High school is a time for your child to grow, to make friends, and to garner new experiences. Among those experiences should be many things, but not a Title IX or sexual misconduct case. You've sent your child to a Montana high school in the hopes that they'll work towards a bright future.
An unfair and unwarranted Title IX allegation can ruin your child's future before it has a chance to start.
If your family faces sexual misconduct accusations, it's time to get proactive. Your school may not have your student's best interests at heart, which means that your student's future may rely upon your action now.
Sexual Misconduct in Montana High Schools
Title IX and sexual misconduct cases can easily feel far removed from your family. You may hope that your Montana high school is too small or rural to have these types of cases.
No school is too small for sexual assault. A quick scroll through local news stories suggests that sexual misconduct can happen anywhere. According to one local news source, one Montana high school student faced felony charges after an alleged assault of a middle school student in their school's locker room.
In another case, a 15-year-old boy stood accused of misdemeanor sexual assault after an alleged hazing incident that occurred on a bus to a football event. The news story reported that his high school officials were “seeking to expel” the boy based on these allegations.
In the absence of hard evidence that a crime has taken place, schools and school officials will often side with the accuser. Legislation, including Title IX, has placed strong incentives on public high schools to act swiftly whenever an incident of sexual misconduct takes place.
However, just because your school must act quickly to investigate sexual misconduct does not mean that it has the resources to do so fairly.
To avoid undue punishments for your child, it is vital that you reach out to legal aid as early in your child's case as possible. An experienced Title IX and code of conduct advisor may be able to guide your case to a more favorable outcome.
Your Student's Future: What's at Stake?
Your specific school district must write and maintain a student code of conduct. You can find your school's grievance process and expected consequences in that document. Just because your school documents a process does not mean that your school will follow it to the letter. Many schools have documented nondiscrimination policies, for example, but the ACLU of Montana notes that minority students receive far higher rates of steep punishments.
This Montana high school's posted code of conduct simply notes that school administrators have the right to “impose or recommend” the level of discipline your school metes out on your student. The handbook goes on to list the types of potential punishments, which include detention, suspensions, losses of privileges, expulsion, and referral to external law enforcement.
This seems vague. It also places a lot of power in the hands of potentially biased school administrators. If you're worried that your school may steamroll over your student's rights, you need to act quickly. Working with a seasoned legal advisor may present your child's best chance of avoiding unwarranted consequences for unfair sexual misconduct accusations.
Keeping Your Montana High School Accountable
Under Title IX and related laws, your child has specific rights that your school must observe. For example, your Montana high school must act under a presumption of innocence for your child and must issue your child a written notification of that fact.
If you're able to secure legal aid, your advisor will be able to help you ensure that your school does not infringe upon your student's rights. Your advisor will also be able to help you analyze your school's grievance processes and discipline processes. If you feel overwhelmed, your advisor may be able to assist with taking the pressure off you.
The Montana Office of Public Instruction has a checklist of events that must occur for a sexual misconduct proceeding to be fully compliant with Title IX. If your school has not completed any of the following items, make sure to discuss them with your advisor:
- Your school must provide full, accurate documentation of all Title IX procedures. Your school must also have these documents available for all students and families, so everyone in the academic community can reference them at any time.
- Your school must treat all complaints equally. Before an investigation, your school must not make any assumptions as to which student is innocent or guilty.
- Your student must be able to submit any testimony or evidence they choose. During the investigation, your student must also have the chance to submit any questions in writing.
- After your school's investigation is complete, your school must notify all parties in writing, at the same time.
- After the investigation, your student must have recourse to appeal the decision.
If your school rushes past any of these steps, your legal advisor may be able to guide you to appropriate action. Your student deserves a fair hearing. Otherwise, your student may face life-altering and unfair punitive measures.
Joseph D. Lento has experience handling cases of sexual misconduct nationwide. He will work tirelessly to ensure that your school treats your student fairly.
Joseph D. Lento is Ready to Help Fight for Your Child's Rights
When your child faces a Title IX or sexual misconduct case, you need expertise on your side. Joseph D. Lento is ready to provide empathetic and efficient assistance throughout your child's upcoming student discipline processes. For both cases that are facing adjudication through the investigative process or via a formal hearing, Joseph D. Lento will be there to assist. For years, throughout Montana and the rest of the nation, Joseph D. Lento has handled hundreds of student misconduct cases under Title IX and similar laws. He will do the same for you to ensure your case reaches a successful resolution. Call the Lento Law firm immediately. We are available at 888-535-3686. Alternatively, you can contact us by filling out our online form.
