If you've received a letter from the University of Missouri-Columbia charging you with disciplinary misconduct, you can't afford to just ignore it. You also can't afford to handle the situation on your own. You need an attorney, someone to help you navigate judicial processes and procedures. Not just any attorney will do, though. Local and family attorneys are fantastic at drafting wills, but they don't have the background and experience to deal with campus justice.
We do. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team was founded specifically to protect student rights, and we have years of experience doing just that. We know how the MU-Columbia system operates and how to use rules and regulations to your advantage. We've helped hundreds of students defend themselves from all types of allegations. No matter what your specific situation, we're on your side, and we'll use every resource at our disposal to get you the best possible resolution to your case.
What can we do for you? Find out by calling 888-535-3686, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
The Code of Conduct at MU-Columbia
The best way to avoid a disciplinary misconduct charge at MU-Columbia is to know the rules and then make sure you don't break any. We know: easier said than done. The Missouri University system's Standard of Conduct is lengthy and written in the kind of legalese that scares even us. As a starting point, though, you want to make sure you're familiar with the most serious offenses, the ones that result in sanctions like suspension and dismissal. There are basically five things you need to worry about.
- Physical Abuse: UM-Columbia outlaws all “physical abuse or other physical conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of another person.” Note that the phrasing here suggests you don't have to cause actual harm to be charged with an offense. In fact, elsewhere, the Standard also bars “threats.”
- Weapons Possession: The Standard is careful to say that “legal” possession of firearms is acceptable on campus. However, any use or possession of weapons that violates federal or state laws is explicitly prohibited.
- Hazing: Hazing is typically associated with the physical harm pledges undergo as part of initiation activities. However, it also applies to any psychological or emotional harm you might do.
- Sexual Misconduct: Title IX—a federal law—requires colleges and universities maintain strict sexual misconduct policies barring everything from simple verbal harassment to stalking, sexual assault, and rape. In addition, MU-Columbia is encouraged to issue harsh sanctions to anyone found responsible for (guilty of) such an offense.
- Drug Possession: MU-Columbia's anti-drug policy also includes misuse of alcohol. Essentially, the misuse of any controlled substance, from prescription drugs to whiskey, can lead to an investigation.
The most serious sanctions at MU-Columbia are suspension and dismissal (the university also has the power to revoke your degree years after you graduate). However, any sanction—even a warning—can have long-term consequences if it appears on your transcript. Graduate schools and employers don't usually like to see disciplinary black marks on an applicant's record. This is one important reason why you need a Lento Law Firm attorney on your side: there's simply too much at risk to trust your case to anyone else.
Judicial Processes and Procedures at the University of Missouri-Columbia
Knowing the rules at MU-Columbia can keep you out of most trouble. You can never be sure, though, when trouble may come looking for you. No one is immune to an allegation. So, in addition to knowing the university's rules, you also need to know how the judicial process works. You know, just in case.
- All allegations are handled by the university's Office of Student Accountability and Support (SAS). It is this Office that decides whether or not formal charges are warranted.
- If the university does charge you, you'll receive official notice of those charges. This notice should apprise you of your due process rights and explain exactly what you've been accused of doing.
- Among your rights, you are entitled to an advisor. This means you can bring a Lento Law Firm attorney with you to investigative meetings. We can help you answer questions and make sure investigators treat you fairly.
- As part of the investigation, you have the right to give your side of the story, to submit evidence, and to suggest witnesses for investigators to interview. You are further entitled to review all evidence investigators uncover.
- At the conclusion of the investigation, investigators submit a written report of their findings back to the SAS. The SAS then issues a decision. If you're found responsible (guilty), you then have the right to ask for a formal hearing before the Chancellor's Committee on Student Conduct.
- At the hearing, you may introduce evidence and call witnesses to testify. You also have the right to raise questions about any evidence being used against you, including witness testimony.
- The Committee bases its final decision on whether or not there is a “preponderance of evidence” pointing to your responsibility. In concrete terms, you are guilty if they are more than fifty percent convinced you committed the offense.
- Finally, you also have the right to appeal the hearing outcome if you can demonstrate you were denied a fair chance to make your case. Grounds for appeal typically include
- A procedural error;
- The discovery of new evidence;
- A disproportionate sanction.
Note that MU-Columbia requires you to speak for yourself at all official proceedings. What, then, is your Lento Law Firm attorney's role? To prepare you to do that. We'll work with you to find evidence of your innocence. We'll coach you on how to answer investigators' questions. We'll draft the content of your hearing presentation and give you practice in making your arguments. Along the way, we'll ensure the university treats you fairly and respects all of your due process rights.
Fighting for Your Future at MU-Columbia
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.
