All educational institutions have guidelines for student behavioral and academic conduct and procedures that must be followed when there is an accusation of a violation. How this plays out will vary according to a school's philosophy and administrative rules. If you or your student are facing some type of disciplinary action, you should be aware that there may be serious consequences, some of which can wreak havoc on an individual's educational and career goals. Unfortunately, allegations of wrongdoing may be based on inaccurate information, and in some cases, the events surrounding the incident can be subject to varied interpretations. There may also be mitigating circumstances that should be shared with the administration regarding the student's personal life. In order to best protect a student's academic standing and reputation, you should retain an attorney-advisor who has substantial experience handling student educational defense cases. Joseph D. Lento and his student defense team have had many years of successfully helping students resolve academic or behavioral disciplinary charges.
The Lakeland-Winter Haven Area
Lakeland and Winter Haven are known for excellent educational choices, whether it be secondary schools or institutions of higher learning. There is a long list of strong public and private schools in this pleasant region to live in. Where there are high academic standards, however, issues arise around behavior that is mischaracterized as sanctionable conduct. In such situations, it is important to find someone who understands the nuances of student defense and will bring solid experience to the table. This part of Florida may be unfamiliar to many attorneys whose practices are confined to one state or area. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his team have helped students throughout Florida but also nationwide. They will assist throughout any hearing or procedure where there is concern about a student's educational reputation or career.
Schools in the Lakeland-Winter Haven Region
Nationwide education attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his student defense team are available to help students attending the following schools, among many others:
PUBLIC SCHOOLS:
- Auburndale Senior High School
- Bartow Elementary Academy
- Bartow Senior High School
- Berkley Accelerated Middle School
- Berkley Elementary School
- Bok Academy
- Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School
- Chain of Lakes Elementary School
- Edward W. Bok Academy North
- Frank E. Brigham Academy
- Hartridge Academy
- Jewett Middle Academy Magnet School
- Lake Gibson Senior High School
- Lake Wales Senior High School
- Lakeland Montessori Schoolhouse
- Lakeland Senior High School
- Language and Literacy Academy for Learning
- Lawton Chiles Middle Academy
- Lincoln Avenue Academy
- Magnolia Montessori Academy
- McKeel Academy of Technology
- McKeel Elementary Academy
- New Beginnings High School
- Polk Pre-Collegiate Academy
- Polk State College Collegiate High School
- Polk State Lakeland Gateway to College Collegiate Academy
- Ridge Technical Academy
- Ridgeview Global Studies Academy
- South McKeel Academy
- Union Academy
- Winter Haven Senior High School
PRIVATE SCHOOLS:
- All Hope Christian Academy
- All Saints Academy
- Calvary Baptist Church Academy
- Candlelight Christian Academy
- Crossroads School
- Davenport Christian Preparatory School
- Excel Christian Academy
- Geneva Classical Academy
- Grace Lutheran School
- Lakeland Christian School
- Lakeland Crossroads School
- New Direction Academy
- Oasis Christian Academy
- Parkway Christian Academy
- Resurrection Catholic School
- Santa Fe Catholic High School
- St. Joseph Catholic School
- St. Paul Lutheran School
- The Vanguard School
- Victory Christian Academy
- Winter Haven Christian School
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES:
- Florida Southern College
- Florida College
- Florida Polytechnic University
- Polk Community College
- Polk State College
- Southeastern University
- Traviss Technical College
- Warner University
- Webber International University
A Talented Attorney-Advisor Will Make the Difference When Defending Educational Allegations
If you or your student are facing disciplinary procedures, you may realize that the penalties can run the gamut all the way from a “slap on the wrist” to suspension or even expulsion. Where there has been any accusation of academic or behavioral misbehavior, it is critical to stay aware of these potentially harsh consequences. Many years of planning for a particular future career, or work toward a coveted degree, can be ruined by unfounded administrative charges of violating school educational guidelines or codes of behavior. Being asked to leave a school may leave an indelible mark on you or your student's academic record. Academic administrative attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his team are a superior choice, especially when it may be best to avoid using a local criminal attorney—whose approach might be more appropriate in a courtroom than in your school hearing or negotiation. An overly aggressive approach can often worsen the situation.
When Academic Progression Issues Arise
A school is within its rights—and is certainly serving its highest purposes—when it makes and enforces rules regarding time limits and other benchmarks for the completion of academic programs. Satisfactory academic progression (SAP) standards exist in most institutions regarding specific numbers of credits to be accumulated, minimum GPA numbers, and baseline academic coursework. Most people are able to satisfy these requirements, but there are instances where it becomes difficult for certain students to comply. There may have been a death in the student's family, or they may be dealing with illness or other significant unforeseen issues. Also, online learning during Covid interfered with some students' ability to keep up with academic deadlines and created unique challenges which prevented certain students from thriving as they normally would have. Under certain circumstances, these types of situations may allow for the mitigation of penalties.
SAP rules are very important to educational institutions because there are compliance standards for government certification. High School students must achieve state proficiency levels. Colleges and universities have their own requirements for SAP, and these may be tied to students' federal financial aid. For example, Florida Southern College requires:
- 67% of credits taken each semester to be completed.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
- Limitation on repetition of courses.
- SAP calculated once yearly, at the end of the spring semester.
- Higher GPA requirements for specific academic scholarships.
