College students in the state of Washington are all aware that their school has a code of conduct. What they are often less aware of, though, is the fact that breaking that code can lead to a disciplinary violation that can saddle your academic record with a blemish severe enough to create a problem, once you graduate. Potential employers with sought-after positions look for reasons to deny job applicants, and a disciplinary violation in college can be just what they are looking for.
Having a lawyer as your advisor if you have been accused of breaking your school's code of conduct can be the best way to ensure that your rights are protected.
Common Disciplinary Violations in Washington
While every college in Washington has its own code of conduct, they all have several sections in common.
Sexual Misconduct
One thing that all colleges in Washington outlaw is sexual misconduct. Whether this comes in the form of rape, sexual assault, harassment, or stalking, an act of sexual misconduct will violate the code of conduct of most universities in the state and lead to disciplinary action. Worse, they can also implicate Title IX, a federal law, which can put pressure on your school to bring the case to a quick conclusion and reach a resolution that favors the person claiming they were victimized. With their federal funding on the line, your college can bow to this pressure and put your rights at risk.
Academic Misconduct
Colleges in Washington also frown upon instances of academic misconduct, as well. Cheating, falsifying official school documents, or plagiarizing ideas from someone else all violate the code of conduct in most schools and carry severe penalties. You can even be expelled for a serious instance of academic misconduct. Even if you are not expelled, though, the blemish on your academic record can be difficult to overcome once you graduate.
Alcohol
Looking at the amount of space dedicated to underage drinking in the codes of conduct in most schools, you would think that colleges were only concerned with alcohol on their campus. However, underage drinking is one of the most common disciplinary violations in the state. Just because so many Washington students have faced disciplinary action for underage drinking, though, does not mean that it is a trivial accusation.
Hazing
Another major concern for most schools in Washington is hazing. Initiation procedures that are especially demeaning or dangerous can lead to disciplinary violations for the people who are behind the event or who participated in it.
Washington Disciplinary Violation Advisor Joseph D. Lento
Joseph D. Lento is a student discipline defense attorney who can serve as your advisor if you have been accused of a disciplinary violation in Washington. Hiring him to advise you through the process can show your school that you are going to take the accusation seriously and will defend your rights and protect your future.
Contact attorney Lento online or by phone at 888-535-3686 to tap into his experience representing students against claims that they violated their school's disciplinary rules.
Washington 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:
- Antioch University Seattle
- Argosy University Seattle
- Bates Technical College
- Bellevue College
- Bellingham Technical College
- Big Bend Community College
- Cascadia Community College
- Central Washington University
- Centralia College
- City University of Seattle
- Clark College
- Clover Park Technical College
- Columbia Basin College
- Cornish College of the Arts
- DeVry University Washington
- DigiPen Institute of Technology
- Eastern Washington University
- Edmonds Community College
- Everest College Bremerton
- Everest College Everett
- Everest College Tacoma
- Everest College Vancouver
- Everett Community College
- Faith Evangelical College & Seminary
- Gonzaga University
- Grays Harbor College
- Green River Community College
- Heritage University
- Highline Community College
- International Academy of Design and Technology Seattle
- ITT Technical Institute Everett
- ITT Technical Institute Seattle
- ITT Technical Institute Spokane Valley
- Lake Washington Institute of Technology
- Lower Columbia College
- Northwest Aviation College
- Northwest College of Art
- Northwest Indian College
- Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building
- Northwest University
- Olympic College
- Pacific Lutheran University
- Peninsula College
- Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom
- Pierce College at Puyallup
- Renton Technical College
- Saint Martin's University
- Seattle Community College Central Campus
- Seattle Community College North Campus
- Seattle Community College South Campus
- Seattle Pacific University
- Seattle University
- Shoreline Community College
- Skagit Valley College
- South Puget Sound Community College
- Spokane Community College
- Spokane Falls Community College
- Tacoma Community College
- The Art Institute of Seattle
- The Evergreen State College
- Trinity Lutheran College
- University of Phoenix Western Washington Campus
- University of Puget Sound
- University of Washington Bothell Campus
- University of Washington Seattle Campus
- University of Washington Tacoma Campus
- Walla Walla Community College
- Walla Walla University
- Washington State University
- Wenatchee Valley College
- Western Washington University
- Whatcom Community College
- Whitman College
- Whitworth University
- Yakima Valley Community College
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 Washington and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact student defense attorney Joseph D. Lento today.
