Title IX Defense in Arkansas
Serving students & Faculty nationwideA Title IX investigation can be a significant threat to a college student or faculty member’s career. While criminal cases have to comply with rules of evidence and provide defendants with the presumption of evidence, this is not the case in Title IX proceedings. In Title IX cases, the accused can be immediately subject to consequences disguised as interim support measures, which can require the accused to switch classes, change dorms, and have no contact with the accuser even before any evidence of misconduct has been presented.
If you find yourself facing Title IX charges, it’s crucial that you work with an experienced Title IX defense lawyer. The KJK Student & Athlete Defense team has represented hundreds of students accused of misconduct at more than 190 colleges and universities. We can guide you through the Title IX process, protecting your rights at every stage. Contact us for a confidential consultation.
What Exactly Is Title IX?
Title IX is a federal law that states that no one in the United States should be denied the right to participate in or be discriminated against on the basis of sex in any educational program that receives federal financial assistance. This definition has been broadly interpreted. While it was initially implemented to ensure women had access to educational programs and adequate funding in women’s collegiate sports, it is now being used as a way to punish individuals accused of sexual misconduct on college campuses and universities.
Today, Title IX cases can include allegations involving sexual assault, rape, sexual harassment, and other sexual misconduct. Any time there is an accusation of such misconduct, the college or university must investigate it, or it risks losing federal funding.
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Why Do I Need a Title IX Defense Lawyer?
When you are facing legal issues that could negatively impact your life, you need a lawyer. When you are facing Title IX violations, you need a Title IX defense lawyer. Many students find themselves quickly overwhelmed when they try to confront this confusing process. They may feel that the Title IX coordinator, investigator, or other parties are biased against them, making it difficult for them to receive a fair outcome.
Every school has its own set of rules regarding Title IX, making the legal process complex as the student cannot go to a trusted source for information on how these types of cases unfold. Schools sometimes do not follow their own rules. While the school is at risk of losing federal funding if they do not take swift and decisive action, they may not be as worried about upholding the accused’s rights. This can lead to the student facing considerable consequences, including the possibility of criminal charges or a civil lawsuit against them.
When your academic future is at stake, you should seriously consider hiring a lawyer who is experienced at handling Title IX cases. Our firm has extensive experience handling these types of cases, and one of our partners was named Best Lawyer of the Year in the Education category in 2025. Contact us today to arrange a confidential consultation with our caring legal team.
What Is the Role of a Title IX Advisor?
Title IX rules allow the person making allegations as well as the accused to have their own advisor. The advisor assists with the process, ensuring that the person they are advising understands their legal rights and options at each phase of the case.
Title IX rules do not allow an attorney to provide legal representation in the same way they can when they are representing clients in civil or criminal courts. In fact, the rules do not require that the Title IX advisor even be an attorney. Still, there are many benefits to hiring a lawyer to serve in this critical role.
Title IX defense lawyers play several critical functions, including:
- Ensuring accused students receive due process
- Being present during the investigation phase of the proceedings to ensure fairness
- Advising students of their legal rights and options at each phase of the case
- Preparing students for any hearings, what to expect, and how to respond
- Preparing questions for the accuser
When you hire KJK, we can discuss the Title IX investigative process during an initial confidential assessment. If you decide to hire us, we can carefully analyze the charges against you and the evidence. Our legal services extend to providing reputation management and defense in criminal cases and civil litigation. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
Possible Penalties in Title IX Cases
Title IX can result in significant penalties that jeopardize your academic career and future, including:
Suspension or Expulsion
If you are found responsible for violating Title IX, you could be suspended or expelled from school. Suspension can delay your graduation and timeline for completing your studies, while expulsion can derail your entire academic future. Any suspension or expulsion is included in your academic records, which can make it difficult or impossible for you to transfer schools.
Degree Revocation
If you have already graduated, you may think you’re in the clear. However, the school can retroactively revoke your degree. This could jeopardize your career or employment prospects.
Loss of Financial Assistance
You can also lose financial aid, grants, and academic scholarships. If you are on an athletic scholarship, you can lose that and your spot on the college team. Sometimes, you could even be forced to repay the financial assistance you already received.
Loss of Leadership Positions
If you are found responsible for Title IX violations, you can lose your leadership positions on campus. This could remove your position in a fraternity or sorority, cause you to step down from student council, or cause you to be dismissed from leadership positions in clubs, all things you might have been participating in to be a more attractive candidate to future employers or educational programs.
Loss of Campus Housing and Employment
You can be forced to move out of your campus housing. If you work on campus, you could also lose your job.
Social Stigma
Even if you’re not found responsible for violating Title IX, you could still suffer damage to your reputation if you are associated with sexual misconduct.
Building a Strong Defense
To avoid the consequences above, you will require a solid defense. This defense should be tailored to your case. It may include:
Responding to the Allegations
Your Title IX defense attorney can carefully review the allegations against you, obtain a copy of the formal complaint and any supporting evidence, and discuss the situation with you in confidence. Armed with a better understanding of the situation, your lawyer can advise you on the best way to respond to the allegations, including remaining silent to protect your interests in case a criminal case arises.
