One of the few things you can count on as a University of Texas – Dallas student: at some point, you're going to find yourself in trouble. We all make mistakes, but even if you manage to avoid making one, there's always the possibility that you'll find yourself the victim of some sort of honest misunderstanding. Maybe you'll get lucky, and your brush with university administration will be something simple, like a parking violation. No one makes it through entirely unscathed, though. No one.
If you happen to get involved in something more serious than a parking violation, you're going to want help. University judicial processes are notoriously difficult to navigate. The best help out there? The Lento Law Firm.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team was founded to protect student rights, and we take that responsibility seriously. We know what you're up against, and we know how the UT – Dallas judicial process works. Whatever your situation, we're on your side, and we'll fight to get you the best possible outcome.
Before we can do that, 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 Texas - Dallas
If you've been at UT – Dallas for more than a minute, you know just how many policies you're expected to follow. Every instructor has their own set of classroom policies. On the university level, you have to worry about the academic misconduct policy. There are dorm policies and, oh yeah, parking policies.
Your non-academic conduct—your general campus behavior—is governed by the Student Code of Conduct. That may be the most complicated policy of them all. It contains dozens of different rules and regulations, governing everything from what buildings you're allowed to enter to how you should behave yourself when you're online. We don't have time to get into all of that. It's important you know the most serious offense at UT – Dallas, though, if for no other reason than that they bring the most serious consequences.
- Physical Abuse: UT – Dallas bars all types of violence and physical abuse, but the Code goes further, barring all “conduct dangerous to others.” This includes several non-physical categories of harm, like “threats, intimidation, harassment, and coercion.”
- Weapons Possession: Weapons possession on campus is a complex issue in Texas and one that continues to evolve. However, UT – Dallas prohibits all “unauthorized” possession of weapons.
- Hazing: Colleges and universities have begun taking the issue of hazing very seriously in recent years. As with “violence” you don't have to cause someone physical harm to be charged with hazing. It is enough to “endanger” a person's physical or mental health.
- Sexual Misconduct: Such offenses are generally regarded as the most serious a student can commit. They are also regulated by federal law under Title IX. The minimum penalty in these cases is usually suspension, and dismissal is common.
- Drug Use and Possession: Any activity associated with drugs is contrary to UT – Dallas policy, not just use and possession. In fact, the university maintains a separate rule that prohibits possession of drug paraphernalia.
The typical penalties for major offenses like these are suspension or dismissal. Keep in mind, though, that even a warning for a minor offense can cost you big down the line. Any misconduct notation on your transcript is going to raise red flags for scholarship committees, internship HR teams, graduate school coordinators, and even job interviewers. If you're charged with an offense, any offense, it's important you take it seriously. That means getting the best help you can—someone from the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team.
Mounting A Defense to Misconduct Accusations
The UT – Dallas Student Code of Conduct isn't just a list of student obligations and responsibilities. It also contains a list of your rights. Notably, if you've been accused of an offense, you have the right to due process. You're innocent until proven guilty ("not responsible until proven responsible"), and the university needs concrete evidence to prove anything.
Here's what you can expect.
- All disciplinary misconduct issues are under the purview of the Dean of Students at UT – Dallas. The Dean makes the initial decision about whether to issue formal charges in a case, and they coordinate everything that unfolds once charges have been filed.
- The Dean must provide you with notice of any charges against you. Notice should highlight the allegations and apprise you of all your due process rights.
- Among your rights, you are entitled to an advisor. The Lento Law Firm attorney cannot speak on your behalf, but they can speak to you, offering important advice during investigative meetings and judicial hearings.
- The Dean appoints an investigator to pursue the charges. The investigator collects physical evidence and conducts interviews. You have the right to give your side of the story as part of the process.
- Once the investigation is complete, investigators turn over their findings to the Dean. You have a right to review all of this information. The Dean then sets a time and date for a hearing.
- Minor cases are held before appointed Conduct Officers. Major cases appear before a hearing panel. In either case, you get to present evidence of your innocence, including witness testimony. You also have the right to question any evidence being used against you.
- The standard of guilt at UT – Dallas is “preponderance of the evidence.” According to this legal standard, you're guilty if decision-makers are more than fifty percent convinced of your guilt.
- You have one additional right at UT – Dallas: the right to appeal a responsible (guilty) finding. You must have grounds to fill such an appeal, though. Normally, grounds include issues like new evidence to present, an allegation of procedural error, or a disproportionate sanction.
The advice the Lento Law Firm attorney can provide during proceedings can be invaluable, but that's just a small part of what they do. It's their responsibility to prepare all aspects of your case, from uncovering evidence to outlining your hearing presentation. And while they cannot deliver that presentation for you, they can give you practice in making it yourself. Most importantly, they watch everything that happens during both the investigation and hearing to make sure you're treated fairly and get 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.
