If your child is facing a college sexual misconduct investigation in Vermont, you need to take the necessary precautions before you engage with the school or anybody else possibly involved. In any capacity, too much is at stake. Every step of a college sexual misconduct case is critical. The early stages are especially critical because they'll set the stage for later aspects of the case. You of course do not want to do or say the wrong thing at any point in the process, but especially early in the process.
For modern colleges and universities, unfortunately, they're often in a rush to judgment. They're not cognizant of an accused student's rights and interests. They'll often encourage an interview or a meeting with an accused student. Before an accused student may even realize what's going on that meeting or interview should not take place until you've been able to take the necessary precautions. You need to familiarize yourself with the school's policy as to how the case will be addressed and adjudicated. You need to get as much information about the allegations as possible. You need to try to get an understanding as to why this is even taking place in the first place.
At a given time, you need to prepare and respond accordingly when that meeting or interview would take place with the school but it should only take place at the appropriate time. An experienced attorney advisor will be able to let you know when that would be appropriate. They'll be able to help you understand and navigate the process. They'll be able to let you know what should take place in a given case, which should not take place, what needs to take place. They'll also be able to work towards trying to ensure a fair process and a favorable outcome.
If your son or daughter is facing a college sexual misconduct investigation at their school in Vermont, you should have an experienced ally in their corner from as early as possible in the process.
Vermont colleges and universities where Joseph D. Lento can help as your or your student's college sexual misconduct advisor during investigations, hearings, and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following schools:
- Bennington College
- Castleton State College
- Champlain College
- College of St Joseph
- Community College of Vermont
- Goddard College
- Green Mountain College
- Johnson State College
- Landmark College
- Lyndon State College
- Marlboro College
- Middlebury College
- Norwich University
- Saint Michael's College
- Southern Vermont College
- Sterling College
- University of Vermont
- Vermont Technical College
It is critical to make certain the college sexual misconduct investigation at your Vermont school is handled properly and that the accused student's interests are protected from as early as possible during the sexual misconduct investigative process. One major reason is because even at colleges and universities 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 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 is found responsible or not responsible for college sexual misconduct charges.
Unfortunately, some students, families, and college employees make the mistake of not taking the necessary precautions as soon as possible when accused of sexual misconduct at college. Some people will mistakenly believe that if they "just explain what happened," their college or university 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 cases would not exist.
Fighting passionately for the future of his clients at universities and colleges 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's academic and professional 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 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 college sexual misconduct advisor to students and others in academia facing sexual misconduct investigations and Title IX disciplinary cases in Vermont and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National College Sexual Misconduct Attorney Joseph D. Lento today at 888-535-3686 or by completing our online form.