Preparation for a college sexual misconduct hearing in Alaska will start the moment that an accused student is notified of the allegations against him or her. That being said, if you've gone through the process and now you face the prospect of a hearing, understand that it's not too late. Steps can be taken to address a hearing when the time comes. Prior to the hearing itself, an investigation report will be provided to the hearing panel. Now, the hearing panel itself will be composed of different parties. It could be administrators, it could be students. It will vary depending on the school in question.
That investigation report will be reviewed before the hearing panel commences the hearing. Not immediately beforehand necessarily, but at a time prior. The hearing panel will have a good idea of the case and, for all intents and purposes, could believe what they believe to be the story before the hearing even starts. That's something that's very important to bear in mind. That investigation report needs to be as strong as possible to support an accused party's version of events.
Leading up to that, the accused party needs to present their best foot forward regarding statements to the school. Witnesses would need to be obtained and presented to the school as appropriate to the circumstances, documentary evidence, text messages, phone logs, social media posts, videos of anything that, pictures of anything that could possibly support an accused party's version of events. Expert witnesses, expert reports at times can be submitted for inclusion in the investigation report and for being presented at a hearing.
There are countless steps that need to be taken to prepare a student for a hearing. More fundamentally, preparing an opening statement, closing statement, questions for the complainant, the respondent, cross-examination questions as appropriate to the circumstances, depending on the school.
An experienced attorney advisor will be able to help best protect your interests at a hearing, will be able to help maximize the accused party's rights and will be able to best present what needs to be presented in terms of the necessary defense at a hearing when accused of a sexual misconduct allegation in Alaska.
Alaska colleges and universities where Joseph D. Lento can help as your or your student's college sexual misconduct advisor during investigations, hearings, and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following schools:
- Alaska Bible College
- Alaska Pacific University
- Charter College Anchorage
- Ilisagvik College
- Prince William Sound Community College
- University of Alaska Anchorage
- University of Alaska Fairbanks
- University of Alaska Southeast
It is critical to make certain the college sexual misconduct investigation at your Alaska school is handled properly and that the accused student's interests are protected from as early as possible during the sexual misconduct investigative process. One major reason is because even at colleges and universities where a finding of responsibility for sexual misconduct charges is made at a hearing, the investigation will set the stage for what the hearing panel is provided prior to a hearing (and what the hearing panel will in large part rely on at a hearing), and at schools where the finding of responsibility is made solely through the investigative process, what takes place during the investigation itself will determine whether the accused is found responsible or not responsible for college sexual misconduct charges.
Unfortunately, some students, families, and college employees make the mistake of not taking the necessary precautions as soon as possible when accused of sexual misconduct at college. Some people will mistakenly believe that if they "just explain what happened," their college or university will be fair and impartial and will arrive at the truth. In a perfect world this may be the case, but in a perfect world, sexual misconduct cases would not exist.
Fighting passionately for the future of his clients at universities and colleges throughout the nation for many years, Joseph D. Lento knows how important it is to mount the strongest defense because he understands that an accused's academic and professional future is on the line. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. Joseph Lento is a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania, 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 college sexual misconduct advisor to students and others in academia facing sexual misconduct investigations and Title IX disciplinary cases in Alaska and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National College Sexual Misconduct Attorney Joseph D. Lento today at 888-535-3686 or by completing our online form.