You can't afford to take a disciplinary misconduct charge at the University of Utah lightly. These days, colleges and universities take misconduct extremely seriously. Even minor offenses can sometimes result in severe sanctions, and even minor sanctions can have long-term consequences for your academic and professional careers.
If you find yourself accused of violating university policy, it's important you contact the Lento Law Firm immediately. Our Student Defense Team was founded to protect student rights. We understand the stakes in a way other attorneys don't. We're also highly experienced at navigating campus judicial systems. Whatever your situation, we're on your side and ready to use every resource at our disposal to ensure you the best possible resolution to your case.
We've helped hundreds of students fight charges their schools have leveled against them. We can help you to do the same. Call 888-535-3686 to find out what we can do, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Discipline Misconduct Offenses at the University of Utah
What is the real key to avoiding a misconduct charge at the University of Utah? Avoid committing misconduct. That's not always as simple as it sounds. First, you have to know all of the rules and regulations. We recommend at least skimming through the university's list of Student Rights and Responsibilities. You know, in between writing those freshman comp papers and studying for your astronomy midterm. Just to give you a head start, here are the five offenses that can get you into the most trouble.
- Endangering Others: Like any other university or any other community, the University of Utah has an obligation to protect its members. Beyond just outlawing violence, the university bars any act that might do "damage" to others. In addition, you can be charged for threatening or endangering the "health and safety" of anyone on campus.
- Weapons Possession: The University of Utah allows for firearm possession in accordance with state and federal law. However, it bars all illegal weapons from campus, including incendiary devices, explosives, and dangerous chemicals.
- Hazing: The University of Utah takes a zero-tolerance stance toward hazing. Initiation activities that endanger pledges' physical, mental, or emotional well-being are explicitly prohibited.
- Sexual Misconduct: These offenses--including stalking, verbal harassment, dating violence, and sexual harassment--are governed by Title IX, a federal law. The government requires schools to investigate all credible complaints and encourages them to institute harsh penalties.
- Drug Possession: The University of Utah also bars the use, possession, and distribution of any “narcotic, other controlled substance, or drug paraphernalia.”
Any violation of university policy can lead to suspension and dismissal, but these five offenses almost always lead to one of these sanctions. Suspension and expulsion include transcript notations about your offense, and those notations can keep you from transferring to another school, getting into graduate school, and even establishing your career.
There's far too much at stake in any misconduct defense to try and handle things by yourself. Even local attorneys aren't qualified to deal with campus justice. You need someone from the Lento Law Firm, someone who knows the system and who is experienced in representing student clients.
How to Deal with a Misconduct Charge
It's important to know that you have rights as a University of Utah student in addition to responsibilities. No matter what you've been accused of doing, the school must treat you as innocent until it can prove to a "preponderance of the evidence" that you are guilty. You have a number of additional due process rights as well, such as the right to review all evidence in the case and the right to advanced notification of all proceedings.
Here's what you can expect as your case unfolds.
- General misconduct is reported to the Dean of Students. If an allegation concerns university housing, it is handled by the Director of Housing and Residential Education.
- If you've been officially charged, you are entitled to notice of those charges. This notice should describe the specifics of the allegations and explain your due process rights.
- The University of Utah gives you the right to an advisor, someone to help you present your case, and that advisor can be an attorney. Your Lento Law Firm can be at your side from the moment you are charged.
- A Student Accountability Officer is assigned to the case. This Officer conducts the investigation. You have the right to give your side of the situation, to submit evidence, and to suggest witnesses. These Officers also interview any Complainants (alleged victims) and collect all physical evidence associated with the case.
- Accountability Officers decide minor cases using the “preponderance of the evidence standard.” If it seems “more likely than not” that you committed the offense, they are obligated to find you responsible (guilty).
- Major offenses are subject to a full hearing. At such hearings, both sides may present evidence, including witness testimony, and raise questions about the other side's evidence. As with minor cases, the standard of responsibility is the “preponderance of the evidence.”
- Should you lose your hearing, you can appeal that outcome. However, you must have concrete grounds for such an appeal, such as evidence of procedural error, new evidence to present, or an argument about the severity of the sanction.
From the moment you contact the Lento Law Firm, we'll begin working to protect your rights and prepare your case. We'll help you to identify evidence and organize your defense. We'll be beside you to help you through investigative interviews. We'll draft your hearing presentation, suggest questions for witnesses, and coach you on how to make your arguments. Of course, we'll be on hand from start to finish to offer advice and ensure you get the best possible outcome.
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.
