Title IX Defense Missouri
Serving students & Faculty nationwideMany people have not heard of Title IX until they receive documentation alleging that they have violated this law. Title IX allegations are serious and can have a correspondingly serious effect on students, faculty members, or others accused of violating its mandate. If you have discovered that you are under investigation, you need legal assistance.
KJK Student & Athlete Defense is a nationwide Title IX and campus misconduct law firm. We have the experience and skills necessary to mount a robust defense on your behalf. Learn more about how we can help when you contact us for a confidential consultation.
What Is Title IX?
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sexual discrimination in educational settings. It applies to any educational institution or program that receives federal funding, including vocational rehabilitation services, elementary schools, secondary schools, colleges, universities, and libraries.
Why You Should Choose KJK for Your Defense
When your entire future is on the line, you want a trusted legal advocate on your side. This is what you get when you work with KJK Student & Athlete Defense. Our nationally-recognized education lawyers have successfully worked in cases involving more than 200 colleges and universities across the country, representing more than 1,000 clients.
Our firm is recognized for our relentless advocacy for our clients. We represent individuals accused of Title IX violations and campus misconduct, as well as those who need assistance with special education matters to receive equal access to education. We proudly count K-12 students, college students, fraternal organizations, physicians, scientists, researchers, and faculty members among
Education law is a niche area of the law. Effectively navigating this area of the law requires an in-depth experience of relevant laws and procedures, as well as the interplay between the law and specific school policies. Our lawyers have provided expert commentary on multiple platforms, including CNN, ESPN, USA Today, and Law & Crime Trial Network.
Our lawyers have won the Best Lawyers’ “Lawyer of the Year” award in the Education category, most recently by KJK partner Kristina Supler. This award goes to only one attorney in each category and location who receives the highest peer reviews in the category. This award demonstrates the esteem that other lawyers in the education field have for us.
At KJK Student & Athlete Defense, we understand the high stakes involved. We take our motto and mission seriously: to protect futures. Contact us today to learn more about our legal services.
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Why You Need to Take Title IX Allegations Seriously
Title IX cases are complex. Some of the reasons why you need to take allegations regarding sexual misconduct or other Title IX violations seriously are as follows:
Potential Consequences
While Title IX claims are not criminal cases, they can still cause serious and life-altering consequences, including:
- Class or job schedule changes
- Suspension or expulsion
- Revocation of an already awarded degree
- Mandatory counseling or sensitivity training
- Academic probation
- Loss of financial aid
- Removal from leadership positions
- Prohibitions on engaging in certain types of activities
- Loss of student housing
These ramifications can interfere with your education and career.
Protecting Your Rights
Sometimes, colleges, universities, and other educational institutions do not handle Title IX cases well. They rush to resolve the allegations quickly, potentially trampling on the accused students’ rights. These cases tend to be resolved within a few months, which can be an inadequate amount of time for the respondent to prepare for the process.
While you can choose to have a lawyer represent you in the matter as your advisor of choice, you need to make this decision known. A lawyer can then handle the case on your behalf, to the fullest extent possible provided by law.
Potential for Other Types of Cases
Title IX is not an exclusive remedy. There is nothing that prevents the same allegations involving Title IX from resulting in criminal charges or a civil claim against you. Having an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side can help protect your legal rights so that you don’t inadvertently damage them in a related case.
At KJK Student & Athlete Defense, we provide holistic legal services to our clients. We can help with any criminal or civil matters that derive from Title IX allegations.
Common Title IX Allegations
While the actual wording of Title IX is limited, it has a far-reaching impact. Various types of cases that may arise out of Title IX allegations include the following:
Sex Discrimination
Title IX was originally enacted to prevent sexual discrimination in educational settings. Sex discrimination can arise when one sex is treated better or worse than the others in enrollment, funding, program acceptance, or other forums.
Pregnancy Discrimination
It is a form of sex-based discrimination to discriminate against students who are pregnant, nursing, or parents based on these statuses.
Sexual Assault
One of the most common types of Title IX allegations is of sexual assault. Sexual assault is often defined and treated differently under Title IX than it is in criminal law.
The University of Missouri System states that sexual activity must be consensual, which is knowing and voluntary. All involved persons must provide a “conscious and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity.” This requires that they all meet the legal age of consent and all have capacity.
Its policy further states that each person has the responsibility to ensure they have the consent of all others engaged in the sexual activity, which must be obtained at the time of the specific activity and can be withdrawn at any time. Consent can be withdrawn through words, as well as through non-verbal acts. Silence does not establish consent, nor does the mere existence of a dating relationship or consent in the past.
A person may not consent or have the capacity to consent under any of the following situations, according to the University of Missouri System’s Title IX policy:
- Consent was achieved through coercion, force, or threat of coercion or force.
- They are under the legal age of consent.
- They cannot consent due to consuming alcohol or drugs.
- They are developmentally disabled.
- They are mentally or physically unable to consent.
- They cannot consent due to unconsciousness or illness.
If an actor knew or should have known of the other party’s incapacitation, consent does not exist.
