Title IX Defense in Washington
Serving students & Faculty nationwideTitle IX charges can change the life of the accused if they are not properly defended against as possible. Even Title IX allegations without any findings can cause lasting damage to the student’s reputation. If you or your child are facing Title IX accusations, you need to act quickly to secure the appropriate legal representation and begin mounting a robust defense.
At KJK Student & Athlete Defense, we have extensive experience handling Title IX cases and a long-established track record of success. Our education attorneys are recognized nationwide. We can meet with you to discuss your individual needs during a confidential consultation. Call us today to get started.
What Is Title IX?
Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972 requires all educational institutions that receive federal funding to protect students from sexual harassment and sexual discrimination. The law was initially passed to help women gain access to educational studies and receive support for collegiate athletics. However, today, it is used as a weapon against anyone accused of sexual misconduct on a college campus.
Each college and university is responsible for creating its own rules and procedures regarding Title IX cases. As a result, the process is incredibly unique to each institution. If found responsible for Title IX violations, a student can face harsh consequences that severely impact their academic career and prospects for the future.
Title IX governs various forms of discrimination in education programs, including:
- Sex-based discrimination
- Rape
- Sexual assault
- Domestic violence
- Sexual violence
Title IX applies to all educational institutions that receive funding from the federal government, including over 7,000 higher education institutions and 16,500 school districts. If a school is found to have violated Title IX, it risks losing this crucial funding, so administrators often take allegations very seriously, potentially protecting the accuser’s rights more than the accused.
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Your Right to a Title IX Advisor
Title IX provides for the right to choose an advisor for the accused and accuser. While you don’t have to select a criminal defense lawyer as your advisor, there are many benefits of doing so. While Title IX’s process is governed by the individual school where misconduct occurred, these cases often lead to criminal cases. A criminal defense attorney can advise you of your rights during the Title IX proceeding while also protecting you from more serious criminal charges.
You may be interviewed or asked to provide a written statement as part of the Title IX investigation process. Your advisor can help you with interactions with school administrators, advise you of your rights, and ensure a fair investigation in which your due process rights are protected. Our lawyers have extensive experience handling Title IX cases, campus misconduct, and disciplinary hearings. We can help gather evidence, explore all possible defenses you can raise, and put the burden on the accuser to establish the case.
We review your school’s individual rules and explain what you can expect. We can also inform you of the possible outcomes and negotiate with the university to reduce the consequences or dismiss the charges. At every stage of your case, you will know that you are well-represented when you hire KJK Student & Athlete Defense.
Potential Consequences of a Finding of Responsibility Under Title IX
One of the reasons why it is so essential to hire an experienced lawyer to help handle these types of cases is because the consequences can be so severe. If you are found to be responsible for Title IX violations, you can face potential penalties such as:
- Expulsion or suspension from school’
- Degree revocation
- Academic probation
- Loss of financial aid, scholarships, and grants
- Loss of housing on campus
- Mandatory training or workshops
- Being kicked off a college sports team
- Losing leadership positions on campus
The findings will be included in your academic record and may prevent you from transferring or being admitted to another school. If you work on campus, you can lose your job.
These are just the sanctions that the school can impose. There is nothing that makes Title IX the exclusive remedy, so you can face criminal charges or a civil lawsuit on the same set of facts the Title IX case is based on.
How Our Attorneys Help Throughout the Title IX Process
At KJK Student & Athlete Defense, we help through every phase of the Title IX case. While this process is different at each institution, it typically involves the following steps:
Notice
Title IX requires that students accused of violating Title IX receive notice that they have been accused of violating this law and an explanation of their rights throughout the process.
Investigation
Schools must investigate and address claims of sex discrimination, harassment, and sexual assault, or they risk losing grants and other federal funding. An investigator will be assigned to the case who may take steps such as:
- Interviewing the accuser to get their official account of the events in question
- Interviewing the accused
- Interviewing witnesses who may have observed some of the facts in question
- Gathering evidence, including physical evidence, social media messages, text messages, and other
- Preparing a report of findings
During this process, the school may be asking you to proceed with minimal information about the accusations against you or the evidence the accuser has. However, you have the right to have an advisor present at every meeting and to review the evidence against you. Your Title IX lawyer can ensure your rights are protected throughout the investigative process.