Montana high schools where Joseph D. Lento can help as your child's student's Title IX advisor during investigations, hearings and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following school districts:
A
- Absarokee Elementary
- Absarokee High School
- Alberton K-12 Schools
- Alder Elementary
- Alzada Elementary
- Amsterdam Elementary
- Anaconda Elementary
- Anaconda High School
- Anderson Elementary
- Arlee Elementary
- Arlee High School
- Arrowhead Elementary
- Ayers Elementary
B
- Bainville K-12 Schools
- Baker K-12 Schools
- Basin Elementary
- Bear Paw Elementary
- Beaverhead County High School
- Belfry K-12 Schools
- Belgrade Elementary
- Belgrade High School
- Belt Elementary
- Belt High School
- Benton Lake Elementary
- Biddle Elementary
- Big Dry Creek Elementary
- Big Sandy Elementary
- Big Sandy High School
- Big Timber Elementary
- Bigfork Elementary
- Bigfork High School
- Billings Elementary
- Billings High School
- Birney Elementary
- Bloomfield Elementary
- Blue Creek Elementary
- Bonner Elementary
- Boulder Elementary
- Box Elder Elementary
- Box Elder High School
- Boyd Elementary
- Bozeman Elementary
- Bozeman High School
- Bridger K-12 Schools
- Broadus Elementary
- Broadview Elementary
- Broadview High School
- Brockton Elementary
- Brockton High School
- Brorson Elementary
- Browning Elementary
- Browning High School
- Butte Elementary
- Butte High School
- Bynum Elementary
C
- Camas Prairie Elementary
- Canyon Creek Elementary
- Cardwell Elementary
- Carter County High School
- Carter Elementary
- Cascade Elementary
- Cascade High School
- Cayuse Prairie Elementary
- Centerville High School
- Charlo Elementary
- Charlo High School
- Chester-Joplin-Inverness Elementary
- Chester-Joplin-Inverness High School
- Chinook Elementary
- Chinook High School
- Choteau Elementary
- Choteau High School
- Circle Elementary
- Circle High School
- Clancy Elementary
- Cleveland Elementary
- Clinton Elementary
- Cohagen Elementary
- Colstrip Elementary
- Colstrip High School
- Columbia Falls Elementary
- Columbia Falls High School
- Columbus Elementary
- Columbus High School
- Conrad Elementary
- Conrad High School
- Cooke City Elementary
- Corvallis K-12 Schools
- Cottonwood Elementary
- Cottonwood Elementary
- Cottonwood Elementary
- Creston Elementary
- Culbertson Elementary
- Culbertson High School
- Custer County High School
- Custer K-12 Schools
- Cut Bank Elementary
- Cut Bank High School
D
- Darby K-12 Schools
- Davey Elementary
- Dawson High School
- Deep Creek Elementary
- Deer Creek Elementary
- Deer Lodge Elementary
- Deer Park Elementary
- Deerfield Elementary
- Denton Elementary
- Denton High School
- Desmet Elementary
- Dillon Elementary
- Divide Elementary
- Dixon Elementary
- Dodson Elementary
- Dodson High School
- Drummond Elementary
- Drummond High School
- Dupuyer Elementary
- Dutton/Brady K-12 Schools
E
- Earl 18
- East Glacier Park Elementary
- East Helena Elementary
- Edgar Elementary
- Ekalaka Elementary
- Elder Grove Elementary
- Elliston Elementary
- Elysian Elementary
- Ennis K-12 Schools
- Eureka Elementary
- Evergreen Elementary
F
- Fair-Mont-Egan Elementary
- Fairfield Elementary
- Fairfield High School
- Fairview Elementary
- Fairview High School
- Fergus High School
- Fishtail Elementary
- Flathead High School
- Flaxville K-12 Schools
- Florence-Carlton K-12 Schools
- Forsyth Elementary
- Forsyth High School
- Fort Benton Elementary
- Fort Benton High School
- Fortine Elementary
- Frazer Elementary
- Frazer High School
- Frenchtown K-12 Schools
- Froid Elementary
- Froid High School
- Fromberg Elementary
- Fromberg High School
- Frontier Elementary
G
- Galata Elementary
- Gallatin Gateway Elementary
- Gardiner Elementary
- Gardiner High School
- Garfield County High School
- Garrison Elementary
- Geraldine Elementary
- Geraldine High School
- Geyser Elementary
- Geyser High School
- Gildford Colony Elementary
- Glasgow K-12 Schools
- Glendive Elementary
- Gold Creek Elementary
