College students are supposed to make mistakes. That’s what learning is all about. Think about it: you’re on your own for the first time, figuring out who you want to be, defining your identity. That’s a messy process. Unfortunately, if you make the wrong mistake, you can find yourself heading home.

Or maybe you didn’t actually make a mistake. Maybe you’re the victim of a misunderstanding or a false allegation. That happens, too.

Whatever your situation, the attorneys at the LLF National Law Firm want to make sure that a disciplinary misconduct charge doesn’t stand in the way of earning your degree and going on to a successful career.

Our Student Defense Team was founded to protect student rights. We know everything there is to know about Western Michigan’s disciplinary processes and procedures. We also have the experience of having helped hundreds of students defend themselves from all types of charges. You can count on us to use every resource at our disposal to ensure you get the best possible resolution to your case.

If you’re in trouble at Western Michigan University, don’t wait to see what might happen. Call 888-535-3686 today to find out how the LLF National Law Firm can help, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.

The Western Michigan University Code of Student Accountability

There’s a long list of offenses you have to avoid at WMU—everything from “fire equipment misuse” to the “unauthorized use of another person’s cell phone.” That’s one of the reasons staying out of trouble can be so hard. You’ll find all these various offenses described in the university’s “Student Rights and Responsibilities” document.

There are offenses, though, and then there are offenses—violations that can earn you sanctions like suspension and even dismissal.

  • Harm to Persons: You can be charged for causing actual physical harm to another person on campus, and you can be charged for threatening physical harm. In addition, the university prohibits all types of bullying, including “physical bullying,” “gesture bullying,” and “social bullying.”
  • Weapons Possession: WMU’s ban on weapons use and possession applies to firearms, BB guns, “edged” weapons, martial arts devices, tasers, and any other object used with the intention of causing harm to another person.
  • Hazing: The university also prohibits any action performed in relation to organization initiation that could cause a person physical, mental, or emotional harm.
  • Sexual Misconduct: Title IX, a federal statute, bars all forms of sexual discrimination and harassment on college campuses, including stalking, dating violence, and rape.
  • Substance Abuse: WMU prohibits the use, possession, exchange, manufacture, and distribution of illegal drugs. Keep in mind that, while medical marijuana is now legal in Michigan, it remains illegal under federal law.

Violate any one of these five university policies, even a single time, and it could have severe long-term consequences, both for your academic career and your professional future. Obviously, dismissal means leaving school without a degree, and you can’t just transfer your way out of the problem. Your transcript will forever carry a record of your misconduct. Even a suspension, though, includes a transcript notation. That means even if you manage to graduate, you’ll still have to explain your offense to potential employers.

Any time you’re charged with an offense, you must take it seriously. Part of taking it seriously means retaining the best legal help you can. The LLF National Law Firm is the premier firm in the country when it comes to defending students. No one has more experience taking on colleges and universities. No one will work harder to ensure your future remains bright.

Defending Yourself From Charges

The good news is that WMU can’t just charge you with an offense and impose a sanction. Just as in the criminal justice system, you have rights any time you’re facing a misconduct allegation. As a starting point, you have the right to due process—the presumption of innocence (“non-responsibility”) and the opportunity to respond to charges at a formal hearing.

Here’s how the process works.

  • The Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities has jurisdiction over all disciplinary misconduct complaints. Once this office receives such a complaint, it must decide whether or not charges are warranted. Just because someone dislikes something you’ve done doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily face an investigation.
  • If the university does decide to investigate you, it will issue you written notice of the charges against you. This notice should explain the allegations, and it should apprise you of all your due process rights.
  • As part of any investigation, you have the right to provide your version of events. In addition, the university must allow you to review any evidence it uncovers in the case.
  • Once the investigation is complete, the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities sets a time and date for a hearing before one of the university’s several hearing boards.
  • At the hearing, both sides offer evidence, including witness testimony. You may also raise questions for anyone testifying against you.
  • Decision-makers in the case employ the “preponderance of the evidence” legal standard. In other words, they must find you responsible (guilty) if they believe it is “more likely than not” that you committed the offense.
  • Student policy also provides you with the right to appeal a “responsible” verdict. However, you must have grounds to do so. That could be evidence of a procedural error, the discovery of new material that could alter the case outcome, or a complaint about the severity of the sanction.

A university hearing isn’t a criminal trial. One of the key differences is that you must speak for yourself. However, your LLF National Law Firm attorney can prepare you to do that. From helping you uncover evidence to drafting your hearing presentation, we’ll guide you through the entire investigation and make sure WMU treats you fairly.

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 LLF National 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 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 LLF National Law Firm today at 888-535-3686, or fill out our online questionnaire.

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