Colleges in New Mexico all have their own code of conduct, which lists the things that are prohibited on campus and the activities that students are not allowed to do. Violating one of these rules can lead to a disciplinary violation which, contrary to popular belief, is not a trivial offense. Especially severe violations can put a serious blemish on your academic record, which can be seen by potential employers after you graduate and make it more difficult for you to find a job and start a career.
Hiring a lawyer to be your advisor if you are being accused of a disciplinary violation can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case and can protect your professional future.
Common and Severe Disciplinary Violations
Because every school in New Mexico has its own code of conduct, the precise rules for each college will be slightly different. Those differences, however, are often in the details. Each university takes action against students who the school thinks committed the following kinds of conduct.
Sexual Misconduct
One of the most severe forms of disciplinary violation that you can be accused of in the state of New Mexico is sexual misconduct. Whether you are accused of stalking, harassing, assaulting, or raping someone else on campus, the ramifications are severe. Worse, they can implicate Title IX, a federal law that guarantees equal access to higher education for people of different genders and orientations, which can pressure your college into taking aggressive action against you.
Academic Misconduct
A major part of a college's code of conduct is the section that deals with academic integrity. This portion often prohibits things like cheating on a test, committing plagiarism, or falsifying official school records. Doing any one of these things can constitute academic misconduct, which can put a huge mark on your academic record if you are found to have violated the rules.
Hazing
Recent incidents from across the country have forced colleges in New Mexico to take action against students, organizations, and fraternities who go too far in their initiation process with new inductees. If an activity excessively demeans initiates or puts them in danger, it can constitute hazing, which can lead to disciplinary procedures against the students who organized the activity.
Drinking Alcohol
Perhaps the most common disciplinary violation in New Mexico colleges is drinking alcohol. Because the legal drinking age in the U.S. is 21, underage students who are caught drinking can face serious repercussions. Even adults who drink on campus – like graduate students over 21 – can face disciplinary procedures in some schools.
Joseph D. Lento: New Mexico's Disciplinary Violation Advisor
If you have been accused of a disciplinary violation in New Mexico, you should seriously consider hiring an attorney to act as your advisor throughout the disciplinary procedure. Successfully defending against the accusation can ensure you move into the professional world on the right foot and keep your academic record clean.
Contact student discipline defense attorney Joseph D. Lento online or by phone at 888-535-3686 to have in him your corner as your advisor.
New Mexico colleges and universities where Joseph D. Lento can help as your or your student's disciplinary violation advisor during investigations, hearings, and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following schools:
- Brown Mackie College Albuquerque
- Central New Mexico Community College
- Clovis Community College
- Computer Career Center
- Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
- Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus
- Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus
- Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture
- ITT Technical Institute Albuquerque
- Luna Community College
- Mesalands Community College
- National American University Albuquerque
- National American University Rio Rancho
- Navajo Technical College
- New Mexico Highlands University
- New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
- New Mexico Junior College
- New Mexico Military Institute
- New Mexico State University Alamogordo
- New Mexico State University Carlsbad
- New Mexico State University Dona Ana
- New Mexico State University Grants
- New Mexico State University Main Campus
- Northern New Mexico College
- San Juan College
- Santa Fe Community College
- Santa Fe University of Art and Design
- Southwest University of Visual Arts Albuquerque
- St John's College
- University of New Mexico Gallup Campus
- University of New Mexico Los Alamos Campus
- University of New Mexico Main Campus
- University of New Mexico Taos Campus
- University of New Mexico Valencia County Campus
- University of Phoenix Albuquerque Campus
- University of the Southwest
- Western New Mexico University
College disciplinary violations can impact an accused student's life if not defended against properly and as early as possible during the disciplinary process, and Joseph D. Lento has a decade of experience passionately fighting for the future of his clients at colleges and universities throughout the nation. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead, prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. Joseph Lento is a licensed attorney in New Jersey and New York, is admitted as an attorney pro hac vice in state and federal court if needed when representing clients nationwide, and serves as a student advisor and educational consultant to students facing disciplinary cases in New Mexico and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact student defense attorney Joseph D. Lento today.
