Washington State Title IX Investigations: Protecting Your Rights and Interests

If you’re a college student in Washington state accused of sexual misconduct or harassment, you should expect to face rigorous investigations by your school. Title IX violations are taken very seriously and can have grave consequences on both the accuser and the accused.

As part of the Title IX investigation process, colleges and universities are obligated to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct diligently. Failure to do so could result in losing their federal funding.

If you find yourself being accused of violating Title IX policies, it’s vital to seek legal counsel to protect your rights during investigations. One makes a significant mistake when appointing family members or faculty as advisors; engaging experienced attorneys like Todd Spodek can go a long way in helping you protect your interests.

You Have the Right to an Advisor

The discussion around equitable outcomes in sexual harassment cases has led to more recognition of the importance of having an attorney as one’s advisor. Every Washington State college allows accused persons access to an advisor of their choosing.

Despite this right given by schools, anyone accused should not take it for granted because using only friends or family as advisors is unlikely going to be beneficial for the person being investigated.

Experienced attorneys like Todd Spodek come with many advantages that make them better-suited as one’s advisors:

1. A Strong Understanding of Investigative Procedures

Title IX defense attorneys know all aspects of investigative processes, giving them insight into what happens behind-the-scenes during proceedings not relayed through official correspondence from educational institutions involved.
 
2. Building and Presenting One’s Best Case

Attorneys equipped with years of experience help pull together vital details about an accuser necessary for defending against charges successfully.
 
3. Knowledgeable about Adversarial Proceedings
 
Being familiar with adversarial proceedings is essential because if a matter goes before a hearing panel or court case against an institution or individual, much pressure comes along with this process. A qualified attorney provides a fighting chance of coming out on top.
 
4. Strong Connections in the Legal System

Experienced legal counsel has scored many wins for their clients, and that sometimes demands leveraging connections or institutional knowledge regarding parties involved in overhauling an investigation or change-of-venue efforts.

Investigating a Title IX Complaint: What You Should Expect

The investigation process varies slightly from college to college. In general, all colleges follow the same basic framework listed below, although minor differences may occur:

1. Complaint Filing:

The Investigation process often starts with a student or staff member filing a complaint against the accused of sexual misconduct or other violations under Title IX policies.

2. School Response:

After receiving a complaint, the school typically responds by issuing no-contact orders, prohibiting interaction between the accuser and respondent during investigations into such allegations. Depending on the severity and nature of these interactions, living arrangements could be modified on-campus or off-campus until investigations are completed.
 
3. Title IX Investigation:

Third-party legal counsel independent investigators investigate claims made against accused parties alleged to have violated Title IX regulations at their respective institutions.
 
4. Sanctions for Violations:
 
If evidence indicates that one violated school policies as regards sexual harassment or misconducts, sanctions range from warnings up to expulsion from school.
 
5. Rights of Appeal:
 
An individual found guilty can appeal charges within five days after being notified by an educational institution regarding sanctioning decisions if they believe their trial did not adhere to recommended protocols.

Seeking Help During Washington State Title IX Investigations
If you’re facing allegations of sexual misconduct in violation of Title IX regulations by your University in Washington State , obtaining qualified attorneys’ services like Todd.Spodek will help protect your rights and provide many advantages not available when defense advisors are friends/family members that lack formal training.

National Title IX attorney Todd.Spodek brings his ten years of litigation expertise and education consultancy experience to help even hopeless-seeming situations. As a registered attorney with licenses in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other states, Todd.Spodek provides Pro Hac Vice representation for clients nationwide.

Below is a comprehensive list of colleges/ universities within the Washington State area where we can assist as your professional Title IX advisors during every step from investigations to appeals:

Antioch University Seattle

Argosy University Seattle

Bates Technical College

Bellevue College

Bellingham Technical College

Big Bend Community College

Cascadia Community College

Central Washington University 

Centralia College

City University of Seattle

Clark College

Clover Park Technical College

Columbia Basin College

Cornish College of the Arts.

DeVry University Washington.

DigiPen Institute of Technology.

Eastern Washington University.

Edmonds Community College.

Everest College Bremerton.

Everest College Everett.

Everest College Tacoma.

Everest College Vancouver.

Everett Community College

Faith Evangelical Lutheran Seminary & Bible School.

Gonzaga University

Grays Harbor Columbia college.

Green River Community college.

Heritage university.

Highline community college.

International Academy of Design and Technology, Seattle.

ITT Technical Institute-Seattle campus.

ITT Technical Institute-Spokane Valley Campus

ITT Tech. Inst.- Everett

Lake Washington Institute of Technology.

Lower Columbia community college.

Northwest Aviation Colleges.

Northwest Art School.

Northwest Indian Colleges.

NW School Of Wooden Boatbuilding

North-western State colleges/universities 

Olympic colleges.

Pacific Lutheran university.

Peninsula colleges.

Pierce – Fort Steilacoom campus.

Pierce-Puyallup campus.

Renton technical college.

Saint Martins university.

Seattle Central community college.

Seattle Pacific university

Shoreline community college.

Skagit valley college

South Puget Sound community college.

Spokane community college.

Spokane Falls community college.

Tacoma community college.

The Art Institute of Seattle.

Trinity Lutheran colleges

University of Phoenix Western Washington, Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma Campuses

University of Puget Sound.

 University of Washington Bothell Campus

 University of Washington Seattle Campus

 University of Washington Tacoma Campus

Walla Walla community colleges.

Walla Walla university,

Washington state universities.

Wenatchee Valley College

Western Washington University

Whatcom Community College

Whitman College

Whitworth University

Yakima Valley Community College
 

Please don’t neglect your rights if accused of sexual misconduct or related charges under Title IX policies in Washington State. The earlier you engage the services of qualified legal counsel capable and experienced fighting on your behalf, the lower the chances that irreparable damage will occur to career and future opportunities.