Every student at Utah Valley University is subject to the school's Code of Student Conduct. It doesn't matter if you're an ace student with a 4.0 and a long record of appearances on the Dean's List. It doesn't matter if you're the athlete responsible for holding the team together. If you don't follow the rules, you're going to face a sanction, and if the rule you've broken is serious enough, that sanction could be suspension or dismissal.
The moment you're charged, then, it's important that you get help. Whether you're entirely innocent or you did make some sort of mistake, you want to make sure you get the best possible resolution to your case. The Lento Law Firm attorney can help make sure you get that.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team was created to protect student rights. We've been around a while, and we've helped hundreds of students defend themselves from all types of disciplinary misconduct allegations. We know how UVU's judicial processes work, and we can show you how to use those processes to your advantage.
What can we do for you? Call 888-535-3686 today to find out, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Standards of Conduct at Utah Valley University
We mentioned the Student Code of Conduct at Utah Valley University. That's where you'll find all the university's rules and regulations. It's a long list, with prohibitions against everything from underage drinking to misuse of computer resources. We recommend familiarizing yourself with the entire list. Here, though, we want to focus on the most serious offenses, the ones that generally carry the most serious penalties.
- Harm to Persons: Of course, school policy forbids all forms of physical violence, whether that violence is intentional or brought about through recklessness. In addition, though, the Code outlaws any action that "endangers the health and safety of any persons," including threats, intimidation, hazing, bullying, cyberbullying, coercion, and retaliation.
- Weapons Possession: Weapons can greatly exacerbate a violent situation. Given the state of Utah's stance on the right to concealed carry, UVU cannot entirely prohibit firearms. However, the university does outlaw any “unauthorized” use of a firearm, ammunition, explosives, and other dangerous weapons.
- Hazing: Hazing is mentioned under “harm to persons,” but it's discussed as its own offense as well. Any initiation activity that endangers a campus community member's physical, mental, or emotional health qualifies as an offense.
- Sexual Misconduct: UVU takes sexual misconduct extremely seriously. In addition, such offenses are prohibited by federal law under Title IX. Title IX requires schools to investigate all credible complaints and it encourages schools to implement harsh penalties.
- Drug Possession: In addition to a general prohibition against possession, use, distribution, and manufacture of illegal drugs, the Code also prohibits the misuse of legal drugs and even the possession of drug-related paraphernalia.
Any Code violation can be serious, especially if it should find its way onto your transcript. These five offenses, though, almost always result in either suspension or dismissal. You simply cannot afford to try and handle a case like this yourself. You need the best help you can get. You need someone from the Lento Law Firm watching out for your interests and protecting your rights.
Mounting A Defense to Misconduct Accusations
No matter how serious an offense you've been charged with, UVU cannot simply slap you with a sanction. The Code also provides you with due process rights. In simple terms, you are innocent until proven guilty (“not responsible until proven responsible”), and the university must go through a process in order to find you guilty of anything. It needs evidence to substantiate charges, but it also must provide you with a formal opportunity to challenge that evidence.
- All disciplinary misconduct cases at UVU are handled by the Student Conduct Office and the Dean of Students. These officials determine which complaints deserve a full investigation.
- Any time you're under investigation, UVU must let you know that by providing you with notice of the charges against you. This notice must explain the allegations, and it must include a list of your due process rights.
- Among your rights, you are entitled to a support person of your choice, someone to accompany you to meetings and hearings. This means the Lento Law Firm attorney can be on hand to offer advice from the moment you're charged.
- Usually, investigators begin by offering respondents (the accused, you) a chance to give your side of the story. You may also offer evidence and suggest potential witnesses. Throughout the investigation, you have the right to review any evidence investigators uncover.
- Ultimately, investigators turn their findings over to the Dean, who sets a time and date for a hearing into the matter.
- At the hearing, you are entitled to present your full case. That means offering arguments, introducing evidence, and calling witnesses to testify. In addition, you may raise questions for anyone testifying against you.
- Cases are heard by a Conduct Administrator. This Administrator applies a legal standard known as "preponderance of the evidence." According to this standard, you are guilty if it seems "more likely than not" that you committed an offense.
- Even if you are found responsible for an offense, you can appeal that outcome. You cannot appeal just because you disagree, though. You must have “grounds” for an appeal, an issue of fairness like a procedural error, previously undiscovered evidence, or a disproportionate sanction.
The Lento Law Firm attorney cannot "represent" you as they would in a criminal trial. They can help you to develop and present your defense, though, from collecting evidence to outlining your hearing presentation. It's their job to make sure you're fully prepared for everything you have to face and, at the same time, to ensure you're treated fairly at every step of the process.
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.
