All communities have rules. Cal State-Sacramento is no different from a town or city in that regard. Rules and regulations ensure that everyone is safe and the community runs efficiently.
Unfortunately, communities—including universities—sometimes take their rules a little too seriously. Many schools these days launch investigations into even minor offenses, and sanctions can often be severe. If you've been accused of violating CSUS policy, you don't want to try to handle the situation on your own. You need someone in your corner looking out for your interests.
The Lento Law Firm is the premier firm in the country when it comes to protecting student rights. Our Student Defense Team has helped hundreds of students defend themselves from all types of charges. We know what's at stake, and we can show you how to use the CSUS judicial system to your advantage.
To find out more about how we can help, call 888-535-3686 or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
The Cal State-Sacramento Student Code of Conduct
Any large community needs rules--often, a lot of rules--to function properly. The CSUS Student Code of Conduct includes dozens of prohibitions against everything from vandalism to trespassing. We can't possibly go into all of these rules here. We do want to make sure you're aware of the most serious offenses, though, the ones that can get you into the biggest trouble. They include
- Violence: The number one rule at CSUS? Don't do physical harm to others. In fact, the Code goes further, outlawing threats of harm as well.
- Weapons Possession: Students are explicitly prohibited from possessing firearms, knives, explosives, and dangerous chemicals on campus. Even just storing a box of ammunition in your dorm room can result in a charge.
- Hazing: University anti-hazing policies these days essentially outlaw any sort of initiation activities. In recent years, organizations and their members have been prosecuted for such offenses as keeping pledges up too late at night and interfering with pledges' study time.
- Sexual Misconduct: This form of misconduct—including things like stalking, dating violence, and sexual assault—is actually a matter of federal law. Title IX requires schools to investigate all credible complaints or risk their funding. The government also encourages the imposition of harsh penalties.
- Drug Possession: As with many CSUS policies, this one is broadly construed so that it's easy to find yourself in trouble. In addition to drug possession, the university also bars drug use, manufacture, and distribution. In fact, even possession of drug paraphernalia can be enough to earn a charge.
The minimum sanction for these five offenses is usually suspension. Often, though, students wind up dismissed. Keep in mind that suspension and dismissal both come with a transcript notation that describes your offense. You can't just transfer your way out of one of these charges. A responsible (guilty) finding can follow you for the rest of your life.
With so much at stake, you can't afford to conduct your own defense. You can't afford to trust a local or family attorney with your case. You need an attorney who works in the field of student defense. You need someone from the Lento Law Firm.
Defending Yourself From Misconduct Accusations
The rules at CSUS are strict, and the punishments can be severe. There is good news, though. The Code also entitles you to some important due process rights. The university can't simply accuse you and impose a sanction. It needs evidence to prove your responsibility, and it must give you the opportunity to defend yourself at a formal hearing.
- Anyone at CSUS can accuse you of committing a Code of Conduct offense. However, only the Chancellor's Office has the authority to issue formal charges against you.
- If you've been charged, you'll receive official notice of those charges. This notice will explain what you've been accused of doing. In addition, it should provide a complete list of all your due process rights.
- One of your most important rights is the right to an advisor of your choice. The Lento Law Firm attorney can be at your side from start to finish, offering advice and helping you present your case.
- Again, the university cannot proceed without evidence to substantiate the charges against you. It must, therefore, undertake some kind of investigation. As part of this process, you have the right to give your version of events. You may also offer evidence and suggest witnesses.
- Once the investigation is complete, investigators submit their findings to the Chancellor. You have the right to review those findings before the case proceeds to a hearing.
- Hearings at CSUS take place before a trained Hearing Officer. You may offer up any argument you can support with evidence. You may call witnesses to testify, and you may raise questions for anyone testifying against you.
- The standard of responsibility (guilt) at CSUS is "preponderance of the evidence." Decision-makers must find you responsible if they are more than fifty percent convinced you committed the offense.
- Finally, you have the right to appeal a responsible outcome. To do so, however, you must have "grounds." In simple terms, you must be able to show that you were denied a fair chance to make your case. This usually means the university committed some sort of procedural error, new evidence has appeared since the hearing, or you were given a sanction disproportionate to the nature of your offense.
Beyond accompanying you to investigative meetings and to the hearing, the Lento Law Firm attorney will handle all aspects of your defense preparation, from uncovering evidence and identifying arguments to outlining your hearing presentation and suggesting questions for witnesses. Your attorney cannot speak for you, but they will be at your side throughout the process to ensure you're treated fairly and that you get the best possible resolution to your case.
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.
