The life of a student is challenging. Part of the educational process is to help students learn, grow, and change as part of becoming successful adults. But these challenges can be difficult, and schools often fail to consider the personal and family struggles that students simultaneously face. Frequently, when students act out, fail to succeed academically, or are unfairly accused of misbehavior, schools may seek to dole out punishments before understanding the whole story. Experienced school discipline defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm understand how serious the consequences of school discipline can be for both students and parents. The experienced student defense team professionals at the Lento Law Firm are highly qualified to help students defend themselves effectively against school disciplinary actions.
The Salt Lake City Metropolitan Area
Salt Lake City, often abbreviated SLC by locals, is one of the most exciting cities in the West. Filled with rich history and surrounded by picturesque mountains, Salt Lake City attracts thousands of visitors and new residents every year. As one of the largest cities in the Great Basin, Salt Lake City is the center of economic, cultural, and educational institutions in Utah. The city is filled with distinct neighborhoods like the Avenues, Yalecrest, Sugar House, Downtown, and Federal Heights, each offering a unique experience and way of life. The Salt Lake City metropolitan area also includes nearby communities like Sandy, South Jordan, South Salt Lake, Herriman, Holladay Midvale, Riverton, and Taylorsville, each with its own charm. No matter what area of Salt Lake City you live in, attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento can help students fight discipline charges. The Lento Law Firm has experience representing students of all levels at educational institutions around the country. It can help students in and around Salt Lake City to defend their rights and reputations.
Salt Lake City Area Student Concerns
While students in Salt Lake City get to attend school against a gorgeous mountain backdrop, they also face unique concerns. Along with the generalized anxiety students have about their grades, their friends, and their teachers, students in Salt Lake City must also contend with large class sizes and limited student spending. Utahns have traditionally had large families, which means there are more students per classroom or grade level and less money to go around. For many years, Utah has had the largest average class sizes in the country.
Large class sizes can affect students negatively. With a larger class, teachers cannot devote as much time and attention to individual students. They may not assign as much homework or as many projects because the grading workload is too heavy. Students can get distracted in larger classrooms, and may have difficulty paying attention. All of these factors can lead to students falling behind academically or getting into trouble and misbehaving. Student defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento understands the problems that overcrowding can cause, and knows how to address the particular concerns of Salt Lake City students with their school administrations.
Salt Lake City Area Schools
If your child is facing discipline at the elementary, middle school, or high school levels, the Lento Law Firm is available to help. Some of the educational institutions where student defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento can help you or your child include:
- Intermountain Christian School
- Rowland Hall-St. Mark's School
- Judge Memorial Catholic High School
- Waterford School
- Reid School
- The McGillis School
- Challenger School
- Mount Vernon Academy
- Carden Memorial School
- Elizabeth Academy
- Eva Carlston Academy
- Realms of Inquiry Private School
In addition to assisting younger students, experienced student defense advisor-attorney Joseph D. Lento can also represent college, university, and graduate students accused of academic dishonesty, behavioral misconduct, or school-related issues or concerns across the Salt Lake City metro area. The Lento Law Firm can help students at universities across the city, including:
- University of Utah
- Westminster College
- Eagle Gate College
- Ensign College
- Utah State University
- Brigham Young University
- Neumont College of Computer Science
Disciplinary Defense in the Salt Lake City Metro Area
Almost all colleges, universities, and private schools in the United States have a code of conduct that students must follow. When students are accused of violating their school's code of conduct, the process for discipline varies depending on the type of offense and each school's policies. For example, the University of Utah provides a flowchart showing how allegations of misconduct move through the university's disciplinary system.
Each school's code of conduct may cover hundreds of types of violations, so it can be difficult for students and parents to know what conduct is prohibited and what is not. Some common types of academic violations include:
- Drinking or drug use
- Hazing
- Cheating
- Plagiarism
- Fighting
- Sexual harassment and assault
In many cases, students who are accused of breaking the code of conduct, honor code, or other school rules will face a disciplinary committee. These committees are usually composed of school administrators, teachers, school board members, or even other students. When facing a school disciplinary board, retaining attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento for advice on how to protect yourself in school disciplinary proceedings is advantageous. The knowledgeable student defense team at the Lento Law Firm can help students and their parents create a plan to present the student's case in the best light possible, and can work with the university or other educational institution to negotiate an agreement or resolution. Some of the areas where the Lento Law Firm can assist include the following:
Academic Progression Issues
To successfully graduate from a school, college, university, or degree program, students must make acceptable progress through their institution's required coursework. If students fail to complete projects, miss classes or exams, or achieve poor grades in their courses, they can be required to complete counseling or tutoring, be put on academic probation, or even dismissed from the school.