Our lawyers can advocate on your behalf to ensure the school follows its own procedures and that you have access to the information you are entitled to. You have the right to a fair investigation, and we are here to demand it.
Hearing
Some schools may have hearings where the accuser presents allegations and evidence against you. Your Title IX lawyer can help prepare you for the hearing and your opening statement. Your lawyer can explain what this process entails and what to expect.
At the hearing, you are allowed to present witnesses with questions. These questions can help demonstrate there is insufficient evidence against you or call witnesses’ credibility into question. You can also present your own evidence to contradict the accuser’s claims.
Appeal
If there is a finding of responsibility in your case, an attorney can review if grounds exist to appeal an adverse decision.
Possible Defense Strategies in Title IX Cases
Every Title IX case is different, so it’s crucial you work with an experienced attorney who can review the case against you and develop a customized defense strategy based on the specific details involved in your case. Depending on the circumstances, potential defenses may include:
Lack of Sufficient Evidence
Most colleges use a “preponderance of the evidence” standard, which is much lower than the “beyond a reasonable doubt” that is required to secure a criminal conviction. This standard requires showing that the facts are more likely than not as the accuser alleges. While this standard is much lower than the burden of proof in criminal cases, the accuser must have some evidence to support their claims. If they don’t, we can move to have the matter dismissed.
False Accusations
Some allegations are simply based on false information. The accuser may be lying about what happened as a way of seeking revenge, getting a desired outcome, or dealing with their own regret involving the sexual encounter.
Procedural Errors
Many schools fail to follow their own procedures regarding Title IX investigations. If they violated your rights or otherwise exceeded the scope of the investigation, we may be able to argue that procedural errors compromised your rights.
Bias
Because schools are concerned about their funding, they may be more likely to take harsh action against an accused. Witnesses can also be biased, which can compromise the integrity of the investigation.
Full Legal Representation Through All Aspects of Related Cases
In addition to providing a robust defense in a Title IX case, our legal team can help with all other aspects of these types of cases, including any resulting:
Retaliation Claims
It’s common for schools to institute no-contact orders after allegations of Title IX offenses. Contacting the accuser or talking negatively about them could constitute retaliation. Even having a third party contact the accuser could land you in legal trouble. Those accused of misconduct on campus could also be the subject of retaliation. We can assist you with any related retaliation claims.
Reputation Management
Our legal teams can help remove any damaging online content about the case so that it does not negatively impact your future.
Criminal Charges
Title IX complaints may accuse you of committing offenses under the criminal code. Our criminal defense attorneys have extensive experience appearing in criminal courts and defending the accused of misdemeanor and felony sex offenses. We can protect your rights throughout this process.
Civil Cases
If the accuser decides to sue you, we can assist with all aspects of civil litigation.
You can count on our dedicated legal representation and guidance throughout every aspect of your case.
Colleges and Universities in Washington
Title IX allegations can arise in any educational setting that receives federal funding, but these cases are more commonly raised in colleges and universities. In Washington, this could include any of the following educational institutions:
- Antioch University
- Argost University
- 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
- Columbia Basin College
- Cornish College of the Arts
- Eastern Washington University
- Evergreen State College
- Everest College
- Heritage University
- Lower Columbia College
- Northwest University
- Olympic College
- Pacific Lutheran University
- Seattle Community College
- Seattle Pacific University
- Seattle University
- University of Puget Sound
- University of Washington
- Walla Walla University
- Washington State University
- Western Washington Univerity
- Whitworth University
Contact Our Legal Team for a Confidential Case Review
If you are the current subject of a Title IX investigation, you have rights, and the KJK Student & Athlete Defense Team is here to protect them. Our legal team can review the allegations against you, gather evidence to aid in your defense, and demand that you receive a fair investigation by the educational institution.
We have successfully represented hundreds of university students in various legal proceedings. We can discuss our ample experience and how we can help when you call or contact us online for a confidential case review.
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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