Schools who receive federal education funding are subject to the provisions of Title IX, which outlines standard procedures they must adhere to after receiving allegations of sexual misconduct. Designated staff members are tasked with investigating the evidence, conducting hearings and rendering judgments based on their findings. Those accused of such misconduct may face significant sanctions and penalties. In some cases, the accused party finds the school investigation is haphazard and has minimal regard for their rights. Students do have a right to file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) who may consider reevaluating the matter as an impartial third-party. It is strongly suggested that those seeking to pursue this option consult with a lawyer who regularly practices in this realm. Attorney Joseph D. Lento is one that represents students aggressively in these difficult matters.
Georgia Tech VOICE Initiative
Georgia Tech has been among the most active colleges in the nation for advocacy relating to sexually-based misconduct. They initially obtained a federal Department of Justice grant that launched their VOICE project that developed programs relating to “sexual and relationship violence prevention”. In 2018 VOICE completed presentations to 32 campus groups and all new students view their AlcoholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention presentations.
Title IX Violations in Georgia
Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations contains the formal Title IX provisions. Other similar federal laws relating to civil rights include:
- Title VI: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, and origin
- Section 504: The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibiting discrimination based on disabilities
- Title II: The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
- The Age Discrimination Act of 1975
Initial School Investigation
When allegations are received the school will initiate their investigation and ultimately reach a decision. The accused party then has the option to appeal an unfavorable result. If this appeal is unsuccessful the student then may file a formal OCR complaint, which must be done within a period of 180 days. The OCR may consider complaints beyond this threshold if there is a reasonable justification.
Understanding OCR Complaints
Following a losing appeal, the student should consider consulting with an attorney. OCR complaints are reviewed by the agency and will only be investigated if they believe your complaint has merit. The OCR acts independently in the investigation process in order to protect the rights of all parties.
Advantages of Having an Experienced Lawyer
Pursuing an OCR complaint with assistance from an attorney who is well-versed in the process clearly has advantages. The complaint may be written in the form of a customized letter or completed using a basic template that the OCR provides. Your attorney will have a good understanding of how to draft an effective letter. If the 180-day filing deadline has passed you will want to have your attorney compose a document that suggests you should be granted a waiver to proceed with a complaint.
Lawyer Defends Students in Title IX Violations in Georgia
Joseph D. Lento is an attorney that represents those seeking the best in student discipline defense. The sanctions or penalties from Title IX violations involving sexual harassment or assault can have long-term ramifications for your future. We encourage those across Georgia and throughout the country to call Joseph D. Lento of the Lento Law Firm at (888) 535-3686 or contact him online for the help that is needed.
- Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
- Agnes Scott College
- Albany State University
- Albany Technical College
- Altamaha Technical College
- American InterContinental University Atlanta
- Andrew College
- Argosy University Atlanta
- Armstrong State University
- Athens Technical College
- Atlanta Metropolitan College
- Atlanta Technical College
- Augusta State University
- Augusta Technical College
- Bainbridge College
- Bauder College
- Berry College
- Beulah Heights University
- Brenau University
- Brewton Parker College
- Brown College of Court Reporting
- Brown Mackie College Atlanta
- Carver Bible College
- Central Georgia Technical College
- Chattahoochee Technical College
- Clark Atlanta University
- Clayton State University
- College of Coastal Georgia
- Columbus State University
- Columbus Technical College
- Covenant College
- Dalton State College
- Darton College
- DeVry University Georgia
- East Georgia College
- Emmanuel College
- Emory University
- Everest Institute Norcross
- Fort Valley State University
- Fortis College
- Gainesville State College
- Georgia Christian University
- Georgia College & State University
- Georgia Gwinnett College
- Georgia Highlands College
- Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus
- Georgia Military College Atlanta Campus
- Georgia Military College Augusta Campus
- Georgia Military College Columbus Campus
- Georgia Military College Milledgeville Campus
- Georgia Military College Valdosta Campus
- Georgia Military College Warner Robins Campus
- Georgia Northwestern Technical College
- Georgia Perimeter College
- Georgia Piedmont Technical College
- Georgia Southern University
- Georgia Southwestern State University
- Georgia State University
- Gordon College
- Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service
- Gwinnett College Lilburn
- Gwinnett Technical College
- Herzing University Atlanta
- Interactive College of Technology Chamblee
- ITT Technical Institute Atlanta
- ITT Technical Institute Duluth
- ITT Technical Institute Kennesaw
- Kennesaw State University
- LaGrange College
- Lanier Technical College
- Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Atlanta
- Life University
- Luther Rice University
- Macon State College
- Mercer University
- Middle Georgia College
- Middle Georgia Technical College
- Miller Motte Technical College
- Miller Motte Technical College Columbus
- Miller Motte Technical College Macon
- Morehouse College
- Moultrie Technical College
- North Georgia College & State University
- North Georgia Technical College
- Oconee Fall Line Technical College
- Ogeechee Technical College
- Oglethorpe University
- Okefenokee Technical College
- Paine College
- Piedmont College
- Point University
- Reinhardt University
- Sanford Brown College Atlanta
- Savannah College of Art and Design
- Savannah State University
- Savannah Technical College
- Shorter University
- Shorter University College of Adult & Professional Programs
- South Georgia College
- South Georgia Technical College
- South University Savannah
- South University Savannah Online
- Southeastern Technical College
- Southern Crescent Technical College
- Southern Polytechnic State University
- Southwest Georgia Technical College
- Spelman College
- The Art Institute of Atlanta
- Thomas University
- Toccoa Falls College
- Truett McConnell College
- University of Georgia
- University of Phoenix Atlanta Campus
- University of Phoenix Augusta Campus
- University of Phoenix Columbus Georgia Campus
- University of Phoenix Savannah Campus
- University of West Georgia
- Valdosta State University
- Virginia College
- Virginia College Augusta
- Waycross College
- Wesleyan College
- West Georgia Technical College
- Westwood College Atlanta Midtown
- Westwood College Northlake
- Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
- Young Harris College
Students and parents at times do not realize until after a finding of responsibility and the imposition of adverse sanctions that sexual misconduct allegations at college can result in severe consequences academically and professionally and in the short and long-term. The earlier the necessary steps are taken to address a Title IX case, the better, because these are cases that can be won at the school-level. There are times, however, that the help of the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights (DOE-OCR) is needed and Joseph D. Lento has a decade of experience passionately fighting for the futures of his clients at colleges and universities throughout the nation and has helped many clients seek recourse with the DOE-OCR. 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, who helps students in Georgia with DOE-OCR Title IX complaints, is admitted as an attorney pro hac vice in state and federal court if needed when representing clients nationwide, and serves as a Title IX advisor to students facing disciplinary cases in Georgia and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National Title IX attorney Joseph D. Lento today.