Sexual Harassment
Prohibited forms of sexual harassment in Missouri can include the following:
Quid pro quo harassment: This form of sexual harassment involves giving someone something in exchange for unwelcome sexual conduct.
Hostile environment: Unwelcome conduct that is objectively perceived as offensive, pervasive, or severe and denies a person access to the school’s program or activities creates a hostile environment and can be grounds for filing a Title IX complaint.
Intimate Partner Violence
Title IX also prohibits dating violence and domestic violence between people involved in a romantic or family relationship. Stalking is also prohibited.
Hazing
Some forms of hazing may involve sexual misconduct or degradation that could give rise to a claim under Title IX.
Retaliation
Retaliation occurs when a person is treated unfavorably due to their complaint or support for a complainant.
Colleges and Universities in Missouri
Missouri is home to several dozen colleges and universities, including the following:
- Avila University
- Central Methodist University
- College of the Ozarks Point Lookout
- Columbia College
- Cottey College
- Crowder College
- Culver–Stockton College
- Drury University
- East Central College
- Evangel University
- Hannibal–LaGrange University
- Harris–Stowe State University
- Jefferson College
- Lincoln University
- Lindenwood University
- Maryville University
- Metropolitan Community College
- Mineral Area College
- Missouri Baptist University
- Missouri Southern State University
- Missouri State University
- Missouri University of Science and Technology
- Missouri Valley College
- Missouri Western State University
- Moberly Area Community College
- North Central Missouri College
- Northwest Missouri State University
- Ozarks Technical Community College
- Park University
- Ranken Technical College
- Rockhurst University
- Saint Louis University
- Southeast Missouri State University
- Southwest Baptist University
- St. Charles Community College
- St. Louis Community College
- State Fair Community College
- State Technical College of Missouri
- Stephens College
- Three Rivers Community College
- Truman State University
- University of Central Missouri
- University of Missouri
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Webster University
- Westminster College
- William Jewell College
- William Woods University
The Title IX Process
If you have been accused of violating Title IX, understanding the legal process ahead is critical to safeguarding your rights. While every education program has its own Title IX policy and unique way of handling the investigation, the Title IX process often involves the following steps:
The complainant reports misconduct. The Title IX coordinator is informed of the allegations and provides basic information to the parties about their rights.
The complainant and respondent are interviewed separately by a Title IX investigator. They may each have their own advisor during this process.
The parties are asked to provide evidence or witnesses to support their version of events.
The parties receive a copy of the evidence file or investigation report. They have an opportunity to respond or provide comments to the report.
Some schools offer a hearing process, while others do not. If the respondent is asked to participate in disciplinary actions, a hearing officer or panel may be responsible for asking questions and making a final decision in determining whether the respondent was responsible for violating Title IX.
Evidence in Title IX Sexual Misconduct Cases
One of the unique aspects of Title IX cases is that it has relaxed evidence procedures. Specific rules of evidence affect what type of evidence can be presented in a criminal case, but those same rules do not apply to Title IX cases.
Typical evidence in Title IX cases includes:
- Text messages
- Emails
- Social media messages
- Witness statements
- Physical evidence
- Photos or videos
Another key difference between Title IX and criminal cases is that the burden of proof is different. Criminal cases have the highest burden of proof, with proof beyond a reasonable doubt necessary to secure a criminal conviction. Many Title IX cases only require a preponderance of the evidence, meaning that the facts more likely than not match the complainant’s version of events. It is important to have a Title IX defense lawyer on your side who knows how to present and challenge evidence.
How to Defend Against Allegations in a Title IX Case
One of the most important facets of Title IX cases is having an experienced lawyer on your side. A lawyer can carefully review the formal complaint against you, identifying weaknesses and inconsistencies at an early stage. Sometimes, having a lawyer at the early stages of a Title IX case can help support an early dismissal or informal resolution of the case against you, thereby shielding you from the harshest consequences associated with Title IX.
If the case proceeds, your lawyer can gather evidence that aids your defense, as well as evidence that calls the complainant’s allegations into question. Because every Title IX policy is different, it’s crucial that your lawyer familiarizes themselves with your school’s specific policy and explains why you are being accused of violating it. They can review your school’s specific policies and procedures so they can help you navigate the legal process effectively.
By talking with you in-depth about the allegations against you, a lawyer can get a better sense of what actually happened and help create a clear narrative on your behalf that defends you from these allegations. Throughout the process, your lawyer can review evidence, interview witnesses, and respond to reports on your behalf. If you have a hearing in your case, your lawyer can help you prepare for it. They can prepare questions, opening statements, and closing statements to be used in the proceeding.
Contact KJK for Dedicated Legal Defense
If you are facing Title IX allegations, reach out for legal representation immediately. The legal team at KJK Student & Athlete Defense is here to help ensure your voice is heard and that you have a fair process. Contact us today to arrange a confidential evaluation of your case.
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.
See What Our CLients are Saying about our title ix attorneys
Testimonials
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.
Title IX
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