Students sometimes get so involved in their studies that they forget they're subject to a disciplinary policy. It makes sense. You came to the University of Louisville to study, and that's where your focus lies.
Until you find yourself accused of violating some rule.
We all make mistakes but keep in mind that you don't have to make a mistake to find yourself charged with a misconduct offense. Misunderstandings happen. False allegations happen. You're minding your own business, worrying over a freshman comp essay or a calculus final, and the next thing you know, you're forced to defend yourself.
You don't have to defend yourself alone, though. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is on your side and always ready to help. We know what you're up against as a student, and we're dedicated to protecting your rights. We can show you how to use the UL judicial system to your advantage and get the best possible resolution to your case.
First, though, 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 Louisville
Like all colleges and universities, the University of Louisville maintains a Code of Student Conduct that lists all the rules and regulations governing your non-academic campus behavior. Like all codes of conduct, Louisville's is extensive, including dozens of prohibitions against everything from underage drinking to misuse of computer resources. We can't get into all of these here, but we do want to highlight some of the more serious offenses mentioned in the Code, the ones that can result in the most serious sanctions.
- Physical Violence: UL bars all forms of violence, whether intentional or caused through recklessness. Elsewhere, the Code also prohibits "harassment," including online harassment and "threatening" others.
- Weapons Possession: The university prohibits all unauthorized “use, possession, or storage” of any weapon, ammunition, or realistic replica of a weapon.
- Hazing: Hazing allegations tend to make headlines, and UL's anti-hazing policy is broad. You can be charged for doing “mental” as well as physical harm to pledges. In fact, you don't actually have to cause harm. “Endangering” others is enough to trigger an investigation.
- Sexual Misconduct: The federal Title IX statute prohibits sexual misconduct on college campuses. Universities are required to investigate all credible complaints or risk federal funding. Additionally, the government encourages the imposition of harsh punishments like suspension and dismissal.
- Drug Use and Possession: UL policy bars all use and possession of controlled substances, including medicinal marijuana, which remains illegal under federal law. In addition, you can be charged simply for possessing drug paraphernalia.
Obviously, suspension and dismissal are the most serious sanctions you can face as a student. Either put your academic future in immediate jeopardy. However, don't ignore minor offenses. Even a warning for disorderly conduct can damage your future if it shows up on your transcript. Graduate school committees and HR departments take a dim view of disciplinary misconduct.
You must fight every charge, no matter how small. The Lento Law Firm is here to help, whatever your situation.
Mounting A Defense to Misconduct Accusations
If you make it through the Code of Conduct's long list of rules and regulations, you'll find that you also have some pretty important rights as well. UL is required, for instance, to presume you are “not responsible” (innocent). It must have a “preponderance of evidence” in order to find you responsible for an offense, and it must give you the opportunity to refute that evidence at a hearing.
- Cases begin when someone lodges a complaint against you with the Dean of Students Office.
- If the Dean decides to proceed with an official charge, you'll receive notice of that charge. Notice should describe the allegations and include a list of your due process rights.
- Among your rights, you are entitled to an advisor, who may be an attorney. You must present your own case, but your Lento Law Firm attorney can be on hand to help you do that.
- Next, the university conducts an investigation. UL must have evidence in order to find you responsible for an offense. As part of the investigation, you'll have a chance to give your side of the story. In addition, you have a right to review all evidence in the case.
- Once the investigation is complete, investigators turn their findings over to the Dean of Students, who sets a time and date for a hearing.
- A hearing can take the form of an administrative conference with a single official or a full hearing before a conduct panel. In either case, both sides get to make their cases and present evidence. You may call witnesses to testify, and you may raise questions for anyone testifying against you.
- Again, the legal standard of responsibility (guilt) at UL is “preponderance of the evidence.” According to this standard, you are guilty if it seems “more likely than not” that you committed an offense.
- If you're found not responsible, the case is over. If you're found responsible, you can still appeal the outcome if you have grounds for such an appeal. Grounds usually involve issues of fairness, such as a procedural error, the discovery of new evidence, or a disproportionate sanction.
The moment you contact the Lento Law Firm, we'll begin working on your case, helping you uncover evidence and preparing you to answer investigative questions. In addition to accompanying you to all proceedings, we'll also help you outline your defense, from identifying your strongest arguments to suggesting questions for witnesses. We can draft documents and file appeals. Throughout it all, we'll make sure you're treated fairly and that the university affords you every 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.
