When you enroll at a school like the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), you assume your biggest concerns will be making it to class every day, finding time to study, writing papers, and taking exams. Here's the thing: you can fail a class or two, and it won't really affect your status at the university. Commit some form of disciplinary misconduct, though, and your academic career could be in jeopardy.
If you've found yourself charged with a rule violation, you cannot afford to take the situation lightly. You need a plan—a strategy for defending yourself—and you need someone to help you execute that plan.
That's where we come in. The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is dedicated to protecting student rights. Whatever your particular situation, we're on your side and ready to help. We've worked with hundreds of students, defending them from all types of misconduct charges, and we know exactly how UTRGV disciplinary procedures work.
No law firm in the country offers you a better chance of successfully defending yourself. What can we do for you? Call 888-535-3686 to find out, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
The Rules at UTRGV
The UTRGV Handbook of Operating Procedures contains dozens of rules and regulations governing everything from underage drinking to misuse of computer resources. There are rules, though, and then there are rules. Commit one of these five offenses, and you'll almost certainly face suspension or dismissal:
- Health or Safety Violation: Ultimately, this broad category of offense is related in one way or another to every other offense in the Handbook. Simply put, you are prohibited from endangering the health and safety of anyone on campus. Note that you can be charged even for unintentional acts if those acts were committed recklessly.
- ·Weapons Possession: Under Texas state law, you are entitled to carry a concealed handgun and to store it in a vehicle if you are licensed and registered. However, all open carry on campus is prohibited under UTRGV policy, and students with handguns are required to let the university know about them.
- Hazing: You are further barred from endangering others as part of any organization initiation. This extends not just to pledges' physical health but to their psychological and emotional well-being.
- Sexual Misconduct: All colleges and universities are required to abide by Title IX, a federal law prohibiting sexual discrimination and harassment. The law applies broadly to any act that interferes with a woman's right to an education, including stalking, sexual assault, and rape.
- Misuse of Drugs: The Handbook's anti-drug policy is simple but broad enough to cover “use, possession, […] and sale.”
Keep in mind that suspension and dismissal include a transcript notation about your offense. That means if you're found responsible for (guilty of) one of these offenses, you could be heading out onto the job market—and paying back student loans—with no degree.
There's too much at stake to try to handle your defense alone. Even most attorneys aren't prepared to take on a university like UTRGV. Lento Law Firm attorneys are specifically focused on student defense cases, and only we can ensure you're treated fairly and that you get a just result.
Disciplinary Procedures at UTRGV
The good news is that no matter what offense UTRGV charges you with, you're always entitled to due process. That includes a presumption of innocence (“not responsible”) and the right to defend yourself at a formal hearing.
The bad news is, it's not always easy to know how to use your rights effectively, and navigating the UTRGV disciplinary system can be tricky.
- All misconduct complaints at UTRGV are directed to the Dean.
- If you're facing a charge, the Dean must supply you with notice of the charge. That notice must explain the charge, and it must explain several of your due process protections.
- One of your most important rights is the right to an advisor who may be an attorney. This means your Lento Law Firm attorney can work with you throughout your case, helping you answer questions and build your defense.
- The Dean then conducts a full investigation. The university needs evidence to substantiate any charges, or it must dismiss the case. As part of this process, you have the right to give your side of the story and to review any evidence the Dean happens to uncover.
- The Dean has the authority to render a judgment in the case and assign any sanctions as necessary. Note that all decisions must be based on the legal standard "preponderance of the evidence." According to this standard, you are responsible if it seems more likely than not that you committed the offense.
- Should the Dean find you responsible, you have the further right to a hearing before an impartial Hearing Officer. At the hearing, you may offer evidence and call witnesses to testify. You may also raise questions about any evidence being used against you.
- Again, the Hearing Officer must base their decision on the “preponderance of the evidence” standard.
- Finally, you have the right to appeal the Hearing Officer's decision. An appeal is not a chance to reargue your case, though. You must have grounds for an appeal, such as new evidence to present, a record of procedural error in the case, or a complaint about the severity of the sanction.
While you are entitled to an advisor, you must speak for yourself at investigative meetings and at the hearing. Your Lento Law Firm attorney's job is to make sure you're ready to do that. They'll work with you, for example, to uncover fresh evidence, and they'll coach you in how to respond to investigative questions. They'll draft your hearing presentation, suggest questions for witnesses, and even work with you should you need to file an appeal. Along the way, it's their job to make sure UTRGV respects your fundamental due process rights and treats you fairly.
The Lento Law Firm is on Your Side
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.
