A disciplinary misconduct charge is always a big deal. It doesn't matter if all you've been accused of doing is trespassing and the university has proposed issuing you a warning; you must take the situation seriously. If a warning should find its way to your transcript, it can interfere with scholarships, internships, graduate school applications, and even job interviews.
Below, we focus on the most serious misconduct charges Kennesaw State students usually face, but any time you're facing an allegation of any type of offense, you need to make sure you have the best help you can possibly find to defend yourself.
The Lento Law Firm is the premier firm in the country when it comes to student defense. We've represented hundreds of students, protecting them from every conceivable type of charge. Our Student Defense Team knows how KSU judicial procedures work. We're dedicated to protecting your rights and ensuring you the best possible resolution to your case.
However, before we can help, you have to contact us. Call 888-535-3686 to find out how we can help, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Standards of Conduct at Kennesaw State University
Again, any type of misconduct mentioned in KSU's Student Codes of Conduct can be a serious issue. However, that document is long, and we can't possibly cover every offense. Instead, let's focus on the most serious offenses, the ones that almost always result in either suspension or dismissal.
- Harm to Persons: Most conduct offenses have to do either with endangering others, endangering the university, or endangering yourself. First up, you're prohibited from causing "harm" to any person on campus. Note that in addition to the prohibition on causing harm, you are also prohibited from "endangering" others. That is, even if you don't actually harm anyone, you could still face charges. In fact, elsewhere, the Code also bars "threatening behavior" and all forms of "bullying and cyberbullying."
- Weapons Possession: The issue of weapons possession on college campuses remains contentious in Georgia. KSU makes clear, however, that any “unauthorized” possession, use, or distribution of weapons is a violation of the Code.
- Hazing: Hazing has gained public attention in recent years, and all colleges and universities now maintain no-tolerance policies towards any kind of hazing activity. Note that regulations don't just apply to sororities and fraternities but to any campus organization.
- Sexual Misconduct: This type of offense is actually governed by federal law (Title IX). Colleges and universities are required to maintain strict policies and to investigate all credible complaints. In addition, the government encourages schools to impose harsh penalties on anyone found responsible for (guilty of) an offense.
- Drug Possession: Finally, KSU outlaws the use, possession, manufacture, sale, and distribution of all illegal drugs. School policy goes further, barring possession of drug “paraphernalia” and the use of any substance, legal or otherwise, “in a manner not consistent with the manufacturer's recommended use.”
You cannot simply transfer your way out of these kinds of offenses. KSU will conduct an investigation, hold a hearing, and sentence you in absentia if you decide to leave school. Your transcript will necessarily carry a record of your offense if you've been suspended or dismissed, and few schools are willing to accept transfer students with a disciplinary misconduct offense on their record.
Any time you're facing the end of your academic career, you need the best help you can get. You need someone from the Lento Law Firm fighting in your corner.
Mounting A Defense to Misconduct Accusations
Whatever misconduct offense you're accused of committing, you have important due process rights designed to protect you and ensure justice is done. For example, KSU must presume you are innocent (“not responsible”) unless it can prove otherwise. Proof requires concrete evidence, and you must be allowed to challenge that evidence.
Here's how things typically unfold.
- The Dean of Students is ultimately responsible for all student conduct on the KSU campus. When someone lodges a complaint against you, this official must determine whether or not the complaint is credible.
- If the Dean does issue charges against you, you'll receive notification of those charges. That notification will explain the allegations and your due process rights.
- No one ever wants to endure an investigation, but ultimately, an investigation is to your advantage. If the university cannot uncover evidence against you, it cannot proceed. The Director of Student Conduct is responsible for conducting investigations. You have the right to give your side of the story to this official and to be apprised of any evidence uncovered in the case.
- When the investigation is complete, the Director of Student Conduct initiates a hearing before a university Hearing Panel.
- You have the right to make your full case before the Hearing Panel. You may offer up evidence and call witnesses to testify. You also have the right to raise questions for anyone testifying against you.
- Members of the Hearing Panel are required to employ the “preponderance of the evidence” legal standard. In simple terms, you are guilty if they are more than fifty percent convinced of your guilt.
- Finally, you have the right to appeal a responsible (guilty) verdict if you can show that you were treated unfairly by the process. Grounds for appeal typically include procedural errors, the discovery of new evidence, and disproportionate sanctions.
The Codes of Conduct do not make clear whether or not you are allowed to bring an attorney with you to investigative meetings and hearings. You always have the right, though, to consult with the Lento Law Firm about your case. No one can deny you that right. And even if we don't step one foot on campus, we can play a central role in your defense, from helping you collect evidence to working with you to draft your hearing presentation. If we can accompany you to proceedings, you can be sure we'll be beside you to offer advice at every turn.
Most importantly, it's our job to ensure KSU respects your rights and treats you fairly, and we can be fierce when called on to protect our clients.
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.
