Colleges and universities take disciplinary misconduct very seriously. How seriously? If the University of Central Florida (UCF) believes the accusations against you are credible, it will issue formal charges, conduct an investigation, and hold a full hearing into the matter. And if it finds you "responsible for" (guilty of) an offense, it will issue sanctions, up to and including probation, suspension, and dismissal.
You cannot afford to take on UCF alone. The process is too complex, and the risks are too great.
Luckily, you don't have to. The Lento Law firm is here to help. Our Student Defense Team is committed to protecting your rights and ensuring you get a fair resolution to your case. We focus on student defense, but to be clear, we are defense attorneys. We understand UCF's judicial system, and we know how to use it to your advantage. We'll fight for you using every possible resource at our disposal.
However, before we can help you, 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 the University of Central Florida
Any violation of UCF's Student Code of Conduct can be a serious matter. Even if you're only accused of underage drinking or minor property damage, you can never be certain where an investigation might lead or what sort of sanction the university might decide to impose.
Obviously, though, some rules and regulations at the university are more serious than others.
- Harmful Behavior: This is a broad category of offense. You can, of course, be charged with harming another member of the campus community or threatening harm. In addition, though, this category of offense includes “verbal abuse,” “harassment,” “bullying,” and “invasion of privacy.”
- Weapons Possession: The possession of firearms on college campuses remains a contentious issue in Florida politics. However, UCF is clear that “unauthorized” possession of firearms and other types of weapons is prohibited. In addition, the university bars all possession of fireworks, ammunition, explosives, and dangerous chemicals.
- Hazing: Hazing has become a particularly serious offense in recent years. Not only can you be charged for harming or endangering another student physically, but you can be charged for potential “mental harm” as well.
- Sexual Misconduct: Like all schools, UCF is required under Title IX, a federal law, to maintain strict policies against sexual misconduct. In addition, the government pressures schools to impose harsh penalties on anyone found responsible for an offense.
- Drug Possession: You can be charged for possession, consumption, manufacture, or attempting to possess any controlled substance, including cannabis.
As mentioned, any Code violation can potentially lead to sanctions as serious as suspension and dismissal. These offenses almost always lead to such outcomes. Keep in mind as well that suspension and dismissal both include a transcript notation about your offense. That can keep you from getting into another school or even from getting a good job.
Any time your academic future is on the line, you must contact the Lento Law Firm. There's simply too much at risk to try and represent yourself.
Mounting A Defense to Misconduct Accusations
Again, the judicial process at UCF can be complex and difficult to navigate. There is a process, though. The university can't simply accuse you and impose a sanction. You are guilty until proven innocent ("not responsible until proven responsible"), and the university needs concrete evidence to substantiate any charges.
Here's what you can expect.
- Any member of the campus community can accuse you of an offense. All accusations are received by the Director of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity (SCAI).
- The Director must supply you with notice of the charges if the university decides to conduct an investigation. This notice should explain the allegations and your due process rights.
- UCF allows all accused students the right to an advisor, who may be an attorney. Your Lento Law Firm attorney cannot “represent” you the way they would in a criminal trial, but they can be on hand throughout the process to offer advice and help you present your case.
- Next, the university conducts an investigation. As part of this investigation, you have the right to give your side of the story. In addition, you always have the right to review any evidence investigators uncover.
- At the conclusion of the investigation, investigators submit their findings to the SCAI, which then sets a time and date for a formal hearing before a Conduct Board.
- The hearing is your opportunity to present your full case. You may introduce evidence, including witness testimony. You may also raise questions about any evidence being used against you, including witness testimony.
- The Conduct Board then uses the "preponderance of the evidence" legal standard to determine whether or not you are responsible for the offense. According to this standard, you are guilty if Board Members are more than fifty percent convinced of your guilt.
- Even if you are found responsible, you still have the right to appeal that outcome. Appeals must be based on issues of fairness, though, rather than whether or not the outcome is justified. Grounds usually include things like the discovery of new evidence, an allegation of procedural error, or an argument over the severity of the sanction.
While you are responsible for presenting your own defense, your Lento Law Firm attorney's job is to prepare you to present your defense. They'll work with you, for instance, to find evidence and to identify your strongest arguments. They'll coach you on how to respond to investigators. They'll outline your hearing presentation, suggest questions for witnesses, and draft any necessary documents. Along the way, they'll ensure you're treated fairly and that you're afforded every due process right to which you are entitled.
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.
