When you raise your children in the Virginia Beach metropolitan area, the region's robust education programs will give your young ones a solid foundation to build their future careers. During their tenure in K-12 schools, institutions of higher education, and other instructive programs, students will be challenged academically, behaviorally, and socially by individual assignments and group projects. However, during these formative years, the trials of adolescence and unforeseen obstacles can derail goal-oriented progress toward graduation.
When students need positive, constructive support to get them back on track, disciplinary boards aren't always empathetic. Unfortunately, administration officials may levy unfair allegations against honest students and place their goal of graduation at risk. The fast-paced grievance processes schools commonly depend on may not consider an individual's extenuating circumstances or even afford them due process. Consequently, knowing that you can retain professional help and ensure your child's path to success is essential.
Student defense advisor Joseph D. Lento has provided trustworthy assistance and representation for countless students of dedicated parents, upholding their child's rights against demanding disciplinary boards. He and his team at the Lento Law Firm recognize the subtleties of school disciplinary regulations and have unbridled compassion for those facing stressful situations. As a parent, act first in defending yourself or your child by contacting Joseph D. Lento immediately. Don't let false, unfair, and unwarranted allegations disrupt your child's education.
Virginia Beach Metropolitan Area
Anchored by the sprawling city of Virginia Beach, Virginia, the metropolitan region is spread across the coastal territory from the southern Chesapeake Bay to North Carolina's Outer Banks, encompassing nearly two million inhabitants. The bustling expanse may entice savvy attorneys with experience arguing before judges and in front of juries in high-stakes cases to advertise that they can grasp the relief your child needs, but that's a common mistaken belief.
Few legal professionals have the finesse to settle a student's misconduct troubles outside formal hearings. Joseph D. Lento and his team at the Lento Law Firm have spent years building relationships with officials in many school's Office of General Counsel (OGC) and those representing them from outside law firms. They understand the nuances of disciplinary proceedings conducted by school administration officials, which are not a court of law, and thus are handled much differently.
He and his team are no strangers to brokering beneficial resolutions on behalf of students, nor are they to defending students in the Virginia Beach metropolitan area and its suburbs. They can provide much-needed disciplinary relief in areas such as:
- Chesapeake
- Elizabeth City
- Hampton
- Kill Devil Hills
- Newport News
- Norfolk
- Portsmouth
- Suffolk
- Williamsburg
Parents can trust that Joseph D. Lento and his student defense team are dedicated advocates for their child's academic future. Whether your elementary school student child faces an out-of-school suspension or you're a doctoral candidate facing remediation, the Lento Law Firm can help you.
Virginia Beach Metropolitan Area Student Concerns
Out of the hundreds of schools, universities, and education programs in the Virginia Beach metropolitan area, each one can present unique situations. Along with providing themselves academically, students encounter hardships relating to classroom behavioral rules, peer relationships, and gaining the trust of instructors and other school staff members. Nevertheless, there may be hindrances to performance of which they are unaware.
Instructors, team coaches, or school officials may have deviating expectations for academic performance or behavior in their particular domains that leave students perplexed on how to focus and remain in good standing with the school. Furthermore, multiple federal funding streams are filling the coffers at K-12 programs and institutions of higher education, and with those come additional rules often buried in complex legal language unapproachable by students and their parents. Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm realize how to address these concerns to keep Virginia Beach metropolitan students out of jeopardy so they can concentrate on their studies.
Virginia Beach Metropolitan Area Schools
Notwithstanding your grade or program level in the Virginia Beach metropolitan area, premier student defense advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm can provide valuable support. Trustworthy representation is offered to students at the following Virginia Beach metropolitan area colleges and universities:
- Christopher Newport University
- College of William & Mary
- Hampton University
- Old Dominion University
- Norfolk State University
Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm's student defense team are on hand to provide a successful defense to students in graduate, professional, religious, technical, military, medical, and specialty programs across the Virginia Beach metropolitan area, including:
- The Apprentice School
- The Art Institute of Virginia Beach
- Atlantic University
- Bethel College and Victory Baptist Bible College and Seminary
- Bryant & Stratton College
- Canaan Theological College & Seminary
- Central Baptist Theological Seminary
- Eastern Virginia Medical School
- ECPI University
- John Leland Center for Theological Studies
- Providence Bible College & Theological Seminary
- Regent University
- Tabernacle Baptist Bible College & Theological Seminary
- Virginia Wesleyan University
Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm's student defense team can also effectively defend students in K-12 programs in city and county public school districts across the Virginia Beach metropolitan area, such as:
- Bayside High School
- Bear Grass Charter School
- Brookwood Elementary School
- Camden County High School
- Camden Early College High School
- Central Elementary School
- Lynnhaven Middle School
- Northside Elementary School
- Northwestern High School
- Ocean Lakes High School
- Princess Anne High School
- Tallwood Elementary School
- Rosemont Elementary School
- Salem High School
- Virginia Beach Middle School
Students in private elementary and secondary schools across the Virginia Beach metropolitan area can also retain the help of student defense advisor Joseph D. Lento and his team at the Lento Law Firm, including those attending:
- Albemarle School
- Cape Henry Collegiate
- Catholic High School
- Chesapeake Bay Academy
- Courthouse Academy
- Gateway Christian School
- Hampton Roads Academy
- Holy Family Day School
- H. L. Trigg Community School
- Ivy League Academy
- New Life Academy
- Norfolk Christian School
- Oaktree Academy
- Old Donation Episcopal Day School
- St. Gregory the Great School
- St. Matthew's School
- Star of the Sea Catholic School
- Victory Christian School
- Virginia Beach Friends School
Disciplinary Defense in the Virginia Beach Metropolitan Area
Schools and educational programs can categorize misconduct slightly differently. Regardless, there are generally three types detailed in a school's code of conduct, honor code, or student handbook, which students are given during matriculation:
- Academic misconduct
- Non-academic misconduct
- Title IX and sexual misconduct
Institutions are under pressure from the public and have obligations to maintain federal funding streams. Schools must keep their reputations clean, and disciplinary boards will swiftly seek out and address allegations. Sanctions can severely harm your child's future, whether it's situations involving cheating and disruptions or research misconduct and violations of quiet hours. No matter the case, you can expect Lento and his team to defend you or your child under any circumstances, including those in the following areas.
