All colleges and universities need rules and regulations. It's a fact of life. Schools have a responsibility to protect their students, and they need some sort of mechanism for ensuring that everything on campus works smoothly.
Unfortunately, colleges and universities don't always get things right when it comes to enforcing rules and regulations. Just as in the real world, perfectly innocent students sometimes wind up accused of committing offenses. Errors happen during investigations and hearings. Schools impose penalties that far exceed the nature of an offense.
Ultimately, it's never a good idea to challenge a misconduct charge on your own, even if you're entirely innocent. You need someone in your corner, making sure you're treated fairly and that you receive the best possible outcome. You need an attorney from the Lento Law Firm.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team was founded to protect student rights. We know the law, we know how Washington State judicial procedures work, and we're prepared to use every resource at our disposal to salvage your educational future.
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.
The Student Code of Conduct at Washington State University
The Washington State Standards of Conduct for Students is extensive, with rules about everything from who is allowed to drink on campus to what websites you're allowed to visit. Not all prohibitions are created equal, though, and some offenses definitely bring more serious consequences than others. Here are the most serious violations, the ones you need to avoid at all costs.
- Physical Assault: The Standards of Conduct bars striking, kicking, shoving, hitting, punching--all "physical contact," in fact, that occurs without express permission. In addition, the Standards also outlaw the "threat" of physical assault.
- Weapons Possession: WSU outright prohibits carrying, possessing, and using any firearm or other weapon, including pellet guns, longbows, hunting bows, explosives, and dangerous chemicals.
- Hazing: WSU also bans all dangerous activities related to organization initiation. The danger doesn't have to be physical in nature. You can be charged for mental and emotional harm done to others. Nor do you actually have to cause harm. Creating a dangerous situation is enough.
- Sexual Misconduct: Sexually-based offenses are prohibited on college campuses under Title IX, a federal law. This includes everything from verbal harassment to stalking to dating violence. Schools are required to investigate all credible complaints or risk their federal funding. In addition, the government encourages colleges and universities to impose harsh punishments.
- Drug Possession: Finally, WSU bars the use, sale, possession, manufacture, and distribution of illegal drugs. Keep in mind that while marijuana may be legal under state law, it remains illegal at the federal level.
Any violation of the WSU standards can result in sanctions like suspension and dismissal. These five offenses, though, almost always lead to one of those outcomes. You should know that both suspension and dismissal include a transcript notation describing the offenses. A notation like that can keep you from transferring to another school, applying to graduate school, and even securing a job out of college.
There is far too much on the line to challenge WSU alone. The university can be an ally under normal circumstances, but if you've been accused of misconduct, it is now your adversary. You need a Lento Law Firm attorney looking out for your interests and protecting your rights.
The Washington State University Judicial System
No matter how hard you work to avoid a misconduct charge at WSU, you can still wind up accused. We all make mistakes, but you don't even have to make a mistake to find yourself in trouble. Misunderstandings happen all the time. Sometimes, false allegations happen. When they do, you need to know how to protect yourself under WSU's judicial system.
- First, you should know that all misconduct complaints are handled by the Office of Student Affairs. It is this office that must initially decide whether or not your case warrants a formal charge.
- If you have been charged, you have the right to notice of those charges. This notice should explain the allegations so you have a basis upon which to build your defense. In addition, it should outline all the due process rights to which you are entitled.
- One of your several rights is the right to an advisor of your choice. This means that a Lento Law Firm attorney can accompany you to all meetings and hearings and offer advice as you respond to the charges.
- The university doesn't specifically mention an investigation process, but WSU needs evidence to substantiate any charges against you. Thus, it must undertake some type of investigation. You always have the right to give your side of the story and, further, to review any other evidence the university uncovers.
- When the investigation is complete, the university sets a time and date for either an administrative hearing or a full conduct board hearing.
- No matter which type of hearing you face, you have the right to make arguments for your innocence and support them with evidence, including witness testimony. You may also raise questions about any evidence against you, including witness testimony.
- Ultimately, decision-makers must determine whether or not you are responsible for (guilty of) the offense. To do this, they use a legal standard known as "preponderance of the evidence." According to this standard, you are responsible if it seems "more likely than not" that you violated policy.
- Another important right is the right to appeal a responsible verdict. This right is not unlimited, however. You must have grounds for an appeal, such as a procedural error, new evidence to present, or a clearly disproportionate sanction.
In addition to accompanying you to official proceedings, your Lento Law Firm attorney's job is to prepare your entire defense. You can count on them to help you conduct your own investigation and to identify your strongest arguments. They'll draft your hearing presentation, suggest questions for witnesses, and coach you on how to make your points. Most importantly, though, it is your Lento Law Firm attorney's job to ensure you're treated fairly at every point throughout 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.