- Golden Ridge Elementary
- Grant Elementary
- Grass Range Elementary
- Grass Range High School
- Great Falls Elementary
- Great Falls High School
- Greenfield Elementary
- Greycliff Elementary
H
- Hall Elementary
- Hamilton K-12 Schools
- Hardin Elementary
- Hardin High School
- Harlem Elementary
- Harlem High School
- Harlowton Elementary
- Harlowton High School
- Harrison K-12 Schools
- Havre Elementary
- Havre High School
- Hawks Home Elementary
- Hays-Lodge Pole K-12 Schools
- Heart Butte K-12 Schools
- Helena Elementary
- Helena Flats Elementary
- Helena High School
- Hellgate Elementary
- Helmville Elementary
- Highwood Elementary
- Highwood High School
- Hinsdale Elementary
- Hinsdale High School
- Hobson K-12 Schools
- Hot Springs Elementary
- Hot Springs High School
- Huntley Project K-12 Schools
- Hysham K-12 Schools
I
- Independent Elementary
J
- Jackson Elementary
- Jefferson High School
- Joliet Elementary
- Joliet High School
- Jordan Elementary
- Judith Gap Elementary
- Judith Gap High School
K
- Kalispell Elementary
- Kester Elementary
- Kila Elementary
- King Colony Elementary
- Kinsey Elementary
- Kircher Elementary
- Knees Elementary
L
- Lambert Elementary
- Lambert High School
- Lame Deer Elementary
- Lame Deer High School
- Lamotte Elementary
- Landusky Elementary
- Laurel Elementary
- Laurel High School
- Lavina K-12 Schools
- Lennep Elementary
- Lewistown Elementary
- Libby K-12 Schools
- Liberty Elementary
- Lima K-12 Schools
- Lincoln County High School
- Lincoln K-12 Schools
- Lindsay Elementary
- Livingston Elementary
- Lockwood Elementary
- Lodge Grass Elementary
- Lodge Grass High School
- Lolo Elementary
- Lone Rock Elementary
- Lustre Elementary
- Luther Elementary
M
- Malmborg Elementary
- Malta K-12 Schools
- Manhattan Elementary
- Manhattan High School
- Marion Elementary
- McCormick Elementary
- McLeod Elementary
- Medicine Lake K-12 Schools
- Melrose Elementary
- Melstone Elementary
- Melstone High School
- Melville Elementary
- Miami Elementary
- Miles City Elementary
- Missoula Elementary
- Missoula High School
- Molt Elementary
- Monforton Elementary
- Mont School for the Deaf and Blind
- Montana City Elementary
- Moore Elementary
- Moore High School
- Morin Elementary
- Mountain View Elementary
N
- Nashua K-12 Schools
- North Harlem Colony Elementary
- North Star Elementary
- North Star High School
- Noxon Elementary
- Noxon High School
- Nye Elementary
O
- Olney-Bissell Elementary
- Opheim K-12 Schools
- Ophir Elementary
- Ovando Elementary
P
- Paradise Elementary
- Park City Elementary
- Park City High School
- Park High School
- Pass Creek Elementary
- Peerless K-12 Schools
- Pendroy Elementary
- Philipsburg K-12 Schools
- Pine Creek Elementary
- Pine Grove Elementary
- Pioneer Elementary
- Plains Elementary
- Plains High School
- Pleasant Valley Elementary
- Plenty Coups High School
- Plentywood K-12 Schools
- Plevna K-12 Schools
- Polaris Elementary
- Polson Elementary
- Polson High School
- Poplar Elementary
- Poplar High School
- Potomac Elementary
- Powder River County District High School
- Powell County High School
- Power Elementary
- Power High School
- Pryor Elementary
R
- Ramsay Elementary
- Rapelje Elementary
- Rapelje High School
- Rau Elementary
- Raynesford Elementary
- Red Lodge Elementary
- Red Lodge High School
- Reed Point Elementary
- Reed Point High School
- Reichle Elementary
- Richey Elementary
- Richey High School
- Roberts K-12 Schools
- Rocky Boy Elementary
- Rocky Boy High School
- Ronan Elementary
- Ronan High School
- Rosebud Elementary
- Rosebud High School
- Ross Elementary
- Roundup Elementary
- Roundup High School
- Roy K-12 Schools
- Ryegate K-12 Schools
S
- S H Elementary
- S Y Elementary
- Saco Elementary
- Saco High School
- Sand Springs Elementary
- Savage Elementary
- Savage High School
- Scobey K-12 Schools
- Seeley Lake Elementary
- Shawmut Elementary
- Shelby Elementary
- Shelby High School
- Shepherd Elementary
- Shepherd High School