- Students who do not achieve SAP will receive financial aid termination letters.
While such requirements are undoubtedly reasonable, there can be mistakes in their application and other factors which should be incorporated into a student's defense. Busy instructors may have incorrectly transcribed grades, and there may have been computation errors, which can occur at any level of school bureaucracy. When SAP issues threaten you or your student's ability to progress in an educational program, attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his student defense team will help sort out unfair accusations and present the strongest possible case on your behalf.
Title IX
Under federal law, sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination must be absolutely prohibited by educational institutions. Government funding will be withdrawn if a school does not establish and enforce compliance under Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972. The guidelines promulgated by schools pursuant to federal requirements often contain more specific descriptions of offensive behaviors, and Southeastern University lists the following as violations:
- Sexual Harassment
- Sexual Assault
- Dating Violence
- Domestic Violence
- Stalking
- Pregnant & Parenting Students
- Any misconduct where someone is targeted because of sex or gender
Other types of offenses along these same lines— such as sexual blackmail or relationship abuse—may be spelled out within different school behavioral codes. A student found to have violated Title IX prohibitions can be subject to significant penalties. Yet, educational institutions may make mistakes while handling or investigating this type of charge. If you or your student is being accused of Title IX violations, it may be that your institution has not properly researched the events, has been given inaccurate or biased information, or the purported evidence is too weak to support the charge. If you do not provide a compelling refutation of such charges, there can be a miscarriage of justice. Retaining a seasoned education defense attorney-advisor is your best defense against improperly or insufficiently substantiated allegations. Joseph D. Lento and his student defense team can help you stay on track for your future educational and career plans.
Defending Against Accusations of Behavioral Code Violations
Polk County Public Schools Code of Student Conduct is a good example of a comprehensive guide for students. It lists and defines many types of behavior violations, including but not limited to:
- Cheating
- Disruptive Behavior
- Extortion
- Abusive Language or Conduct
- Gambling
- Skipping Class or Tardiness
- Tobacco Use
- Arson
- Assault
- Bullying
- Drug Use
- Indecent Exposure or Conduct
- Theft
- Trespassing
- Vandalism
- Incitement to Violence
- Insubordination
- Hazing
- Interference with the Educational Process
- Firearms, Weapons, and Dangerous Objects
- Reporting False Information
- Leaving Campus Without Permission
- Violation of Rules for Personal Communication Devices
Polk County's Code lays out disciplinary procedures for these infractions, and it addresses suspension, subsequent offenses, stay orders, and due process. Penalties are listed and differentiated according to the student's grade level and other criteria. Most schools, whether public or private, have similar published codes for student behavior.
When defending yourself or your student in such cases, there may be mitigating circumstances that should be made known to the decision-maker. Students' behaviors are often influenced by other life issues such as social problems, dysfunction in the family or home, medical issues, learning disabilities, and a host of others. Also, conduct may be subject to mischaracterization or misunderstanding. The school may not have the resources to properly investigate the incident, and there may have been motivations on the part of witnesses that were separate from telling the truth. A skilled education defense attorney-advisor such as Joseph D. Lento and his Student Defense Team will thoroughly evaluate the evidence and organize your case so that you are best protected from inaccurate testimony and false accusations.
Allegations of Academic Dishonesty
Educational institutions at all levels have procedures for dealing with violations of academic codes. At the lower end of the scale, a student may be subject to censure or grade adjustments, but even this type of punishment can be made a part of the student's academic record. If the accusations are serious enough, a student can face academic probation or expulsion. Florida Polytechnic University includes the following as a non-exclusive list of sanctionable offenses:
- Cheating
- Plagiarism
- Fabrication.
- Multiple Submission
- Facilitating Academic Dishonesty data
- Misuse of Intellectual Property
Their Student Code of Conduct obliges the University community to report offenses and includes a detailed Review Process for academic integrity accusations. There are informal and formal hearings and time limits for various steps of the process.
No one would argue that schools should not reprimand or sanction academic dishonesty. The value of a student's education is upheld by having high academic standards. However, some accusations may be for things that are not specified in the code and catch a student off-guard. Also, errors made by school administrations can end in unjust accusations if the wrong person is charged or when honest and original work is miscast as fraudulent. As discussed above, with respect to other administrative charges, there may be mitigating factors. Students often struggle and lose focus due to personal issues or social or academic pressures.
A wrongful accusation that results in damage to a student's academic record may irrevocably harm their reputation. To prevent a miscarriage of justice, retain an excellent education attorney-advisor such as Joseph D. Lento. He and his student defense team will make sure that the evidence is proper, that all mitigating factors are explained to the administration, and provide you or your student with the best available defense.
Effective Student Defense in Lakeland and Winter Haven
In all varieties and levels of educational institutions, students face difficulties that require help from an experienced advocate. Too often, circumstances have unfairly placed a student in the position of facing daunting penalties, such as being asked to leave an educational program that is very important to them and their family. To help prevent this outcome, a robust defense should begin with a careful evaluation of the evidence and should include all mitigating circumstances. National Academic Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento and his team know how to properly help a student and their family protects against potentially severe consequences. If you or your student face disciplinary procedures that threaten your academic record and your educational standing, your future career plans depend on retaining the best possible representation. Click here, or call 888-535-3686, to immediately discuss your case.
