If you're a student at a college or university in Michigan 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, for example, the school will prepare a investigation report. Prior to it being finalized it needs to be responded to as strongly and as effectively as possible. It may have to include text messages, social media posts, pictures, videos, witness statements, a toxicology report if consent is an issue, a forensic evaluation, a polygraph examination.
Once finalized, the report will be presented to the panel so the hearing panel will have a strong sense of the case before the hearing even takes place. For the hearing itself an opening and closing statement would have to be prepared. Questions for all witnesses would have to be prepared. The accuser, the accused, their witnesses, any potential expert witnesses. The panel itself would have to be considered for potential bias and conflict. Pitfalls and potential missteps that may take place during the course of a hearing a party would have to be prepped for. An attorney advisor can help with these steps and can help maximize the prospect of success at a Title IX hearing.