- Sheridan Elementary
- Sheridan High School
- Shields Valley Elementary
- Shields Valley High School
- Sidney Elementary
- Sidney High School
- Simms High School
- Smith Valley Elementary
- Somers Elementary
- South Stacey Elementary
- Spring Creek Colony School
- Spring Creek Elementary
- Springdale Elementary
- Springhill Elementary
- Ignatius K-12 Schools
- Regis K-12 Schools
- Stanford K-12 Schools
- Stevensville Elementary
- Stevensville High School
- Sun River Valley Elementary
- Sunburst K-12 Schools
- Sunset Elementary
- Superior K-12 Schools
- Swan Lake-Salmon Elementary
- Swan River Elementary
- Swan Valley Elementary
- Sweet Grass County High School
- Sylvanite Elementary
T
- Target Range Elementary
- Terry K-12 Schools
- Thompson Falls Elementary
- Thompson Falls High School
- Three Forks Elementary
- Three Forks High School
- Townsend K-12 Schools
- Trail Creek Elementary
- Trego Elementary
- Trinity Elementary
- Trout Creek Elementary
- Troy Elementary
- Troy High School
- Turner Elementary
- Turner High School
- Twin Bridges K-12 Schools
- Twin Buttes Elementary
U
- Ulm Elementary
- Upper West Shore Elementary
V
- Valier Elementary
- Valier High School
- Valley View Elementary
- Van Norman Elementary
- Vaughn Elementary
- Victor K-12 Schools
- Vida Elementary
W
- Warrick Elementary
- West Glacier Elementary
- West Valley Elementary
- West Yellowstone K-12
- Westby K-12 Schools
- White Sulphur Springs Elementary
- White Sulphur Springs High School
- Whitefish Elementary
- Whitefish High School
- Whitehall Elementary
- Whitehall High School
- Whitewater K-12 Schools
- Whitlash Elementary
- Wibaux K-12 Schools
- Willow Creek Elementary
- Willow Creek High School
- Winifred K-12 Schools
- Winnett K-12 Schools
- Wisdom Elementary
- Wise River Elementary
- Wolf Creek Elementary
- Wolf Point Elementary
- Wolf Point High School
- Woodman Elementary
- Wyola Elementary
Y
- Yaak Elementary
- Yellowstone Academy Elementary
Z
- Zurich Elementary
It is critical to make certain the Title IX investigation at your child's Montana high school is handled properly and that the accused student's interests and rights are protected from as early as possible during the sexual misconduct investigative process. One major reason is because even at high schools where a finding of responsibility for sexual misconduct charges is made at a hearing, the investigation will set the stage for what the hearing panel is provided prior to a hearing (and what the hearing panel will in large part rely on at a hearing), and at high schools where the finding of responsibility is made solely through the investigative process, what takes place during the investigation itself will determine whether the accused student is found responsible or not responsible for Title IX charges.
Unfortunately, some parents make the mistake of not taking the necessary precautions as soon as possible when accused of sexual misconduct. Some people will mistakenly believe that if they "just explain what happened," their school will be fair and impartial and will arrive at the truth. In a perfect world this may be the case, but in a perfect world, sexual misconduct allegations and Title IX charges would not exist.
Fighting passionately for the future of his clients at schools throughout the nation for many years, Joseph D. Lento knows how important it is to mount the strongest defense because he understands that an accused high school student's academic future is on the line. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. Joseph Lento is a licensed attorney in New Jersey and New York, is admitted as an attorney pro hac vice in state and federal court if needed when representing clients nationwide, and serves as a Title IX attorney advisor to high school students facing sexual misconduct investigations and disciplinary cases in Montana and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National High School Title IX Attorney Joseph D. Lento today at 888-535-3686.
