Going to Court Over Your
Student Misconduct Case
April 8, 2022
Just like academic excellence, conduct is a crucial aspect of being a student in a post-secondary institution. An allegation involving student misconduct or a violation of the university's code of conduct could require you to go to court or attend a student conduct hearing. A skilled California student defense attorney can enlighten you about all you need to know concerning this difficult and emotional time.
At the Alec Rose Law Office, I'm committed to providing experienced legal guidance and reliable representation to students at UCLA, Cal-Tech, Stanford, The Claremont Colleges, UC Davis, UC Berkeley, and other educational institutions across California. As your legal counsel, I will investigate all of the surrounding facts of your student misconduct case, prep you intensively to represent yourself at the student conduct hearing, and represent you aggressively in court if needed.
My firm—the Law Office of Alec Rose PC—proudly represents clients throughout Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Santa Ana, Orange, Simi Valley, Westminster, and the rest of California.
Types of Student Misconduct
Student misconduct occurs when a student engages in an act that violates school rules, including federal, state, and local laws. Some common types of student misconduct include:
Sexual assault
Rape
Date rape
Stalking
Dating or relationship violence
Sexual abuse
Other forms of sexual misconduct.
Plagiarism
Deception
Fabrication of information
Cheating
Sabotage
Copying portions of another person's work
Helping another person to commit an act of academic dishonesty
Violation of School Code of Conduct
Intentionally or recklessly causing physical injury or harm to another person
Disruption or obstruction of teaching, administration, research, student disciplinary proceedings, or other university functions
False testimony
Abuse or destruction of college equipment and facilities
Theft or other abuse of college computing facilities
Causing physical damage to college buildings, furnishings, or other property
Gambling on school premises
Fighting with another student
Possessing pornographic material
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 28,500 total on-campus crimes were reported to law enforcement agencies in 2018. Of these, there were 12,300 forcible sex offenses, 9,600 burglary incidents, and 2,200 aggravated assault incidents. If you are a student who has been accused of misconduct by another student or faculty member, you need to reach out to an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately for proper guidance throughout the legal process.
Investigation Process
Student misconduct hearings usually involve a panel of investigators made up of selected staff members. Before the hearing, you will be asked to give your statement in an interview. During the interview, the investigators will describe the specific rule that was violated and ask you extremely personal and extensive questions about the alleged violation.
What’s more, the panel will evaluate the surrounding circumstances of the misconduct or complaint and any evidence brought against the accused student by the accuser. Before attending the interview or giving any statement, it is crucial that you are clear on your side of the story and you are well prepared to face the panel of investigators.
The Hearing
A neutral hearing officer will conduct a determination hearing. You will be allowed to present your statements and witnesses during the hearing. The hearing officer will review the available information and evidence gathered during the investigation or initial interview.
The hearing officer will use this to determine whether the accused party is guilty of the misconduct allegations or not. A skilled student defense attorney can coach you extensively on how to give a good opening statement, closing statement, and represent yourself diligently during the student conduct hearing or court proceedings.
The Appeals Process
If the decision of the hearing officer isn't favorable, you may be eligible to file an appeal. A panel comprising faculty members will review the appeal, and the panel's decision will be final. A knowledgeable attorney can help work on your appeal and make sure you're given fair treatment.
How a Knowledgeable Attorney Can Help
A student misconduct accusation could go on your academic record and potentially jeopardize your personal reputation and future opportunities. Defending such allegations without proper guidance could expose you to the risks of being found guilty and suffering the maximum sanctions. If you have been accused of student misconduct, reach out to a knowledgeable student defense attorney for proper guidance.
For more than 25 years, I have devoted my career to providing compassionate and assertive legal guidance to college and university students who have been wrongfully accused of misconduct. Backed by extensive experience, I will coach you through the student conduct proceedings and represent you aggressively in every stage of the legal process. Having me on your side can improve your chances of the best possible outcome and a brighter future.
Facing student misconduct allegations can be scary. This is why you should never face them alone. Contact my firm—the Law Office of Alec Rose PC—today to schedule a simple case evaluation. I can offer you the strong advocacy and detailed legal counsel you need in your disciplinary hearing. My firm is proud to serve clients throughout Los Angeles, California, as well as San Diego, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Santa Ana, Orange County, Rancho Cucamonga, and the rest of the state.