Preparation for a college sexual misconduct hearing in Alabama starts the moment an accused party is notified of the concern from the school. Every step along the way would be in preparation for purposes of a hearing. The unfortunate reality of it is that Alabama colleges and universities are often in a rush to judgment or often not cognizant of an accused party, the respondents that is, their rights and interests through the process. That's why it's incredibly important to make certain that you're mindful of this through the process.
When a hearing were to come, the time for a hearing that is, an investigation report will be provided to the hearing panel prior to the hearing panel even commencing the hearing. The hearing panel would review that investigation report in full and, for all intents and purposes, they could have their minds made up as to what they believe the story to be. Every step along the way leading up to that point is incredibly important.
Obtaining the necessary witnesses to support a accused party's version of events. The accused party, him or herself, would have to present a necessary statement in the appropriate manner or the most effective manner in response to the allegations from the start of the process throughout. Text messages, social media posts, pictures, videos, emails, anything, any kind of documentary evidence that can support an accused party's version of events in response to the allegations would be necessary to be submitted. Expert reports could potentially be obtained at times for submission to the school and inclusion in the investigation report.
Prior to the hearing itself, more fundamentally, an opening statement, a closing statement would need to be prepared. Appropriate questions would need to be prepared for the witnesses, the complainant, the respondent, any, say, supporting witnesses for either side, cross-examination questions, if appropriate and allowed by the given school. You have to understand your school's policies in that regard to see what would be appropriate and what would be allowed.
Having an experienced attorney advisor will help you best maximize the rights that are available to an accused party. Having an experienced attorney advisor through the process from the start will help you best prepare for a hearing when the time comes at a college or university in Alabama.
Alabama 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:
- Alabama A & M University
- Alabama Southern Community College
- Alabama State University
- Amridge University
- Auburn University
- Auburn University at Montgomery
- Bevill State Community College
- Birmingham Southern College
- Bishop State Community College
- Brown Mackie College Birmingham
- Central Alabama Community College
- Chattahoochee Valley Community College
- Columbia Southern University
- Concordia College Selma
- Enterprise State Community College
- Faulkner University
- Fortis College Mobile
- Fortis College Montgomery
- Gadsden State Community College
- George C Wallace State Community College Dothan
- George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville
- George C Wallace State Community College Selma
- H Councill Trenholm State Technical College
- Heritage Christian University
- Herzing University Birmingham
- Huntingdon College
- Huntsville Bible College
- ITT Technical Institute Bessemer
- ITT Technical Institute Madison
- ITT Technical Institute Mobile
- J F Drake State Technical College
- Jacksonville State University
- James H Faulkner State Community College
- Jefferson Davis Community College
- Jefferson State Community College
- John C Calhoun State Community College
- Judson College
- Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus
- Lurleen B Wallace Community College
- Marion Military Institute
- Miles College
- Northeast Alabama Community College
- Northwest Shoals Community College Muscle Shoals
- Oakwood University
- Prince Institute of Professional Studies Inc
- Reid State Technical College
- Remington College Mobile Campus
- Samford University
- Selma University
- Shelton State Community College
- Snead State Community College
- South University Montgomery
- Southeastern Bible College
- Southern Union State Community College
- Spring Hill College
- Stillman College
- Talladega College
- The University of Alabama
- Tri State Institute
- Troy University
- Tuskegee University
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- University of Alabama at Huntsville
- University of Mobile
- University of Montevallo
- University of North Alabama
- University of Phoenix Birmingham Campus
- University of South Alabama
- University of West Alabama
- Virginia College Birmingham
- Virginia College Huntsville
- Virginia College Mobile
- Virginia College Montgomery
It is critical to make certain the college sexual misconduct investigation at your Alabama 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 Alabama 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.
