Title IX Defense Lawyer: Todd Spodek
Sexual misconduct charges are serious and can have long-lasting consequences on your education and career prospects. Many students underestimate the severity of these charges, thinking that judicial procedures are straightforward, and punishments are light. However, the minimum sanction in such cases is suspension, with expulsion being the typical outcome if found responsible for a violation. Nonetheless, you cannot just re-enroll or transfer to another university because expulsion comes with a transcript notation. Few universities will admit someone with a history of sexual offenses.
Moreover, procedures can be complicated since most cases are governed not only by university policy but also by federal law – Title IX. The law was passed in 1972 with the primary aim of curbing sexual discrimination on college campuses but has evolved to include all forms of sexual harassment from simple verbal harassment to stalking, dating violence, and rape. Universities must investigate and adjudicate allegations based on rigid federal guidelines, which extend to over five hundred pages.
Therefore, facing sexual misconduct charges at National University College requires taking the situation seriously by finding a qualified attorney who understands Title IX laws and has experience representing student clients.
Title IX & Sexual Misconduct
National University College uses standards set by Title IX to handle most sexual misconduct cases; thus understanding this federal law is crucial when seeking a good defense attorney. NU Student Code of Conduct provides useful information on how to interpret Title IX:
1. The school has a Title IX Coordinator responsible for all aspects of school policy regarding the law.
2. Upon opening an investigation into your case, you are entitled under Title IX to receive details about allegations leveling against you.
3. You have several other essential due process rights under Title IX during the investigation:
– Similar treatment as complainants in any given situation
– Access to information about alleged evidence
– Advanced notice of meetings or hearings
– Investigators/decision-makers without bias
– Innocent until proven guilty
4. The Cooperate must appoint an investigator to look into the case and complete a summary report based on evidence from both sides.
5. Investigators meet separately with both parties, interview witnesses, and collect physical evidence as part of their investigation.
6. If substantial evidence is found, decision-makers are appointed to preside over a hearing where both parties present their full cases.
At the hearing, students can make arguments, offer evidence, call witnesses; Title IX further allows cross-examination of one another and any other witnesses against them but only by advisors. The final element is determining whether or not the accused student is responsible for committing an offense based on the legal standard known as “preponderance of evidence”. In simple terms, this standard requires Decision-Makers to find you guilty if they believe it’s “more likely than not” you committed an offense.
Finally, students have the right to appeal the outcome under limited grounds such as discovering new evidence that has a direct bearing on case outcome or procedural errors that may have affected decision-making.
Non-Title IX Cases?
Not every accusation of sexual misconduct at college or university is subject to a Title IX investigation. Since 2020, off-campus incidents are excluded from coverage under Title IX law. However, many schools like National University College have made these violations a code of conduct violation nonetheless.
The same procedures apply in handling Non-Title IX violations cases except that Respondents do not enjoy hearing rights during investigations. At the end of an investigation in non-Title IX charges cases, investigators make decisions regarding guilt or innocence that respondents can appeal under strict limitations similar to those in Title IX appeals.
Todd Spodek – Title IX Defense Lawyer
Todd Spodek understands how dealing with sexual misconduct charges can be devastating and confusing for students since he built his career defending them just like you from such allegations.
Joseph has studied Title IX laws inside-out and knows how universities operate in these cases. He is familiar with tactics that schools often use and knows how to counter such tactics to ensure clients receive a fair hearing.
Todd Spodek is a fully licensed qualified defense attorney who built his career defending students accused of sexual misconduct. When working with Joseph, you can expect exceptional representation centered mainly around achieving the best possible outcome for your case.
Don’t wait to see what the university or the other side will do; begin building your case now by utilizing Todd Spodek’s expertise. Reach out to us at 888-555-3686 or stay online today using our automated online form for a free consultation!
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