The College of William and Mary can be strict about who it allows into judicial proceedings like investigative meetings and hearings. School policy allows students to bring an advisor of their choice with them. However, advisors are not supposed to speak and can only be present to offer counsel and moral support.
You may have decided to handle the investigation and hearing phases of your case on your own because you felt like there was no point hiring an attorney if they couldn't defend you directly. The truth is, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can offer a great deal of help, even if they're forced to remain silent while you answer questions and present your case. They know what makes for a strong defense. They're experienced at uncovering evidence and identifying useful witnesses. They can keep a close watch on whether your school is treating you fairly.
They can also help you put together and file an appeal. That means you still have a chance to take advantage of what they know. The firm's Student Defense Team understands the law, and they're familiar with all of William and Mary's judicial processes and procedures. No one gives you a better chance at salvaging your academic career. No one.
However, it is vital that you contact the Lento Law Firm now. The College of William and Mary gives you just five days from the end of your hearing to file your appeal. That's not a lot of time to get your materials together. 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 the College of William and Mary
As a starting point, you need to know that appeals at the College of William and Mary can be complex. You can't treat it the same way you treated the investigation and the hearing. It requires a significant shift in thinking and approach.
- It may seem obvious to say, but you are no longer “innocent.” That's an enormous shift, one that can be difficult sometimes to wrap your mind around, especially if you are genuinely innocent. Until the hearing outcome, you were entitled to a presumption of “Not Responsible.” That meant the college had the burden of proving otherwise. Now that you've been found “Responsible” (guilty), you bear the burden. William and Mary are assumed to have gotten things right, and you must come up with incontrovertible proof that they made a mistake.
- “Mistake," in this case, does not simply mean the college got things wrong. It means some mistake was made in the procedures, or some piece of evidence was overlooked, or in some other way, you were treated unfairly. William and Mary College recognizes just five "grounds" for appeal:
- A procedural irregularity;
- Unfair bias;
- An outcome not supported by the evidence in the case;
- The discovery of new evidence not available at the time of the hearing;
- A sanction disproportionate to the offense.
- You don't have an absolute right to file an appeal. Before an appellate officer even reviews your arguments, an appellate committee must determine that your appeal has merit. Otherwise, the committee will dismiss your appeal outright.
- You have no opportunity to address either the appellate committee or the appellate officer. There are no hearings in appeals cases. This means you must be able to make a compelling argument in writing.
- In most cases, you are only allowed to use the record of the original hearing as evidence.
All of these limitations mean you are in a far more difficult position than you were when you were initially charged with an offense. Keep in mind, though, that this time around, you have the Lento Law Firm attorney on your side. They understand the process, and they know how to use that process to your best advantage.
What's at Stake
You can win an appeal, and many students do. The fact is that colleges and universities are set up to dispense justice. As a result, they make mistakes, and you have a right to point those mistakes out. You have the right to justice.
You don't want to try to handle an appeal on your own, though. Processes and procedures are complex, and a strong case usually relies on subtle interpretations of school policy and an interpretation of the case record.
In addition, there's far too much at stake at this point. You're likely facing either suspension or dismissal. Dismissal, of course, means the end of your career at William and Mary. It could very well mean the end of your entire academic career. Few schools are willing to admit a student who's been dismissed from another program. That means heading onto the job market—and paying for student loans—with no degree at all.
Of course, if you've been suspended, you can return to William and Mary once your suspension is complete. That's easier said than done, though. Once you've been away, it can be hard to return to an academic life. In addition, the record of your offense will follow you, and it can damage your career prospects even if you do have a degree.
The Lento Law Firm attorneys know what you're up against. They're familiar with the William and Mary judicial system. They also maintain relationships with the Offices of General Counsel at schools across the country. These are attorneys and law firms that universities hire to offer legal advice, and they provide the firm's Student Defense Team with valuable information on what counts as evidence in appeals and what makes for the strongest arguments.
Just as important, the Lento Law Firm attorneys understand the stakes. They believe every student deserves fair treatment and a reasonable opportunity to earn their degree. They'll fight on your behalf and make sure you get the best possible outcome for your case.
Fight For Your Future
Filing an appeal can be a challenging process. You deserve justice, though, and the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team can promise you that we 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. Five 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.
