A San Diego State disciplinary appeal is a complicated process that requires a serious shift in thinking. We'll get into what that means in a bit. For now, you need to know that it's not a process you want to try to take on alone. Maybe you expected your innocence to protect you during the investigation and hearing, or maybe you hired a local attorney because they were...well, local.
This is your last shot at salvaging your academic future. You can't afford to take it lightly. You need the very best help you can possibly get.
The very best help you can possibly get is from an attorney at the Lento Law Firm. The Lento Law Firm is the premier firm in the country when it comes to student defense. Our Student Defense Team was founded to protect student rights, and we've defended hundreds of clients from every conceivable type of charge. We know San Diego State's judicial system, including how appeals work, and we can show you how to use the system to your advantage. Most important of all, we're always on your side and ready to fight to make sure you're treated fairly.
You absolutely cannot wait to contact us, though. SDSU gives you just ten working days from the end of your hearing to file an appeal. There's a lot to get done in that short timeframe. 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 San Diego State University
On the surface, there's not a lot involved in filing an appeal at SDSU. You write up your argument, you offer a bit of evidence, and you turn the whole thing into the Chancellor's Office.
If you take a close look at SDSU's rules and regulations for appeals, though, you'll discover that there's a lot that goes into this “simple” process.
- You are not arguing your innocence anymore, and that sometimes confuses students. An appeal is not an opportunity to re-argue your case or explain how the university "got it wrong." It's a very specific process designed as a check on the judicial system. You only "win" an appeal if you can show that you were treated unfairly by the process itself.
- You are no longer "innocent until proven guilty." Rightly or wrongly, you have been proven guilty. That means the burden of proof now shifts to you. The university is now presumed "Not Responsible" for treating you unfairly. It's your job to come up with evidence and arguments to prove otherwise.
- Arguments about fairness are inherently more difficult than arguments about innocence. In fact, you have only two options:
- You can argue that some procedural error occurred, severe enough to have cost you the chance at a fair hearing.
- You can argue that the sanction assigned in your case is disproportionate to the nature of your offense.
- An administrative official from the Chancellor's Office decides whether or not to accept your appeal. You will not be able to communicate with them in person. Your arguments must be made in writing.
- The only evidence the Chancellor's Office will consider is the record of the original hearing. You cannot introduce new evidence. You cannot call witnesses to testify.
- The very best outcome you can hope for is a new hearing. The Chancellor's Office cannot simply overturn the hearing outcome. Officials can reaffirm that outcome; to reduce the terms of your sanctions, or remand the case to the original decision-makers for further consideration.
You don't have to understand all that's involved in an appeal if you have a Lento Law Firm attorney on your side. We've done this hundreds of times, and we can walk you through it. The moment we hear from you, we'll begin combing through the record of the hearing. If there are grounds for an appeal, we'll find them. We know what sort of arguments are involved. We'll put together a written document that is clear and compelling and that puts you in the very best possible light.
What's at Stake
We said in the beginning that this is your last shot at winning your case. It could also be your last shot at earning a college degree. SDSU includes a notation on the transcript of all students dismissed for disciplinary misconduct. That means you won't just lose your spot at San Diego State but that you'll find it difficult, if not impossible, to enroll anywhere else. Suspension is somewhat better since you are allowed to finish your degree. Suspension includes a transcript notation as well, though, and that can certainly affect your job opportunities out of college.
Just as important, you can win your case. Universities are set up to educate students, not to police them. It turns out they don't run their judicial systems very well. Plenty of students wind up losing their hearings every year because of simple procedural mistakes. If you know you are innocent, or you feel like you've been given a sanction you don't deserve, you have a right to appeal, and you should take full advantage of that right.
The best way to defend yourself is by hiring a Lento Law Firm attorney to assist with your case. We understand the stakes, and we understand the system. We'll do everything in our power to keep you in school.
Fight For Your Future
An appeal can feel like an uphill battle. You deserve justice, though. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team will fight hard to get you that justice. We're here to protect your rights and to make sure you get the best possible resolution to your case.
As we said in the beginning, though, you cannot afford to wait. Ten days is not long to put together a strong appeal. Get started now. Contact the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or use our online form.
