If you're a student or the parent of a student at a college or university in Rhode Island and you or your child is charged with a code of conduct or disciplinary violation, you should not take the matter lightly. Do not make the mistake of believing what some schools would describe as an educational opportunity. A code of conduct or disciplinary case can have serious potential consequences with respect to academic goals, including internships and graduate school, and professional goals, including employment opportunities.
Regardless of when you first learn of the allegations, whether it's from the Office of Student Conduct, or from a professor, an athletic coach, the campus police, respectfully declining to discuss the case before taking the necessary precautions is often critical. You must understand how your school will investigate and adjudicate the case. To do so, you must familiarize yourself with the applicable policies and procedures. All schools will conduct an investigation and regardless of whether your school will decide responsibility based solely on an investigation or will do so at a hearing, it's necessary to present the strongest possible defense and response.
Notice is an issue at many schools, so you must clearly define the allegations. You must then present your version of events and support it through all available means, including relevant evidence, supporting witnesses, and anything else that would be appropriate to the circumstances. At schools that decide responsibility at a hearing, you will need to prepare for the hearing, which in part would include preparing an opening statement, relevant questions for parties and witnesses, a closing statement, and so forth.
You must also bear in mind that schools are not mindful of an accused student's rights and interests, so ensuring a fair process is critical to achieving a favorable outcome. You do not want to find yourself in the position of having to appeal an adverse outcome and sanctions because you failed to take effective steps throughout the process. Having an experienced attorney advisor will be your best ally to help you understand and navigate the code of conduct disciplinary process at your college or university in Rhode Island. They should be involved from as early as possible in the case.
Rhode Island colleges and universities where Joseph D. Lento can help as your or your student's code of conduct disciplinary violation advisor during investigations, hearings, and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following schools:
- Brown University
- Bryant University
- Community College of Rhode Island
- Johnson & Wales University – Providence
- Naval War College
- New England Institute of Technology
- Providence College
- Rhode Island College
- Rhode Island School of Design
- Roger Williams University
- Salve Regina University
- University of Rhode Island
Rhode Island Student Code of Conduct Disciplinary Advisor
Mounting the strongest possible defense to college and university code of conduct and disciplinary violations is critical because the stakes are high for an accused student, and the necessary steps must taken as early as possible and throughout the code of conduct disciplinary process. A finding of responsibility and any sanctions can have incredibly serious consequences for an accused student's academic and professional goals, and Joseph D. Lento has unparalleled experience passionately fighting for the future of his clients at schools in Rhode Island and throughout the nation. Joseph Lento is a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania, 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 code of conduct disciplinary advisor to students facing disciplinary cases in Rhode Island and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National Student Defense Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686.
