Preparing your child for a university sexual misconduct hearing in Maryland needs to take place as early as possible in the process. As soon as the college or university notifies the accused student, the respondent that is, of the allegations against him or her, you have to bear in mind the prospect of a hearing.
When the accused student responds to the allegations, it needs to be done as effectively as possible. It can be challenged or will be challenged at a later time. Anything that would support the accused student's version of events would need to be presented to the school at the appropriate time, be it witnesses and witness statements, documentary evidence, expert reports may need to be obtained.
Prior to the hearing itself, an investigation report will be prepared and will be presented to the hearing panel. It will be reviewed by the hearing panel, so prior to the hearing taking place, the hearing panel will have a good understanding of the case. That's why it's critical that the investigation report be as strong as possible.
An opening and closing statement, questions for the witnesses, the complainant, the respondent, applicable cross-examination questions will need to be prepared for purposes of the hearing. There has to be oversight and accountability for the hearing process and hearing panel. An experienced attorney advisor can help you best prepare and defend if your son or daughter is facing a university sexual misconduct hearing in Maryland.
Maryland 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:
- Bowie State University
- Capitol Technology University
- Coppin State University
- Frostburg State University
- Goucher College
- Hood College
- Johns Hopkins University
- Loyola University Maryland
- Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
- Maryland University of Integrative Health
- McDaniel College
- Morgan State University
- Mount St. Mary's University
- Notre Dame of Maryland University
- St. John's College
- St. Mary's College of Maryland
- Salisbury University
- Stevenson University
- Towson University
- United States Naval Academy (exempt from Title IX and the Clery Act)
- University of Baltimore
- University of Maryland, Baltimore
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County
- University of Maryland, College Park
- University of Maryland, Eastern Shore
- University of Maryland, University College
- University of Maryland, Biotechnology Institute
- University of Maryland, Environmental Science
- USM Hagerstown
- Universities at Shady Grove
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (exempt from Title IX and the Clery Act)
It is critical to make certain the college sexual misconduct investigation at your Maryland 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 Maryland 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.