You're on the fast track to success. You're not just a premed student; you're a premed student at Johns Hopkins University, a school that houses one of the most prestigious medical schools in the world. And you're just one step away. You've worked hard to get here. You're in class every day, you've got your head in a book the rest of the time, and you've spent hours studying for the MCAT.
It only takes one mistake, though, to ruin all that hard work. In fact, you don't even actually have to make a mistake. Misunderstandings happen all the time. False allegations happen. And once you've been accused, you can expect a school like Johns Hopkins to be zealous in conducting its investigation and severe in issuing sanctions.
You can't afford to take chances with your future. You have too much at stake. At the first sign of trouble, it's vital that you contact the Lento Law Firm. Our Student Defense Team is committed to protecting student rights and to getting students like you fair and just resolutions. We know how hard you work, and we believe you deserve representation that works just as hard.
What can we do for you? Call 888-535-3686 to find out, or take a few minutes right now and tell us a little about your situation.
Misconduct at Johns Hopkins University
Let's start with the basics: just what is it at Johns Hopkins that can get you into trouble? Knowing the rules can keep you out of trouble in the first place. It can also be crucial in building your defense. You can't hope to demonstrate your innocence unless you understand exactly what you've been accused of doing.
At Johns Hopkins, there are three categories of offense.
- Academic Misconduct: A university with a reputation like Johns Hopkins has to keep a close eye on academic integrity. School policy specifically prohibits things like cheating and plagiarism. Any hint of classroom dishonesty of any kind can lead to charges.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Outside of class, your behavior is governed by the university's Student Conduct Code. That policy deals with issues like underage drinking, hazing, weapons possession, and trespassing.
- Sexual Misconduct: Perhaps the most serious charge you can face at Johns Hopkins, though, is a charge of sexual misconduct. University policy is actually dictated by federal law, under Title IX. Schools are required to conduct thorough investigations of all credible complaints and to institute serious sanctions. Typically, students found responsible for sexually-based offenses face suspension at minimum.
Whatever the charges against you, you simply must take them seriously. When it comes to med school applications, there are no minor offenses. There are no “light” punishments. Any black mark on your transcript could cost you your opportunity to become a doctor.
Misconduct Procedures
An allegation of misconduct is not the same as a Responsible (guilty) finding. You have the right to an investigation and to defend yourself at a hearing, and with the proper support, you can prove your innocence or, if necessary, provide a reasonable explanation for your actions.
In general, here's how cases proceed.
- An accusation can arise from virtually anywhere—from instructors, administrators, staff, and other students. As the accused, you're referred to as the “Respondent.” Your accuser or alleged victim is referred to as the “Complainant.”
- If you're under investigation, you're entitled to a Notice of the Charges. That Notice should include information on the allegation and the name of the Complainant. That information can be crucial to building your defense.
- You have several due process rights meant to protect you throughout the investigation and adjudication processes. For example, you are entitled to a presumption of “Not Responsible,” you are entitled to review all evidence in the case, and you are entitled to advanced notification of all meetings and proceedings.
- The university will conduct some investigation into the allegations. Even if you're simply being accused of academic misconduct, your instructor must gather material to support their charge. As part of the process, you should have the opportunity to provide your side of the story, to provide evidence, and to suggest witnesses who may be able to help prove your innocence.
- Further, you are entitled to a hearing. This could be an administrative hearing before a single decision-maker, or it could be something more formal involving the university's Conduct Board.
- As part of the hearing, you're allowed to introduce evidence, to call witnesses to testify, and to raise questions for any witnesses against you.
- The standard of evidence at Johns Hopkins University is “preponderance of the evidence” rather than “beyond a reasonable doubt.” In simple terms, decision-makers must find you guilty if they believe it is “more likely than not” that you committed an offense.
- Finally, you always have the right to appeal your hearing outcome. However, appeals must be filed within five days of the hearing conclusion, and you must have specific grounds for your appeal:
- A procedural error that might have affected the outcome
- New evidence that could have some bearing on the case
- Disproportionate sanction
This general outline holds for all cases, but different charges are handled by different university offices, and procedures can differ as well, in small but significant ways. For example, in Title IX sexual misconduct cases, Complainants and Respondents are allowed to cross-examine one another. That means when you're preparing for one of these cases, you need some practice in answering tough questions.
The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm are familiar with all of the judicial processes at Johns Hopkins. Whatever the charges against you, you can count on us to get you prepared and to help you use procedures to your best advantage. The university prohibits attorneys from accompanying students to investigative meetings and hearings, but it's always in your best interest to consult with a Lento Law Firm attorney as you're going through your case. We can do everything from draft documents to coaching you on how to present your arguments.
Fighting for Your Future
Fighting a misconduct charge is never an easy proposition for anyone. As a pre-med student, though, you face special challenges. Beyond the complexities of the Johns Hopkins University judicial system, you have to worry about whether sanctions are recorded in your record. You have to worry about who might find out about the allegations and whether those allegations might interfere with recommendation letters, even if they're proven false. You have to keep a close watch on social media and make sure your reputation doesn't suffer online. It's an enormous amount of work to have to deal with on your own.
That's why the minute you suspect you might be in trouble, it's vital that you contact the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team. We can negotiate with faculty and administrators if that's what's called for, but we can also be fierce in defending our clients.
Let us help you fight for your academic future. To find out more, contact the firm today at 888-535-3686. Or, fill out our online questionnaire.
