It probably won't surprise you to learn that John Jay College (JJ) offers students accused of misconduct the opportunity to defend themselves. That whole “criminal justice” thing, right?
Having the right to defend yourself isn't the same as knowing how to go about it, though. And while you may be an authority in local, state, and federal justice systems, a college judicial system can be quite different. In fact, a lot of lawyers get lost trying to defend students from school charges.
The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm aren't just any lawyers, though. Our Student Defense Team was founded to...well, defend students. And we're very good at it. Maybe it's because we focus on education law. Maybe it's because we've taken the time to learn how JJ's administrative and judicial systems operate. Maybe it's because we've had the experience of representing hundreds of students over the years. The bottom line is that we're always on your side, and we'll fight as hard as possible to make sure you're treated fairly and that you get the best possible resolution to your case.
To find out more, call 888-535-3686, or take a few minutes right now and fill out an online form.
Reasons for Dismissal from CUNY John Jay College
You study criminal justice, so you know that any strong defense starts with understanding the charges against you. So, what is it that can get you dismissed from JJ?
- Academic Deficiencies: No surprise here. You came to JJ to study, and the college will hold you to that. You're not going to be kicked out the first time you fail a class. A GPA below 2.0 can get you put on probation, though, and from there, it's just a short hop, jump, and skip to outright dismissal.
- Academic Misconduct: Some students get so panicked over JJ's academic standing policy that they resort to dishonest means to complete their coursework. The thing is, cheating, plagiarism, and other types of academic misconduct can get you into just as much trouble as a low GPA. You may not be dismissed for a single infraction, but multiple infractions can certainly do it.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Your conduct outside of the class is just as important as your conduct in it, if not more so. John Jay College's Community Standards and Conduct Policies are extensive and cover everything from simple theft to campus violence. Any violation can lead to dismissal, even a first offense, if it is serious enough.
- Sexual Misconduct: These are among the most serious offenses a college student can be accused of committing. As a result, the majority of students found Responsible (guilty) wind up dismissed. It is worth knowing as well that JJ's sexual misconduct policy is required by federal law to follow Title IX guidelines on sexual discrimination and harassment.
Misconduct Defenses
Again, as you might expect, the John Jay College of Criminal Justice has a solid reputation for treating students fairly. The school's judicial processes contain many due process protections for students accused of misconduct.
Here's a rough outline of what you can expect.
- Most cases begin with a complaint. Complaints can be lodged with either the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct or, in the case of Title IX allegations, the Title IX Coordinator's office.
- If you're formally charged, the college must provide you with notice of the charges. This notice should explain the allegations and apprise you of all your due process rights.
- John Jay College is relatively unique in that it allows you to hire legal representation to deal with misconduct charges. That means the Lento Law Firm attorney can speak on your behalf from the moment you are accused to your very last appeal. This is a powerful right, but it's important you use it to your best advantage. That means hiring the Lento Law Firm attorney to handle your case.
- Once you've received notice of the charges, JJ opens an investigation. Throughout this investigation, you have the right to give your side of the story and to review all evidence in the case. Of course, the Complainant (your alleged victim or accuser) has these same rights.
- Once investigators have completed their work, they submit their findings back to the college. The college then sets a time and date for a hearing and appoints decision-makers to preside over this part of the process.
- Both sides get to make their cases at the hearing. You may introduce evidence and call witnesses to testify. You may also cross-examine witnesses against you. And remember, you have a significant advantage as a JJ student since you can hire the Lento Law Firm attorney to represent you during all phases of the hearing.
- JJ uses the legal standard "preponderance of the evidence" to decide all misconduct cases. In simple terms, you are Responsible (guilty) if decision-makers believe it is "more likely than not" that you committed the offense.
- You can appeal the hearing outcome should you lose (in some cases, the Complainant may be able to appeal should you win). However, you cannot appeal just because you disagree with the outcome. There are only two grounds for appeal at JJ: the discovery of new evidence or an allegation of procedural error.
While this outline applies to all misconduct cases, every case is unique. For example, if you've been charged with Title IX sexual misconduct, you should know that the law gives you the right to cross-examine your accuser. They have the right to cross-examine you as well. As you can imagine, differences like these can play an enormous role in how you prepare your case. This is another reason why a college misconduct charge can be so difficult to defend.
Luckily, all the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm are well-versed in all of John Jay College's judicial procedures. We'll prepare you for your case, we'll represent you in all matters, and we'll use all of you rights to your best advantage.
Academic Dismissals
Academic dismissals are very different matters from misconduct dismissals. The "evidence" of your academic deficiencies is your grades and your GPA, and that isn't normally in question. As a result, there's no investigation and no hearing in these cases.
If you want to avoid academic dismissal, you need some informal options. As it turns out, the Lento Law Firm knows all the tips and tricks for keeping your grades up. For example,
- Extenuating circumstances can be grounds for more time to improve. If you've suffered from a serious illness during the semester, for instance, or had to deal with a family emergency, you can appeal directly to the college dean.
- If you consistently struggle in your classes, you may very well have an undiagnosed learning disability. Such a disability can entitle you to course accommodations like extra time to complete assignments or access to special technology on exams. The Lento Law Firm attorney can also petition the college to let you retake courses for replacement grades.
- One of the simplest ways to improve your grades is to ask for extra credit or makeup assignments, especially if your grades are borderline. The Lento Law Firm attorney can coach you on how to approach a professor and what to say to convince them to give you a second chance.
Fighting for Your Future
By this point, it should be abundantly clear why trying to defend yourself from dismissal is always a dangerous proposition. It's no easy task taking on a university, and the stakes are incredibly high. Luckily, you don't have to go it alone. The Lento Law Firm was built to help students. Our Student Defense Team can also be fierce when it comes to protecting our clients, and we're not afraid of faculty and administrators.
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.