Academic Progression Issues
Students must adhere to an institution's academic regulations to be eligible for federal funding, so a school can maintain its accreditation. In light of this, K-12 and higher education programs have strict rules on what constitutes satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and can happen if students fail to meet requirements.
For example, Atlantic University outlines its minimum tolerances for cumulative grade point average (GPA), the number of credit hours taken per semester, and the timeframe for graduation. Primary and secondary schools like those within the conglomeration of Virginia Beach City Public Schools also have requirements for students to progress to the next grade or graduate with a diploma.
Students who fail to achieve minimums risk disciplinary action like probation, suspension, and expulsion. Yet, schools sometimes misappropriate policies and disregard a student's extenuating circumstances. Appealing academic reproach is possible, but students don't have the negotiation tactics and experience to settle with a school's dean, principal, or academic advisor. Joseph D. Lento can represent you or your child or coach them to provide a solid argument to defeat academic discipline.
Academic Misconduct Issues
The cornerstone of any school or educational program is academic integrity. Virginia Wesleyan University, the College of William & Mary, the Norfolk Public School System, and all other schools in the Virginia Beach metropolitan area have codes of conduct prohibiting acts of dishonesty. These include but are not limited to:
- Cheating
- Collusion
- Computer Misuse
- Duplication
- Plagiarism
- Research misconduct
- Unauthorized collaboration
Fraudulence undermines the goal of teaching students and the actualization of knowledge through experience. Schools duly punish those who undermine academic policies, but disciplinary boards may levy excessive sanctions or investigate and charge students based on questionable evidence.
Students responsible for academic misconduct face beginning a fall down a slippery slope toward demise. Considering disciplinary action remains on a student's record, the chance of impediments to gaining admittance into educational programs is much higher. To mitigate the consequences allegations can have on your reputation and future, consult with Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm to defeat unfair academic misconduct charges.
Non-Academic Misconduct Issues
Schools are responsible for maintaining a disciplined, disturbance-free academic and social setting. While more severe infractions involving violence, illegal substances, and the destruction of property lead to immediate suspension or expulsions, any act disrupting the learning atmosphere will garner corrective action from a school's administration.
For example, Christopher Newport University has policies prohibiting certain items and behaviors in all student housing and campus buildings. Students may land themselves in trouble if they:
- Alter dorm room architecture or decorations
- Damage college-owned furniture
- Engage in underage alcohol use
- Have pets in dormitories
- Operate a business in a dorm room or on school property
- Park in unauthorized areas
- Play loud music during quiet hours
- Smoke or vape on campus or at school-sponsored events
- Violate guest policy
Students may be punished at any level for unnecessary disturbances. However, school disciplinary personnel sometimes mischaracterize students for their alleged behaviors. Even when students act unconventionally, they may have a good excuse that nullifies the need for sanctions, or it could be a complete misunderstanding on the part of the complainant.
Nevertheless, behavioral or other non-academic misconduct charges can close the door to continuing education and beginning a career. Retain premier student defense advisor Joseph D. Lento to defend yourself against unfounded misconduct charges.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct
Federal Title IX regulations compel schools accepting federal funding to monitor and manage sex and gender-based discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct. Every school, from elementary to graduate programs, will have a Title IX coordinator overseeing the grievance process and its investigative, hearing, and sanctioning stages.
According to Eastern Virginia Medical School's Title IX policy, the following are also violations:
- Bullying
- Coercion
- Dating violence
- Domestic violence
- Hazing
- Intimidation
- Retaliation
- Stalking
- Solicitation
K-12 schools have Title IX regulations, as well. While they are similar to those at institutions of higher education, the process differs slightly. For example, like all schools in the area, the Chesapeake Public School District will follow guidelines to have optional live hearings, and parents or guardians of the parties are involved in the process. Get assistance from Joseph D. Lento and the student defense team at the Lento Law Firm to have confidence in how to proceed if you or your child is caught up in the Title IX process.
Student Defense Advisor Value Proposition
Novice attorneys predictably start their defense of a student by pressuring them and their parents to give the green light to launch an expensive lawsuit against a school or program. While a formal suit is a potential course of action to keep you or your student child intact with their studies, litigation is seldom required. Courtroom competency fails to translate to an effective defense in school administrative settings.
The goal for students and their supportive parents is prompt, private, negotiated relief from unfair disciplinary action, not enduring legal procedures. Joseph D. Lento has repeatedly dealt with schools' OGC on behalf of the student and resolved matters outside disciplinary hearings to keep a student focused on their studies. Even if you cannot have representation present during the grievance process, the student defense team at the Lento Law Firm can bestow you with the knowledge and methods to defend yourself against severe punishments.
When you hire student defense advisor Joseph D. Lento, you're equipped with the most exemplary school discipline representation. Call 888-535-3686 today, or visit the confidential online consultation form.
