We can't know why you didn't consult an attorney during your Kennesaw State investigation and hearing. Often, students believe campus judicial procedures are simple and straightforward. Maybe you were sure the punishment would be light, or perhaps you simply trusted in your innocence.
It turns out, though, that misconduct cases at KSU can be every bit as complex as those in an actual court of law, and even innocence isn't always enough to save you from a Responsible (guilty) verdict. And universities these days assign harsh sanctions like suspension and dismissal, even for minor offenses.
The good news is that you're here now, and you still have a chance to salvage your academic future. The Lento Law Firm is the premier firm in the country when it comes to student representation. Our Student Defense Team is dedicated to protecting student rights, and we've helped hundreds of students, just like you, defend themselves from every type of charge. We're always on your side, and you can count on us to do everything in our power to get you a just resolution to your case.
You need to act quickly, though. From the moment you're notified of the hearing outcome, you have just five business days to file your appeal. That's not a lot of time to prepare your case. 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 Kennesaw State University
The steps to filing an appeal at Kennesaw State are relatively straightforward. You write the appeal, and you file the appeal. Then, you wait for a response.
As you may already have guessed, though, things are never as easy as they seem. When it comes to appeals, the real challenge is shifting your thinking. If you can't do that, your chances of success are virtually zero.
- First and foremost, you must recognize that you're now “responsible” for the offense with which you were charged. Even if you are entirely innocent, in the eyes of the KSU administration, you're guilty.
- That guilty outcome alters the judicial playing field. Initially, you had the presumption of innocence. Kennesaw State bore the burden of proving your guilt, and the university needed compelling, concrete evidence to do that. The burden now rests on you. The working assumption is that you were treated fairly, and the outcome was just. You must prove—again, with compelling, concrete evidence—that you deserve a new hearing.
- You're no longer arguing your innocence. Instead, you're looking for “grounds” for your appeal, some reason why you didn't get a fair chance to defend yourself the first time around. There are only three options.
- You weren't able to present all the evidence of your innocence because, at the time of the hearing, some evidence hadn't yet been uncovered.
- Some procedural error occurred significant enough to have cost you the opportunity for a fair hearing.
- The case outcome simply isn't supported by the weight of the evidence.
- You may have faced a hearing panel during your original hearing. This time around, your fate rests in the hands of a single administrator, usually KSU's president.
- The president won't hold a hearing. This means you won't get the chance to make your case in person. Everything rests on the quality of your written appeal.
- All evidence in the case must be drawn from the record of the original hearing unless you're arguing that you should have the chance to present new evidence at a new hearing. Again, you are not arguing your innocence, and you cannot simply re-argue your original case. You must offer evidence relating to how you were treated during the process.
- The president cannot overturn your responsible verdict. If they accept your grounds for appeal, they can order a new hearing. Otherwise, they will affirm the original outcome.
What is the Lento Law Firm attorney's role in all of this? First, they'll make sure you fully understand what you're facing. It's your attorney's role to explain the process in terms you can understand. Then, they'll go over your entire case history with you, focusing particularly on the transcript or video of your original hearing. If there are grounds for an appeal, you can be sure they'll find them. They'll identify your strongest arguments and draft the appeal itself.
Most importantly, though the Lento Law Firm attorney will keep a close eye on everything that happens to make sure you're treated fairly.
What's at Stake
There's no getting around the fact that an appeal is a difficult challenge. Again, the process itself is simple enough, but you're now at a distinct disadvantage compared to when you were initially charged. In fact, plenty of students give up at this point and walk away.
Keep in mind, though, that walking away is a decision that can affect the rest of your life, and it can't be undone once you make it. If you're facing dismissal, that doesn't just mean separation from KSU. The university will add a notation to your transcript that explains your offense, and that will keep you out of most other colleges and universities. And while the suspension is somewhat less severe, it also includes a transcript notation. Even if you manage to graduate, you'll still need to explain that notation at every job interview over the course of your career.
It's also true that you have every possibility of winning your appeal. Yes, you face an uphill battle, but the appeals process at KSU exists for a reason. You didn't face a seasoned prosecutor at your hearing. You didn't have the benefit of a learned judge making decisions about evidence and procedures. You faced chemistry professors, English T.A.s, and maybe a couple of fourth-year drama majors. Honestly, it would be surprising if mistakes hadn't happened during your case. You have the right to a fair resolution, and if you haven't received that yet, you shouldn't be shy about filing an appeal.
Finally, don't forget that you have help this time around. The Lento Law Firm attorney knows exactly what to expect from the process. They know what makes for the most compelling evidence, and they're practiced at writing and filing appeals.
Fight For Your Future
Whether you're entirely innocent or you're simply looking to get fair treatment from Kennesaw State University, 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 the university respects your rights.
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.
