Out of all the crimes to be accused of, sexual assault is definitely one of the worst. There is an ugly stigma attached to this crime that leads third parties who catch wind of these allegations to automatically assume that the accused is guilty. Of course, anyone who is well informed of how to approach and interact with parties involved in this nature of allegations was taught that victim blaming, or the act of blaming an alleged victim for the perceived crime that occurred is problematic. Doing so could discourage actual victims from coming forward in fear of people not believing them. However, to refrain from victim blaming, there is typically a knee jerk reaction to vehemently blame the other party. Unfortunately, this notion of presumed guilt is prevalent in many settings, including college campuses.
Title IX and Sexual Assault
Federal law has given higher education institutions the task of investigating, reprimanding and aiding in convicting students found guilty of sexual misconduct. Title IX, a federal law aimed at prohibiting such behavior from ensuing on campus, dictates the processes that schools undergo to resolve these issues. Schools aggressively approach these cases for a number of reasons. But none of which are more influential than the loss of federal funding from government agencies that have certain expectations. If schools fail to handle these situations in a fashion that is acceptable in the eyes of the federal government, they have a lot at stake. This is why institutions have the tendency to hastily rush through processes, leaving the accused to suffer the consequences.
The investigation process is one of the most important parts of a school's the Title IX process. This is one of the only opportunities that students will be able to collect evidence, interview witnesses and craft a statement that truly reflect their account of events. When this process is rushed and institutions destroy evidence or make it unavailable to the accused, he or she has been robbed of a fair hearing and a decent shot at defending themselves.
Choosing an Attorney as Your Title IX Advisor
Federal law grants students the option of choosing someone to accompany them through these processes; this person is known as an advisor. An individual who occupies this role is expected to assist students through investigation and grievance processes, as well as be present at the final hearing. With this in mind, students are encouraged to choose someone who will have their best interest in mind every step of the day.
The best option would be to select a lawyer to occupy this role. The experience that they've accumulated through attending numerous trials, interviewing witnesses, and obtaining evidence that is relevant to their case would definitely come in handy for a student accused of sexual assault. Also, hiring a lawyer sends a clear message to the school that is is being monitored by a legal representative that is well-versed in Title IX processes and the school's code of conduct. Any missteps on the behalf of a higher education institution could lead to legal action.
Experienced Maine Title IX Advisor
If you are a college student who has been accused of sexual assault on a Maine college or university campus, you should take these allegations seriously. If found guilty of this offense, all the plans that you had for your academic and professional future will be ruined. In order to achieve the best results, hire a dedicated professional to advise you. Skilled Title IX advisor Joseph D. Lento is here to help. Contact him today.
Maine colleges and universities where Joseph D. Lento can help as your or your student's Title IX advisor during investigations, hearings, and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following schools:
- Bates College
- Bowdoin College
- Central Maine Community College
- Central Maine Medical Center College of Nursing and Health Professions
- Colby College
- College of the Atlantic
- Eastern Maine Community College
- Husson University
- Kaplan University Maine Campus
- Kennebec Valley Community College
- Landing School of Boat Building and Design
- Maine College of Art
- Maine Maritime Academy
- New England School of Communications
- Northern Maine Community College
- Saint Joseph's College of Maine
- Southern Maine Community College
- Thomas College
- Unity College
- University of Maine
- University of Maine at Augusta
- University of Maine at Farmington
- University of Maine at Fort Kent
- University of Maine at Machias
- University of Maine at Presque Isle
- University of New England
- University of Southern Maine
- Washington County Community College
- York County Community College
Title IX violations and Title IX charges can change an accused student's life if not defended against properly and as early as possible during the disciplinary process, and Joseph D. Lento has nearly a decade of experience passionately fighting for the futures of his clients at universities and colleges throughout the nation. 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 and New Jersey, is admitted as an attorney pro hac vice in state and federal court if needed when representing clients nationwide, and serves as a Title IX advisor and educational consultant to students facing disciplinary cases in Maine and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National Title IX attorney Joseph D. Lento today.
