Preparing your child for a university sexual misconduct hearing in Mississippi needs to take place as early as possible in the process. As soon as the college or university notifies the accused student of the allegations against him or her, you have to bear in mind the prospect of a hearing. When the accused student, the respondent that is, responds to the allegations, it needs to be done as effectively as possible because it will be challenged at a later time during the hearing process. Anything that would support the accused student's version of events needs to be presented to the school with the applicable time.
Witness statements would need to be presented. Documentary evidence would need to be presented. Expert reports may need to be obtained. Prior to the hearing, an investigation report will be prepared and will be presented to the hearing panel. The hearing panel will review that prior to the hearing taking place and they'll have a good understanding of the case before the hearing even takes place. That's why it's critical that the investigation report be as strong as possible. For purposes of the hearing, an opening and closing statement would need to be prepared. Appropriate questions, including possible cross-examination questions for the witnesses, the complainant, the respondent, the witnesses would need to be prepared. There also has to be oversight and accountability for the hearing process and the hearing panel.
An experienced attorney advisor would be your son or daughter's best ally, both in preparing for and defending at a university sexual misconduct hearing.
Mississippi 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:
- Alcorn State University
- Antonelli College Hattiesburg
- Antonelli College Jackson
- Belhaven University
- Blue Cliff College Gulfport
- Blue Mountain College
- Coahoma Community College
- Copiah Lincoln Community College
- Delta State University
- East Central Community College
- East Mississippi Community College
- Hinds Community College
- Holmes Community College
- Itawamba Community College
- ITT Technical Institute Madison
- Jackson State University
- Jones County Junior College
- Meridian Community College
- Miller Motte Technical College Gulfport
- Millsaps College
- Mississippi College
- Mississippi Delta Community College
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
- Mississippi State University
- Mississippi University for Women
- Mississippi Valley State University
- Northeast Mississippi Community College
- Northwest Mississippi Community College
- Pearl River Community College
- Rust College
- Southeastern Baptist College
- Southwest Mississippi Community College
- Tougaloo College
- University of Mississippi
- University of Phoenix Jackson Campus
- University of Southern Mississippi
- Virginia College Biloxi
- William Carey University
It is critical to make certain the college sexual misconduct investigation at your Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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.