While all schools have an interest in making sure their students complete their educational programs successfully, universities, colleges, and private schools may penalize students who fall behind. Often, students fail to meet academic goals for several common reasons. Students may not be getting enough individualized attention in class, or the teaching and coursework may be subpar. Other students may struggle academically because they are dealing with a personal or family issue, such as an illness or death in the family. At the Lento Law Firm, our premier student defense team understands how outside issues can affect students' performance and cause problems with academic progression. Student defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento can work with your student and your student's school to create a plan to get the student back on track academically and prevent the serious long-term consequences that come with academic suspensions and dismissals.
Academic Misconduct Issues in Salt Lake City
Educational institutions of all levels take acts of academic misconduct seriously. Without enforcing rules against cheating and fraud, the reputation and academic integrity of the university or school would suffer, and the school could lose its standing or ranking. As a result, allegations of cheating or dishonesty are punished harshly. Students could be issued a written reprimand that stays in their permanent file or placed on academic probation. In the most serious cases of academic misconduct, a school might dismiss, suspend, or expel the student.
Though schools may have good reason for punishing academic misconduct, the sanctions they dole out may often be too harsh in relation to the behavior. Students may have had a momentary lapse in judgment or may not have realized that they were using unauthorized sources or materials. Some students may have helped a friend in a way that was prohibited, while still others may be the victims of a false allegation. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento can review the circumstances of your case and help you negotiate a resolution that makes sense for all parties. If you have been accused of academic misconduct, don't wait! Get the help you need to defend your reputation by contacting the Lento Law Firm today.
Behavioral Misconduct Issues
Behavioral misconduct issues at schools can range from minor violations of the student handbook to accusations of serious crimes. Universities, colleges, and private high schools often prohibit behavior that would be acceptable off of campus. For instance, college students of legal drinking age could still be punished for having alcohol on a dry campus. Likewise, private K-12 schools might punish students for wearing clothing that violates the school's dress code. While all schools have different regulations for student behavior, most educational institutions generally prohibit things like the destruction of school property, theft, violence and assaults, computer misuse, and trespassing. The majority of schools will also prohibit items like illicit drugs or weapons.
The consequences of student misbehavior depend on what the student is accused of doing. For example, violating college policies in student dorms could cause students to lose their housing. Students could be required to make restitution to pay for any damaged or destroyed property. Behavioral misconduct violations could also result in a notation on a student's permanent record or more severe sanctions like suspension, dismissal, or expulsion. Like any other allegation, students usually have the right to defend themselves against charges. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento is experienced in defending students from behavioral charges in schools throughout Salt Lake City, and can help students work toward an agreeable resolution to misconduct allegations at any educational level.
Title IX Sexual Misconduct Issues
Federal law requires K-12 schools, colleges, and universities that receive funding from the federal government to comply with certain standards and regulations. Title IX of the Education Amendments Act requires schools to address sexual assault and sexual misconduct proactively. Schools must take claims of student sexual misconduct seriously or risk losing all of their federal funding. Title IX requires schools to treat all genders equally and not discriminate on the basis of sex. In practice, these requirements can cover a wide variety of sex- and gender-based offenses, from harassment or offensive remarks to rape and assault.
Title IX cases are serious charges that can have lifelong impacts if proven. Students have the right to an advisor during Title IX investigations and proceedings, and these cases usually go better for students who use this help. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento has represented many students in Title IX proceedings across the country, and has helped them present their best defense. By seeking the help of an advisor, students can prepare their best arguments and avoid causing themselves further issues by accidentally incriminating themselves.
Students accused of Title IX offenses also have the right to appeal an adverse decision if their school finds it against them. A school may grant an appeal if the student is able to show certain things, like new evidence, proof of bias or wrongdoing on the part of school administrators, or that the administration failed to follow property Title IX procedures. The experienced Title IX student defense team at the Lento Law Firm helps students defend themselves in any stage of a Title IX proceeding. If you have been accused of Title IX misconduct, it is imperative to seek help. Students who are found responsible for Title IX offenses are often suspended or expelled from their educational institution. It can be difficult for students who are found responsible for Title IX offenses to ever return to their institution or finish their degree. If you are accused of a Title IX offense, don't risk your education and your future by defending yourself without professional assistance. Contact the Lento Law Firm today and learn more about your rights and obligations under Title IX.
Value of a Salt Lake City School Discipline Defense Advisor
Dealing with an accusation of misconduct or academic dishonesty can be frightening and stressful. Students and their families worry that the charges against them may derail their plans for the future, and often have no idea how to proceed. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento specializes in student defense and can help prepare students in and around Salt Lake City to present their best case. The student discipline defense professionals at the Lento Law Firm will be there every step of the way to help you navigate the complicated waters of school disciplinary committees and can negotiate on your behalf to reach an agreement with your school's administration. If you or your child have been accused of cheating, misconduct, or other misbehavior, schedule an appointment to speak with the Lento Law Firm by calling 888.535.3686 today.