Challenging the Accuser’s Credibility
One effective defense strategy may be to call the accuser’s credibility into question, such as by:
- Highlighting inconsistencies with the accuser’s account of events, including between varying statements
- Presenting evidence that contradicts their statements, such as text messages or witness testimony
- Identifying ulterior motives, such as revenge, jealousy, or regret
Arguing Consent
If a key allegation is that the sexual encounter was not consensual, you may be able to argue consent with:
- Statements about a prior sexual relationship you had with the accuser
- Text messages or social media correspondence agreeing to the encounter
- Providing pictures, videos, or other evidence after the alleged incident that shows interactions inconsistent with a lack of consent
Bolstering Your Defense
You can provide your lawyer with information about witnesses and evidence that can aid in your defense. This may help bolster your defense and increase your credibility with the decision-makers.
Challenging the College’s Procedures
Sometimes, colleges may fail to follow their own policies and procedures when investigating and making a decision about the complaint. For example, your lawyer may argue:
- The college did not give you proper notice of the charges, access to evidence, or a meaningful opportunity to respond.
- The college did not follow its own rules for the proceedings.
- The Title IX process is inherently biased or conflicts with state or federal law.
Informal Resolutions to Title IX Complaints
Title IX provides an opportunity for parties to settle their case without a full hearing. This informal resolution may allow you both to take accountability for a situation and agree to terms that you both consider reasonable. These resolutions require cooperation from the university and the party making the complaint. An experienced attorney can explain if this is a viable option under the circumstances and help negotiate a fair resolution.
What to Do If You’re Facing Title IX Charges
If you have been accused of violating Title IX, you can take proactive steps to protect yourself. Knowing what to do – and more importantly, what not to do can make a significant difference in your case. An experienced lawyer can discuss these steps, including:
Review Your School’s Title IX Policies and Procedures
Because every school has a different set of policies and procedures, you should carefully review yours and compare these terms to what is included in the formal notice you receive.
Don’t Try to Contact the Accuser
Many schools will immediately institute a no-contact order following allegations of sexual misconduct. Trying to contact the person who is accusing you of misconduct could violate this order or be perceived as retaliation. Avoid any contact with the accuser, including texting, calling, seeing them in person, or engaging with them on social media. Do not try to have a third party contact them on your behalf.
Don’t Talk About the Case
Avoid talking to your friends, roommates, or others about the case. Anything you say could potentially be brought up during the case, so it’s best to limit the evidence against you.
Be Careful with Social Media
You should not try to immediately delete any interactions with the accused on your social media as this could make you look guilty or violate procedural rules. Increase your privacy settings and be careful about what you post so your social media communications are not used as evidence against you in your case.
Hire an Experienced Title IX Defense Attorney
You should not try to handle a complex legal matter on your own. The Title IX defense attorneys at KJK have extensive experience handling these cases. Contact us today to arrange a confidential consultation.
Peer Advice
A Client’s Tips For Facing A Title IX Investigation
I OFFER THE FOLLOWING TIPS
For students who may be involved in a Title IX or related matter, I offer the following tips. First, I recommend that you call a Title IX lawyer before you make any other move. Following that step, one should consider staying away from public statements on the matter. I also recommend that this public silence be countered with engagement in therapy and frequent self-care. Similarly, reach out to the appropriate contact at your school to coordinate supportive measures so that you may continue with your academics. Establishing a list of hobbies and rituals to ground myself was incredibly helpful throughout the ups and downs of the case.
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We will be forever grateful to you for engaging with us to assist our son...
Kristina and Susan are very competent ...
Susan Stone and Kristina Supler represented our male college freshman...
against a false Title IX claim of non-consensual sexual intercourse. Current Title IX laws are strongly slanted in the accuser’s favor, and our son was denied due process by the university. This legal team expertly highlighted the accuser’s false accusations, while exposing the university’s many inconsistencies. They were there when we needed them – quick to take our phone calls or respond to our questions and concerns. Without their expert legal advice, our son would have likely been another silent and unfortunate victim of current Title IX university policies. We give Susan and Kristina the highest of recommendations!
I was a member of a fraternity at a public university...
that was kicked off campus for reported hazing. My involvement with the fraternity was unaware of any misdeeds being done, and was shocked when the school charged me with failure to report hazing. That’s when I contacted Susan and Kristina, who were extremely helpful and wonderful to work with. Thanks to them they helped guide me through collecting proof of my innocence, which ended up leading to the result we wanted of no charges against me. I highly recommend their service to anyone who might need it!
You are the utmost professional counselor...
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K-12 Student DefenseKJK’s Student & Athlete Defense practice group is here to protect your child’s future. Defending students of all ages, our team is here to make sure your family is given fair treatment when it comes to disciplinary actions issued by your school district.
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