Every college and university needs rules. No community can function effectively if members don't treat one another and the community as a whole with respect. UC Santa Cruz is no exception.
Unfortunately, over the last several years, colleges and universities, including UCSC, have become overly restrictive in terms of the rules they impose. They've become overly zealous in leveling accusations at students and far too harsh in the sanctions they apply. In these types of environments, innocent students sometimes wind up facing charges. Schools don't always respect student rights. They impose penalties far in excess of what the offense warrants.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team was founded to help push back against such practices. We know your rights, and we're prepared to fight to make sure you receive them. We're familiar with UCSC policies, and we're practiced in navigating campus judicial systems. Most importantly, we're always on your side, no matter what your situation.
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 the University of California Santa Cruz
Like all colleges and universities, UC Santa Cruz maintains an extensive Code of Student Conduct. How extensive? Extensive enough that we can't possibly list all the various disciplinary misconduct offenses it includes. We can, however, mention the most serious of these offenses, the ones that tend to result in the most serious sanctions.
- Physical Abuse: UCSC's most important responsibility is to protect its students. No surprise, then, that the university prohibits all types of violence and physical abuse. In addition, students are barred from threatening violence.
- Weapons Possession: To further protect students, UCSC also maintains a strict policy prohibiting weapons on campus. In addition to firearms and knives, the university bars “less than lethal weapons” and even “replica” weapons such as water pistols.
- Hazing: UCSC prohibits any initiation activities that create a risk of physical or emotional harm.
- Sexual Misconduct: As per Title IX, a federal law, UCSC is required to investigate all credible complaints of sexual misconduct, from verbal harassment to rape. The government also encourages the implementation of harsh penalties for those students found responsible.
- Drug Possession: UCSC's anti-drug policy is extensive, covering possession, manufacture, dispensing, distribution, use, transport, and transfer of drugs, as well as the attempt to do any of these things. Keep in mind that while medicinal marijuana is legal under California state law, it remains illegal under federal law.
Any disciplinary misconduct allegation can be serious if it should show up on your transcript. The above offenses, though, almost always result in either suspension or dismissal, and these are always reported on your transcript. Once that happens, you can lose scholarships, graduate school opportunities, and even job offers.
This is one reason why it is so crucial you contact the Lento Law Firm the moment you're charged with an offense. You need someone in your corner working to protect your future.
Mounting A Defense to Misconduct Accusations
UC Santa Cruz's Code of Conduct is strict, but that same Code provides you with some important due process protections. The university must, for example, assume you are innocent of any charges until it can prove otherwise. It needs concrete evidence, and you always have the right to dispute such evidence at a formal hearing.
- Anyone can lodge a complaint against you with the university, but UCSC must decide a complaint is credible before it issues charges against you.
- The university cannot investigate you in secret. If you've been charged, you'll receive written notice of those charges. This notice must describe the allegations, and it must contain a list of your due process rights.
- One of your most significant rights is the right to a support person of your choice. This entitles you to bring the Lento Law Firm attorney with you to investigative meetings and other official proceedings. We cannot speak for you, but we can offer advice and help you to present your case.
- As part of the university's investigation, you should be invited for an interview. You may suggest evidence during this interview or recommend witnesses for investigators to interview.
- Once investigators complete their work, they turn over their findings to the university. You have a right to review these findings as well. The university then sets a time and date for a hearing.
- At the hearing, both sides are allowed to make their respective cases. You may introduce evidence and call witnesses to testify. Further, you may raise questions about any evidence used against you.
- Ultimately, your case is decided using a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” According to this standard, you are guilty if it seems “more likely than not” that you committed an offense.
- Once the hearing is over, you can appeal the outcome if you can demonstrate you were treated unfairly by the process itself. For instance, a claim that a procedural error occurred might be enough to earn a new hearing.
While the Lento Law Firm attorney cannot “represent” you the way they would during a criminal trial, they can play a crucial role in your defense. It's your attorney's job, for instance, to uncover evidence of your innocence and identify your strongest arguments. They're responsible for preparing you to answer investigative questions. They'll outline your hearing presentation, suggest questions for witnesses, and prepare evidentiary exhibits. Throughout the process, they'll also keep a close watch on how you're treated. Their most important responsibility is to ensure you're treated fairly.
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.
