A Time for Growth, Not Worry
College is a critical time for both intellectual and personal growth for students everywhere. Entering a collegiate academic career often means that for the first time you will be out on your own, with no supervision other than school officials. As a student, you are likely to be met with a plethora of situations that you may have never encountered before, and may not know how to react to. Sometimes, being in the wrong place at the wrong time can end up getting you into trouble. Sometimes, this kind of trouble can jeopardize your academic career. Many schools will meet code violations or prohibited behavior with swift and harsh responses. These can range from loss of housing privileges to expulsion. Your parents or friends may understand you and have sympathy for your situation, but the school's disciplinary panel will most definitely not.
Discipline
Schools across the nation have implemented disciplinary policies to protect the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for the entire student body. These policies are often, to a degree, comparable to the criminal justice system, down to the intimidating and unfriendly nature of an official hearing. Most students who get intro a little trouble with their school have no prior experience in the courtroom or in a formal hearing. Because of this, these environments can seem adversarial and hostile. On top of this, college and university disciplinary proceedings and hearings will often convene just days after the alleged violations, and offer students little to no preparation. If you find yourself being investigated for a violation at your college or university, you may feel as though you are alone in this process; and you may find yourself wishing you had someone in your corner to advocate for your best interests.
An Attorney Can Help
Help from an attorney will make you feel like you have someone willing to hear your side of the story through the disciplinary process. There is no reason to face your college or university's disciplinary process alone. Many times, a university will permit students who are under investigation for a violation to present evidence and witnesses. An experienced attorney can offer valuable guidance as to who could serve as the most effective witnesses and what evidence a student should present during a formal hearing.
Furthermore, there is no reason that a misunderstanding or a mistake should cause your future to suffer. Disciplinary measures taken against you often appear on transcripts and student records. A mark on your record can ruin your chances at a career or graduate education. Having an attorney available to you throughout this process can strongly influence your chances at a favorable result, and potentially spare you and your future from negative consequences.
If you are currently involved in your school's disciplinary process and you feel your future success may be jeopardized as a result of it, don't hesitate! Don't risk expulsion, suspension or grievances on your records! You will want the help of an attorney when it feels like tables are being turned against you. Contact attorney Joseph D. Lento today.
The following links provide information to help address Title IX concerns of students at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional school level:
In addition, the following links provide information regarding other common disciplinary concerns facing students:
