All colleges and universities take disciplinary misconduct seriously. Liberty University takes it more seriously than most. As a Christian school, Liberty is anxious that students not just develop good values but a sense of morality.
Any time you're charged with an offense, it's a big deal. Just because you're innocent doesn't mean you'll be found innocent. Misunderstandings happen all the time, and once an investigation begins, it's impossible to know where it will wind up. By the same token, even if you did commit some offense, you're entitled to a fair chance to defend yourself and to a fair and just sanction.
Whatever your situation, you need someone from the Lento Law Firm on your side. Our Student Defense Team is focused on protecting student rights. We know what you're up against when you're facing misconduct charges. We've helped hundreds of students, just like you, defend themselves. We also know the Liberty judicial system and how to use it to your best advantage.
What can we do for you? 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 Liberty University
For the most part, Liberty University's rules and regulations are contained in its Values and Violations document. This document is extensive and covers everything from theft to how students should dress. We don't have the time or space to go over every entry on the list, but we do want to draw your attention to the most serious offenses, the ones that typically carry the most serious penalties.
- Community Safety: All communities have an obligation to protect their members. When it comes to physical violence, Liberty's stance is contained in its Statement on Community Safety. There, the university explicitly prohibits acts of violence and intimidation as well as all threats of violence.
- Hazing: Hazing has garnered a number of headlines in the last several years, and, as a result, all colleges and universities now maintain strict policies against it. You can be charged for endangering another student's physical well-being, but you can additionally be charged for conduct that demeans or intimidates others.
- Sexual Misconduct: All colleges and universities are required under Title IX to develop strict sexual misconduct policies. The government requires schools to investigate credible allegations and encourages the implementation of harsh penalties.
- Drug Possession: Liberty doesn't just bar the possession, use, manufacture, and distribution of drugs but also of alcohol and tobacco products.
All of these offenses can result in suspension and dismissal. Keep in mind that suspension and dismissal include a transcript notation describing your offense. That sort of mark on your record can follow you around for your entire career. More immediately, it can keep you from enrolling at another school. If you're dismissed from Liberty, it could very well be the end of your chance at a degree.
Any time your academic future is at stake, you need the best possible help you can find. The Lento Law Firm is the premier firm in the country when it comes to representing students. No one will fight harder to protect you than we will. No one.
Mounting A Defense to Misconduct Accusations
You do not have the same due process protections at Liberty University that you'd have in the criminal justice system. In fact, Liberty is far more lax about protecting accused students than most other colleges and universities.
Nevertheless, you do have some rights, and it's important you know how to use them effectively.
Here's how the disciplinary conduct process usually works.
- The Assistant Director (AD) of the Office of Community Life has jurisdiction over all incidents of disciplinary misconduct. Anyone may accuse you of an offense, but only this official can determine whether those accusations are credible.
- Any time you are charged with misconduct, the AD issues your official notice of those charges. This notice should explain the allegations and contain a list of your due process rights.
- The AD is responsible for coordinating misconduct cases and for conducting investigations. You should have an opportunity to give this official your side of the story. In addition, you should be allowed to submit evidence of your innocence, including statements from witnesses. Usually, you also have the chance to respond to any evidence being used against you. However, Liberty's judicial procedures do not guarantee you this right.
- At the conclusion of the investigation, the AD decides minor cases and sets sanctions. If suspension and dismissal are possible sanctions, they may refer the case to a Conduct Review Committee (CRC).
- There are no formal hearings at Liberty University. If the CRC decides to hear your case, it does so behind closed doors. Again, however, you do have the right to submit documents and evidence in defense of your innocence.
- Liberty policy doesn't specify how misconduct cases are decided. At most colleges and universities, though, responsibility (guilt) is determined using a legal standard known as "preponderance of the evidence." According to this standard, you are responsible if it seems "more likely than not" that you committed an offense.
- If you're found "not responsible," your case is over. If you should be found "responsible," you can appeal that outcome. However, you must have clear grounds to do so, such as new evidence to present, an allegation of procedural error, or an argument about the severity of your sanction.
Liberty's judicial policy also doesn't say whether or not students are entitled to advisors or whether those advisors can be attorneys. Given how few due process protections students have, though, it's reasonable to assume that you are on your own when mounting your defense. Don't let that dissuade you from contacting the Lento Law Firm. You may have to answer questions for yourself, but your Lento Law Firm attorney can handle all aspects of your case and ensure you're ready to defend yourself.
Your attorney will help you uncover evidence, for instance, and outline your strongest arguments. They'll draft documents, talk to witnesses, and create evidentiary exhibits. Most importantly, they'll keep a close eye on everything that happens and ensure that you're treated fairly and that you get a just 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.
