a change in your basic thinking about your case.
- First and foremost, the issue of “guilt” and “innocence” is no longer in question. For better or worse, the original hearing panel determined you to be responsible for your offense. If you approach your appeal as a chance to re-argue the facts of your case, your appeal is doomed before it begins.
- In your original case, you had the presumption of innocence. At this point, you are presumed guilty. The university doesn't have to prove anything. In the context of the campus judicial system, it has already done that.
- The "burden" in the case has shifted as well. Originally, the university had the burden of proving your guilt. Now, you have the burden of proving the university made a mistake in its ruling.
- The hearing outcome isn't a “mistake.” That is, you cannot base your appeal simply on the fact that you disagree with the hearing panel's decision. In fact, you cannot argue for your innocence at all. You have just two possible arguments open to you.
- First, you can argue that some error occurred in the process significant enough to have cost you the chance at a fair hearing.
- Second, you can argue that the panel's findings are not based on a “preponderance of evidence.” Keep in mind that the panel didn't have to find you guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt.” According to the “preponderance of the evidence” standard, panel members only had to be more than fifty percent convinced you committed an offense.
- The review board doesn't hold a new hearing. It meets in private to review evidence and make its decision. You will not have a chance to address the board in person, to present evidence, or to call witnesses.
- In fact, you may not submit any evidence. Instead, your arguments must rely entirely on the audio recording of your original hearing.
Here's what you can expect from the Lento Law Firm attorney. First, they'll sit down with you and go over your entire case. They'll also review the audio record of your original hearing, looking specifically for grounds to support your appeal. Once they've identified one or more bases for your petition, they'll draft a document that puts forward your strongest case and makes clear in a compelling way just what evidence in the record supports your arguments.
What's at Stake
If an appeal sounds like a difficult prospect, that's because it is. Without question, you face an uphill battle. It's a battle you absolutely must fight, though.
For one thing, a “Responsible” finding will affect your entire future. If IU Bloomington has decided to dismiss you, it's not just the end of your career at the university. It's likely the end of your entire academic career. Your transcript will carry a record of your offense, and that will make it difficult, if not impossible, to find another school willing to admit you. You'll be out on the job market—and paying any student loans—without anything more than a high school diploma.
The situation is somewhat better if you're facing suspension. You can return to IU Blooming once you've served your suspension and finished your degree. Often, that is easier said than done, though. Once you've left the university, it can be hard to return. You'll also carry the stigma of your offense through graduation. And just like students who are dismissed, your transcript will include a notation about your offense. That will always be an issue when you're applying for jobs.
There's another important reason you must keep fighting, though. While you are at a disadvantage at this point, you can win your case. In fact, successful appeals are relatively common. It turns out universities aren't really set up to dispense justice, and they make mistakes. Lots of mistakes. Decision-makers fail to take evidence into account. They don't recuse themselves when they should. They make unfair assumptions about accused students. You deserve a fair and just resolution.
Last but certainly not least, you're not filing this appeal on your own. This time around, you have the Lento Law Firm attorney on your side. We know what to expect, we know what makes for the best arguments, and we've helped hundreds of students defend themselves.
Fight For Your Future
Whether you're entirely innocent or you're looking to get fair treatment from Indiana University Bloomington, you owe it to yourself to continue the fight. We're here and ready to help. We'll guide you through the entire appeals process, make sure you put forward your very strongest arguments, and guarantee your rights are respected.
As we said in the beginning, though, you cannot afford to wait. There are deadlines for filing your appeal. Get started now. Contact the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or use our online form.
