The future can be bleak for students facing disciplinary action for sexual misconduct on a college or university campus.  A finding of responsibility for sexual assault, sexual harassment, and any other form of sexual misconduct warrants penalties that will have lasting effects on a student, squandering their access to education, notable post-graduate employment opportunities and even exposing them to criminal penalties. Hence, accused students should take allegations of this nature seriously.

If you've been accused, and believe that you've fallen victim to false accusations or exaggerated claims, retaining a student defense attorney is crucial. For the purposes of this article, I'll provide you with the ramifications that you could possibly endure if you don't properly defend yourself.

Harsh Sanctions

The sanctions imposed for a Title IX violation are notoriously harsh, especially if this violation constitutes a form of sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct is considered the most serious violation on school campus and is only met with severe repercussions. Because of a responsible finding, students have experienced being booted from their degree programs, undergoing semester or year-long suspensions, and even expulsion. All of these sanctions have the ability to significantly impair a student's academic and professional career.

Tainted academic record

In light of a finding of responsibility for sexual misconduct, some schools opt to mark this violation and a detailed description of what took place in a student's case on their academic record. A clean academic record alleviates some of the stress that comes with school acceptance, jobs in academia, and other career prospects that evaluate this record for eligibility. A tainted record limits these opportunities by scaring schools off and causing employers to pass student respondents up for more reputable candidates. 

Possible criminal record

Although it is rare, an alleged victim may feel the need to get the authorities involved and initiate a criminal case. Student respondents are then faced with undergoing the Title IX resolution process and a criminal trial for a violation. If convicted, students will undergo severe repercussions that far exceed ones that could ever be imposed by a school. The creation of a criminal record itself is damaging. It limits employment opportunities, denies individuals of certain rights, eradicates government aid eligibility, and more.

As most people are aware, legal penalties for sexual assault are severe. In New Jersey, sexual assault is also a second-degree felony and carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence.  In New Jersey charges can also be "aggravated" depending on the nature of the offense, and if convicted of sexual assault, a person will also have to register as a sex offender.  The majority of states in the nation have criminal laws that resemble New Jersey's sexual assault penalties and sentences.

Title IX Attorney Helping Clients Nationwide

If you've been accused of violating Title IX at your college or university, you need to get in contact with a skilled student defense attorney immediately. Joseph D. Lento has extensive experience helping students in your situation overcome their allegations by helping them build a solid defense. He has the skill, experience, and expertise to help you do the same. If you have questions about your case or want to know more about him or his firm, contact him online or give him a call at 888-535-3686 today.