A disciplinary misconduct charge can ruin a perfectly nice academic career at Miami Dade College, and it can do that pretty quickly. It doesn't really matter if you're a 4.0 student who's routinely listed on the Dean's List. It doesn't matter if you're an athlete who's helped the Sharks to multiple championships. It doesn't matter if you're already doing research as an undergraduate into a cure for cancer. Break the rules, and all of your progress and accomplishments could be for nothing.
In fact, you don't even have to actually break the rules. Colleges make mistakes all the time. You could be the victim of a misunderstanding or a false allegation.
Whatever your situation, the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is here to help. We know Miami Dade rules and regulations and we know the college's disciplinary procedures work. We're determined to protect you and to make sure you get the best possible resolution to your case.
What can we do for you? Call 888-535-3686 today to find out, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Standards of Conduct at Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College's Student Code of Conduct is extensive, listing dozens of potential policy violations. Any offense can have serious consequences, and we recommend familiarizing yourself with the entire Code. Here, however, we want to focus on the most serious offenses, the ones that tend to result in the most serious sanctions.
- Assault and Battery: Battery means intentionally touching another person against their will. Assault means threatening to touch another person against their will. Both are prohibited under the Code.
- Weapons Possession: Weapons possession on college campuses remains a contentious issue under Florida law. However, Miami Dade College definitely bars all unauthorized weapons possession, and the Code notes that students found responsible will receive a minimum one-year suspension.
- Hazing: Hazing involves harming or endangering the physical or mental health of another member of campus as part of an initiation activity. In recent years, college students have been charged with behavior that is seemingly innocuous and interferes with pledges' ability to study.
- Sexual Misconduct: Sexually-based offenses are barred by federal law on all college campuses. Title IX not only requires schools to investigate all credible complaints but encourages them to impose harsh penalties on students found responsible.
- Drug Possession: Miami Dade College prohibits the use of any illegal drug. Keep in mind that marijuana remains illegal under federal law, even in jurisdictions that have authorized its medicinal use.
The minimum sanction for this collection of offenses is usually suspension. Many students are dismissed outright. Neither is a punishment you want to endure. Not only are they serious disruptions in your education, but they could end your academic career altogether. Both come with transcript notations that describe your offense. Thus, even if you manage to return from a suspension and complete your degree, you're still going to have to deal with that notation at every job interview.
With so much at stake, you need the very best help you can find. You need someone from the Lento Law Firm on your side.
Mounting A Defense to Misconduct Accusations
Of course, Miami Dade College can't simply accuse you of an office and suspend you. You are entitled to due process. The college must treat you as innocent until proven guilty, for instance, and you always have the right to challenge any allegations in a hearing.
Here's a rough outline of how these processes work.
- Complaints are submitted to the Student Dean's Office. Only this office may issue formal charges against you.
- The university cannot investigate you in secret. If you've been charged, you'll receive notice of those charges. This notice must explain the allegations and include a complete list of your due process rights.
- Miami Dade College cannot proceed without some evidence to substantiate the charges. You have the right to give investigators your side of the story, to submit evidence, and to suggest witnesses.
- When the investigation is complete, the Dean's Office sets a time and date for a hearing. Keep in mind that you always have the right to review any evidence investigators happen to uncover.
- At the hearing, you may offer arguments in defense of your innocence or otherwise explain your actions. You may introduce physical evidence, and you may call witnesses to testify. You may also raise questions for any witness testifying against you.
- Hearings take place before the college's Discipline Committee. This Committee ultimately decides the case using the "preponderance of the evidence" legal standard. Essentially, you are guilty if they are more than fifty percent convinced you are guilty.
- A not-responsible verdict means the case is over. If you should be found responsible, you have the right to appeal this outcome. You must have grounds for such an appeal, though, such as evidence of a procedural error, newly discovered material to present, or an argument about the severity of your sanction.
Miami Dade allows students to be fully represented by attorneys at their own expense. This is exceedingly rare among US colleges and universities and an enormous advantage when it comes to protecting yourself from misconduct charges.
Make sure you make the most of this unique right by selecting an attorney who is well-versed in college judicial procedures. The Lento Law Firm is the premier firm in the country when it comes to student representation. Our attorneys practice arguing before disciplinary committees. We know your rights, and we're determined to get you a fair and just resolution.
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.
