Columbus Campus Sexual Assault Lawyer
ServicesBeing accused of sexual assault on a college campus can be devastating and traumatic, and can often lead to suspension, expulsion, criminal investigation, and harm to one’s reputation and future. A skilled attorney from KJK is here to provide legal advice. If you are accused of sexual assault at a university which receives federal funding, your school will likely handle the allegation through an investigation and hearing as outlined by Title IX. A Columbus campus sexual assault lawyer can help you navigate the university proceedings, ensure you receive a fair hearing, and fight for the protection of your rights.
Faculty Member or Graduate Student?
If you are a faculty member or graduate student who has been accused of research misconduct, learn more about how our Academic & Scientific Research Misconduct group can help.
What is Title IX?
Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 aims to prevent sex-based discrimination in educational institutions, universities, and colleges that receive federal funds. This law applies to most universities, and the law has evolved over the years to cover sexual harassment and sexual misconduct. Educational institutions are legally obligated to remedy any alleged hostile educational environment, such as a sexual assault allegation, through an investigation and hearing process.
It is wise for someone to consult a campus sexual assault attorney when faced with a hearing in Columbus in order to present a strong defense and protect their rights.
Recent Changes to Title IX
On August 14, 2020, new Department of Education regulations went into effect. These regulations increase protection for complainants, as well as expand rights for respondents. Some of the new aspects of the regulations include the following:
- A student’s right to receive written notice of the allegations against them and to have an advisor at a hearing
- A respondent’s right to submit, challenge, and cross-examine evidence
- Schools are required to select either the “preponderance of the evidence” standard or the “clear and convincing evidence” standard, and apply it for all case
- Schools are required to offer an equal right of appeal for both parties
- Schools are prohibited from using Title IX in a manner that deprives one of rights guaranteed by the First Amendment
This law is constantly evolving and being evaluated. To fully understand any new regulations and how this may affect a case, an accused student can consult with a campus sexual assault attorney in Columbus who has experience in these types of hearings.
School Hearings for Sexual Assault
Title IX hearings are not criminal matters. The standard used by the school administration for the burden of proof is “preponderance of evidence” or “clear and convincing evidence.” These are relatively low standards, not the stricter criminal standard of “beyond a reasonable doubt.” These proceedings do not provide the same due process rights, including rules for evidence and testimony, as afforded to a defendant in a criminal case. A student who receives a disciplinary finding due to sexual misconduct can suffer severe consequences, such as the loss scholarships or economic aid, revocation of their diploma, suspension, expulsion, or potentially being criminally investigated for a sex crime offense. A Columbus school sexual assault attorney could advise the respondent on how to navigate the hearing and advocate for their innocence.
Call a Columbus Campus Sexual Assault Attorney for Help
Being accused of sexual assault can leave a black mark on your education, your reputation, and your future. With the proper defense on your side, you might be able to prove your innocence and move forward in your life. A trained Columbus campus sexual assault lawyer could represent you at an administrative hearing, present all exculpatory evidence, and work to ensure your due process rights are protected. Title IX regulations are evolving all the time. Call a committed lawyer from KJK to learn how the parameters of the law will impact your situation.
Important to Know:
COVID-19: Cheating & PlagiarismAllegations of cheating and plagiarism are skyrocketing due to virtual learning environments imposed by COVID-19. If you’ve been accused of academic misconduct during this time, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
See What Our CLients are Saying
Testimonials
Enough cannot be said for how helpful KJK was ...
for me during my allegation process. Susan and Kristina were extremely knowledgeable and passionate toward my specific case. They consistently had steps of action to take in my defense and were extremely flexible when working with me. They helped prepare me, both mentally and emotionally, prior to my hearing. Thanks to their hard work, I now have my future back.”
– Successfully defended a pre-med undergraduate student for alleged cheating on a physics lab report and showed that the professor had made a critical error in basic mathematics
Susan and Kristina are great lawyers.
They helped me resolve an extremely difficult academic dishonesty accusation case against me at the university level. They had helpful ideas and were persistent in making sure my defense was the best it could be. They were creative in their way of utilizing outside resources that helped achieve a positive outcome. Good, prompt responses to my questions. I highly recommend them!
