No one is immune to a disciplinary misconduct charge at Binghamton University SUNY. It doesn't matter how high your GPA might be or how many times your name has shown up on the Dean's List.
Unfortunately, it also doesn't matter whether you actually committed an offense or not. Misunderstandings happen all the time. False allegations sometimes happen. And once the university initiates an investigation, it's impossible to know where that investigation might lead.
You must take every disciplinary misconduct allegation seriously. That means having the very best help on your side, someone who understands campus judicial processes and procedures and can prepare you for everything you have to face.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team was founded to protect student rights. No one has more experience helping students defend themselves than we do. No one. We've worked with hundreds of students, defending them from every conceivable type of charge.
What can we do for you? Find out by calling 888-535-3686, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Standards of Conduct at Binghamton University SUNY
One of the reasons it's so hard to avoid a misconduct charge at Binghamton SUNY is that there are so many different rules and regulations. In fact, many of our clients don't realize they've committed an offense until they wind up accused.
We can't actually list all of the university's prohibitions here. For that, you need to study Binghamton SUNY's Code of Student Conduct. We can highlight the most serious offenses in the Code, though—the ones that typically result in the most serious sanctions.
- Physical Harm: No surprise that any type of physical assault will get you into serious trouble at Binghamton SUNY. Keep in mind, though, that you can also be charged for “threatening” harm or for “endangering” others. That is, even if you don't actually hurt anyone, you can still face severe sanctions.
- Weapons Possession: To further minimize the results of “physical harm,” the university also bars students from possessing any type of weapon, including firearms, dangerous chemicals, and explosives.
- Hazing: Hazing isn't just an offense that happens in fraternities and sororities. Any member of any campus organization can be charged. And as with “physical harm,” you don't have to actually hurt anyone to be accused of an offense. Creating the conditions in which harm could occur can trigger an investigation.
- Sexual Misconduct: All colleges and universities are required by Title IX to maintain strict policies against sexual misconduct. Such misconduct can include anything from simple verbal harassment to stalking, dating violence, and rape.
- Drug Use and Possession: You can be charged for any type of illegal drug use or for misuse of prescription drugs. In fact, you can be charged simply for possessing drug paraphernalia.
The Code of Student Conduct also contains a list of possible sanctions. These vary from warnings to outright dismissal from the university. Obviously, suspension and dismissal represent serious threats to your academic future. Any sanction, though, can have long-term consequences. The Code specifically states that even warnings are reported on student transcripts, and a record of disciplinary misconduct can interfere with scholarships, internships, graduate school applications, and job interviews.
When so much is on the line, you can't afford to try and handle the situation yourself. No matter what the charge and no matter what sanction the university has proposed, you must fight. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm are here to help in that fight.
Mounting A Defense to Misconduct Accusations
The good news is that there are options for fighting disciplinary misconduct charges. In fact, Binghamton SUNY actually gives you some important tools in conducting that fight. You are "not responsible," for example, until proven "responsible" (innocent until proven guilty). The university must have concrete proof to find you responsible, and it must give you an opportunity to challenge that evidence before it finds you responsible.
- Cases begin when someone lodges a complaint about you with the Office of Student Conduct. Anyone may lodge such a complaint, but Student Conduct officials must believe the complaint is credible before they proceed to a charge.
- You have the right to notice of any charges you're facing. Notice should include a description of the allegations and a full list of your due process rights.
- Among your rights, you are entitled to an advisor of your choice. This means the Lento Law Firm attorney can be at your side from the moment you are charged to help you respond to investigative questions.
- Investigators usually begin by asking the respondent (the accused, you) and the complainant (your accuser or alleged victim) to give statements. In addition, they interview witnesses and collect any physical evidence.
- Once they've completed their work, investigators submit their findings to the Office of Student Conduct, which then sets a time and date for a hearing before a Student Conduct Board.
- Both sides are entitled to make arguments at the hearing and support those arguments with evidence, including witness testimony. You also have the right to raise questions for anyone testifying against you and to challenge any other evidence.
- The Conduct Board doesn't have to find you responsible (guilty) “beyond a reasonable doubt.” However, Board members must believe there is a “preponderance of evidence” to support a responsible finding. In simple terms, they must believe it is “more likely than not” that you committed the offense.
- A not-responsible outcome means the case is over. If you should be found responsible, you still have the right to appeal that outcome. Appeals have to do with issues of fairness. Grounds for an appeal can include things like a procedural error, the discovery of new evidence, or an obviously disproportionate sanction.
The Lento Law Firm attorney cannot “represent” you the way they would at a criminal trial. Binghamton SUNY requires that you speak for yourself in all disciplinary matters. Your attorney will help you prepare for all aspects of your case, though, from uncovering evidence to drafting any necessary appeals. They'll be on hand to offer advice, and they'll monitor everything that happens to ensure you're treated fairly.
Fighting for Your Future
Handling your own disciplinary misconduct case puts your entire future at risk. Make sure you have a professional on your side, someone who not only knows how to construct a strong defense but who has experience helping student clients defend themselves from university charges. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team will make sure you're fully prepared to defend yourself. They'll protect your rights. They'll help you to get the very best possible resolution to your case.
Sometimes, you have to fight for your educational future. We can help. To find out more, contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online questionnaire.
