Appeals are a key part of any justice system. The fact is, the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, wants to make sure students are treated fairly. Even if you've been through an investigation and a hearing and been found “Responsible” for (guilty of) a misconduct offense, you still have the right to file an appeal. An appeal represents one last check on the system, one last chance to demonstrate that the system got it wrong the first time around.
It is the last chance, though, and you want to take it seriously. You may have tried to handle the investigation and hearing processes on your own. Or maybe you hired a local or family attorney to work on your case. It turns out, though, that campus judicial procedures can be very complicated. They are also unique, with their own particular quirks that can make them difficult to prepare for.
The Lento Law Firm is the premier firm in the country when it comes to student rights. Our Student Defense Team is specifically focused on education law and university judicial policies. We've helped hundreds of students protect themselves from all types of charges. If you're facing an appeal, you need a Lento Law Firm attorney on your side. We can make sure you're treated fairly and that you get the very best possible resolution to your case.
To find out more, call 888-535-3686 or use our online questionnaire to tell us more about your case. Don't wait, though. You have just five business days to file your UMN, Twin Cities appeal, and there's lots to do.
The Appeals Process at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Let's start with the basics: What happens when you file an appeal at UMN, Twin Cities?
An appeal is a crucial part of any campus judicial system, but you should recognize that at this point in the process, you have been found Responsible for (guilty of) an offense. That changes your situation in some important ways:
- When you are charged with an offense at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, you are entitled to a presumption of Not Responsible. In other words, the university must treat you as innocent in all ways, and only if the school can prove you violated policy can it sanction you. That's always the best position to be in from a judicial standpoint. The "burden" in the case rests with the university. Once you've been found responsible, the burden shifts to you. The working assumption is that justice was done, and you must prove that it wasn't.
- In your original case, you were allowed to rely on any reasonable argument to prove your innocence. Your options have narrowed now. In fact, you're not arguing about innocence. You're arguing about “fairness.” The only question is whether or not you were given a fair chance to make your case, so “grounds” for your appeal are limited to
- A procedural error occurred significant enough to have altered the outcome of the hearing.
- The rule you are accused of violating was misinterpreted or misapplied.
- Some new evidence has arisen that was not available at the time of the hearing and that could potentially have altered the outcome of the hearing.
- The outcome was “grossly disproportionate” to the nature of the offense.
- The outcome was not based on sufficient evidence.
- Your original case was decided by a panel or committee of decision-makers. A single Appellate Officer now has sole responsibility for determining whether or not to grant your appeal.
- You will not have an opportunity to make your case in person. Appeals are based solely on the content of your written appeal, and decisions are made behind closed doors.
- Unless you have new evidence to present, your evidence must all be drawn from the record of the hearing.
- Winning your appeal will not prove your innocence. The Appellate Officer can reaffirm the original hearing outcome, they can reduce your sanction, or they can remand your case back to the hearing level.
What's at Stake
There is no question that an appeal is an uphill battle. That does not mean you should accept your sanction and move on. There's simply too much at stake to do that. University sanctions can be severe these days. You may be facing suspension or dismissal. Either can have profound effects on your future.
If you've been dismissed, it means the end of your career at UMN, Twin Cities. It could mean the end of your academic career altogether. You can expect the university to include a transcript notation in your records that describes the nature of your offense. That can prevent you from getting into other colleges and universities.
The situation is a little better if you've been suspended. You can eventually return to UMN, Twin Cities, to complete your degree. It's never easy to return once you've been away, though, and depending on the length of your suspension, you may need to begin repaying student loans. Plus, you'll also have a transcript notation about your suspension, and you'll have to explain that when it comes time to look for a job.
You should also understand that, while you do face challenges, those challenges can be overcome. Many students win their appeals and go on to clear themselves entirely of the charges against them. Campus justice is notoriously problematic. UMN, Twin Cities hearings are run by faculty and students, people without judicial backgrounds. It's not uncommon, then, for mistakes to occur. The appeals process is in place for this very reason--to correct mistakes. You deserve justice. You should never be shy about demanding it. The Lento Law Firm can help you in that fight.
Fight For Your Future
We cannot guarantee to win your appeal. No one can. At this point, you've exhausted a number of your most important rights. The appeals process at UMN, Twin Cities, exists for a reason, though. You deserve justice, and what the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team can promise you is that we will fight hard to get you that justice. We'll protect your rights, and we'll make sure you get the best possible resolution to your case.
As we said in the beginning, though, you cannot afford to wait. The window for filing your appeal at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, is just five days. Get started now. Contact the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or use our online form.
