If you're a student at a college or university in Maryland and you're facing a Title IX hearing, it's critical to take the necessary steps well in advance of the hearing itself. Prior to the hearing, the school prepare an investigation report. In that investigation report, it needs to be responded to as effectively and as strongly as possible prior to the hearing itself. It may include text messages, social media posts, witness statements, photographs, videos, a toxicology report, a forensic evaluation, a polygraph examination. That report once finalized is presented to the panel and reviewed in advance of the hearing so the panel has a strong sense of the case before it even takes place.
At the hearing, an opening and closing statement would need to be prepared in advance. Questions for all witnesses, the accuser, the accuser's witnesses, the accused, the accused witnesses, potential expert witnesses. The hearing panel itself would have to be considered for potential bias or conflict of interest. A party would have to be prepared to be on the lookout for any potential pitfalls or missteps that could take place during the course of the hearing. Many steps have to take place to ensure the prospect of a favorable Title IX hearing.
