Being accused of misconduct at Penn State University (Penn State) is a big deal. College students may be used to the disciplinary action process in high school, where a few detentions couldn't impact their future. Accusations of misconduct at the university level can result in real-life, long-term consequences. Accusations of misconduct can impact more than your reputation; you could easily be facing actions that impact your ability to graduate, attend graduate school, or pursue a successful career. If you're accused of misconduct at Penn State, the LLF Law Firm can help. Fight for your future with the help of our Student Defense Team; call us today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online.
Academic Misconduct Allegations at Penn State
Penn State is a prestigious school. Keeping up with the rigorous academic standards can feel impossible. Whether you made an error in judgment and committed academic misconduct or the allegations against you are baseless, you can't let them derail your academic journey at Penn State.
Perhaps the most common academic misconduct our Penn State student clients are accused of is plagiarism. This has become a particularly big issue at Penn State since ChatGPT and other AI technologies were released. Other common acts of misconduct we see Penn State students accused of are cheating, misrepresentation, and interfering with the work of others.
Allegations of academic misconduct at Penn State can result in serious consequences such as probation, suspension, and dismissal. Any academic disciplinary action against you can prevent you from graduating from Penn State and transferring to another college or impacting your ability to get accepted to a graduate school.
Penn State doesn't have the most clear policies on academic misconduct. Professors are given a lot of power when it comes to deciding the action that will be taken against you. That's why having guidance from the LLF Law Firm is beneficial. You have the right to push back when you are accused of misconduct. Your LLF Law Firm attorney will assist you in working with Penn State faculty to ensure your rights are protected and consequences minimized.
Title IX Allegations at Penn State
Title IX allegations are those that involve sexual misconduct. Pen State Title IX violations are more than just sexual assault and harassment, which are perhaps the things we think of most frequently when we think of sexual misconduct. Misconduct allegations against you that fall under the Title IX umbrella could be as simple as making jokes or comments of a sexual nature that make other students feel uncomfortable. Other Title IX allegations include domestic violence, stalking, and discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation.
Federal law largely dictates how Penn State and every other college and university in the country handles Title IX cases. If you're accused of a Title IX violation at Penn State, the disciplinary action process is two-pronged: first, there is an investigation, then there will be a hearing on your case. The investigation will begin when Penn State receives a complaint against you. The first action is to assign your case to a Title IX coordinator. They will notify you of the charges against you and explain the investigation and hearing process.
While your Title IX coordinator should be unbiased, it isn't their job to be in your corner. How well or accurately they explain your rights and the process is no guarantee. The only person you can be sure is on your side is your LLF Law Firm attorney. When your entire academic career is on the line, it's crucial you understand every step of the process and how to best defend yourself against these serious allegations.
Title IX is, unfortunately, a hot political topic. This means that changes to Title IX are common. For example, changes have been made to Title IX both during the first Trump administration and the Biden administration. Because of the constant changes to Title IX, it can be difficult to understand your rights. Fortunately, the LLF Law Firm is well-versed in all Title IX changes, allowing our Student Defense Team to enforce your rights throughout a Title IX disciplinary action process.
Code of Conduct Allegations
If you aren't being accused of academic or sexual misconduct, the allegations against you fall under the category of a code of conduct violation. When you started at Penn State, you agreed to follow the standards outlined in Penn State's Student Code of Conduct. This document covers a variety of topics, from underage drinking to bullying, physical violence, theft, and more.
Penn State's Student Code of Conduct outlines a specific disciplinary action process, which is as follows:
- Notice
- Investigation
- Informal Meeting
- Administrative Conference
- Sanctions
When you're accused of a code of conduct violation at Penn State, the university has the burden of proving you are guilty. Fighting for your innocence and future at Penn State can be intimidating, and you shouldn't go in it alone. Your LLF Law Firm attorney will explain your rights and how to defend yourself at each step of the process.
Penn State Disciplinary Action Appeals
If Penn State has taken disciplinary action against you for any type of misconduct, you may be entitled to a disciplinary appeal. Many students don't realize that having a student defense attorney advising them throughout the process is even an option. At the LLF Law Firm, we frequently get involved in cases at the appeals stage. Our Student Defense Team is familiar with the Penn State appeals processes for Title IX and non-Title IX cases. Don't settle for a less-than-ideal outcome in your case; contact the LLF Law Firm today.
Protect Your Future – Retain the LLF Law Firm Today
At the LLF Law Firm, we know you worked incredibly hard to get into Penn State, and being a Penn State student should bring you a sense of pride. Our Student Defense Team understands that we all, especially in our late teens and early 20s, make mistakes. We don't believe that your youthful mistakes should derail your life. Fight for your academic and professional future with the help of the LLF Law Firm. To get started, call us today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online.
