What to Do When You’ve Gone Viral, But Not in a Good Way

Recently, a University of Baltimore student posted a video on the TikTok streaming platform, accusing another student of threatening and stalking her and arguing that university officials failed to take effective action when she reported the matter to them. The video has been viewed millions of times, and according to news reports, the accused student has beenbarred from campus.

It can be uncomfortable, to say the least, when somebody posts something unfavorable about you on line. Whether the post is viewed by one or two people, or whether it goes viral and is seen by millions, posts that accuse you of bad behavior of any type can haunt you for years. So what do you do if another student makes damaging accusations against you in a public post?

Don’t Retaliate

One thing you should definitely not do is retaliate – whether in person or online. Confronting your accuser in person can sometimes lead to a physical altercation that could easily get out of hand, and posting false or damaging information about someone, even if they have made terrible accusations against or about you, is rarely justified and can lead to a defamation charge.

Yes, it can be very difficult to be the topic of a harmful public accusation, and it may seem unfair to be told to simply ignore it. But responding without receiving effective advice from an experienced student defense attorney can sometimes make things worse. Attorney Joseph D. Lento has that experience and can help you decide what steps, if any, to take to try to clear your name while still protecting what’s just as important – your good standing as a student.

Do Prepare to Defend Yourself

Colleges and universities have their own codes of conduct that act as a separate set of laws and procedures governing student discipline. The standards are generally much looser than in criminal law prosecutions, and the protections for accused students are much lower than in the ‘real world.’ Frequently an accused student can find themselves with a permanent note in their student record, or even suspended or expelled, in cases that would never make it to trial in a criminal court setting.

This means that if you are accused by someone of doing or saying something that violates school policies, particularly your school’s honor code, you should not take it lightly. LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team can help you navigate these kinds of difficult situations. Attorneys who have counseled students at schools across the country on school disciplinary issues, LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team has the skills and background necessary to defend you against unfounded charges.

LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team Can Help

LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team has represented students all over the country who find themselves involved in school disciplinary investigations. LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team has the knowledge and experience you need to advise students and parents about how to respond to misconduct allegations and disciplinary investigations. Contact LLF National Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or through our contact form to learn more about how LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team can help you.