Like any other type of community, colleges must maintain rules and regulations. At a minimum, Palm Beach State College has an obligation to protect its students and faculty from harm. Rules also ensure the system works in an orderly way.
As with any community, though, PBSC doesn't always get things right. Students sometimes wind up accused of offenses they didn't commit. Students who make mistakes sometimes wind up with sanctions that are grossly unfair.
So, just like in any other community, students who find themselves accused of misconduct need legal representation. You may think your school has your best interests at heart, but in a disciplinary case, the school is your adversary. You need someone in your corner who can protect your rights and make sure you receive a just resolution.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team was founded to help students defend themselves from campus charges. We're licensed defense attorneys, but our focus is on responding to disciplinary misconduct allegations. We know the law, we know how PBSC operates, and we're always on your side.
We've helped hundreds of students fight charges their schools have leveled against them. We can help you to do the same. Call 888-535-3686 to find out what we can do, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
The Student Code of Conduct at Palm Beach State College
You'll find all the rules and regulations at PBSC outlined in the school's Student Code of Conduct. This is a long document, with over forty different entries, and we couldn't possibly hope to cover them all here. As you might expect, though, some violations are more serious than others. We want to take the time here to highlight the ones that can get you into the most trouble.
- Assault and Battery: Battery refers to actual physical harm, touching or striking another person intentionally and against their will. Assault typically accompanies battery. Assault involves the threat—through word or action—of physical harm. In addition to these two offenses, the Code includes a separate entry barring all "threats."
- Weapons Possession: PBSC is careful to follow Florida law when it comes to firearm possession. However, the school bars possession of any weapon—including firearms—not specifically authorized under the law. This applies to knives, tasers, explosives, dangerous chemicals, and even weapon replicas.
- Hazing: The Code also protects students from any harm that might occur as part of initiation activities. This includes mental and emotional, as well as physical harm.
- Sexual Misconduct: Such offenses are prohibited under Title IX, a federal law. Schools are expected to police their student populations and to investigate any credible complaint. In addition, the government encourages the use of harsh penalties.
- Drug Possession: Under the Code, you can be prosecuted for violation of state or federal law. That includes the possession and use of illegal drugs. The Code goes to the additional trouble, though, of specifically addressing drugs and narcotics. Beyond barring drug possession and use, PCSB also prohibits misuse of legal prescription drugs and even the possession of drug-related paraphernalia.
How serious are these five offenses? The minimum penalty in such cases is typically suspension. Dismissal is the more likely penalty. In fact, any sanction--even a warning--can have a negative impact on your academic and professional careers if it is reported on your transcript. This is one reason why it is so crucial to have a Lento Law Firm attorney on your side before you go into an investigation. There's an enormous amount at stake, and only a Lento Law Firm attorney can show you how to use the PBSC system to defend yourself.
The Palm Beach State College Judicial System
The disciplinary process at PBSC is just as complicated as the Code of Conduct, and, again, we can't possibly tell you everything there is to know about it here. There are some important features of this process, though, that you should know about any time you're charged with an offense.
- The Office of Student Services has jurisdiction over Code of Conduct violations.
- As in the criminal justice system, you are entitled to due process, including the presumption of innocence (“Not Responsible”).
- The Office of Student Services must provide you with notice of any charges against you. This notice should explain the allegations and include a list of your other due process rights.
- Your presumption of innocence means the college has the burden of proving your responsibility (guilt). It can only do that with evidence. As a result, you can expect the school to conduct some type of investigation.
- As part of the investigation, you have the right to give your side of the story. Further, you have the right to review all evidence collected in the case.
- Once the investigation is complete, investigators submit their findings back to the Office of Student Services, which then sets a time and date for a hearing before a Conduct Hearing Committee.
- A hearing is not the same as a criminal trial, but you do get to offer arguments, introduce evidence, and call witnesses to testify. You may also raise questions about any evidence being used against you and cross-examine witnesses.
- Once both sides have made their cases, the Hearing Committee must deliberate. The standard of responsibility (guilt) at PBSC is “preponderance of the evidence. You are guilty if it seems “more likely than not” that you committed the offense.
- You can also appeal a responsible verdict, but you must have grounds to do so. Grounds does not mean a disagreement with the verdict. It means you can show evidence that you were denied the opportunity to make your case fairly.
PCSB is relatively unique among US colleges and universities in that students are allowed full legal representation as part of the judicial process. Your attorney can conduct your entire defense, from making opening statements to cross-examining witnesses.
Make sure you take advantage of this opportunity by hiring an attorney who understands how student misconduct cases work. The lawyers at the Lento Law Firm know what you're up against, and they have the experience of having represented hundreds of other students.
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.
