Title IX Defense West Virginia

Common Types of Title IX Cases

Title IX broadly covers all forms of sex discrimination in schools, including: 

• Admissions and academics: A Title IX case can arise when a person believes that they were denied admission into an academic program or were treated unfairly in a classroom due to their sex.

• Athletics: Title IX requires schools to provide athletic participation opportunities for male and female students proportionately to their enrollments, financial assistance that is substantially in proportion to their participation rates, and equivalent benefits in medical services, coaching, travel, scheduling, equipment, and facilities. 

• Sexual violence: If someone is assaulted on a school campus, they can file a Title IX complaint against the assailant. This can make the accused subject to rules specific to the school, as well as any related criminal or civil case.

• Dating violence: Title IX can also involve allegations of domestic violence when it involves students or faculty members.

• Sexual harassment: Sexual harassment is considered a form of sex discrimination. Sexual harassment rises to the level of a Title IX violation when it is so severe or pervasive that it alters the terms of the affected person’s education. 
• Retaliation: Schools are also prohibited from retaliating against people for making Title IX complaints or participating in Title IX procedures.

Interim Support Measures

Interim supportive measures are resources and tools that schools and colleges put in place to ensure personal safety and allow students’ education to continue. Some of the most common interim support measures include:

• Academic accommodations, such as class schedule changes, leaves of absence, extensions on deadlines, and independent study options
• Changes to on-campus housing assignments
• Changes to job schedules or placements
• Safety and security measures, including campus escorts and increased monitoring of specific campus areas
• Mutual no-contact orders
• Referrals to campus counseling, medical services, and community resources

While these measures are designed to protect students and encourage their education, they can sometimes be disruptive to the accused.

The Title IX Process

Every school is responsible for creating its own Title IX policy and following it, so each case can be different from one school to the next. The typical steps involved in a Title IX process may include:

• Report: The process officially begins when the school receives a report of an alleged violation. The report is then forwarded to the school’s Title IX coordinator. 
• Notice and explanation of rights: The respondent and petitioner receive a copy of the complaint and an explanation of their rights. 
• Investigation: An investigator is assigned to the case. They may interview the parties. If the parties identify any witnesses, they may interview them, too. They may also collect evidence, such as text messages or social media contacts. 
• Investigative report: The investigator prepares a report that summarizes their findings. The parties generally have a right to respond to and supplement the report. Depending on the Title IX case, findings may be made at this point and sanctions applied.
• Hearing: In schools that permit hearings, the respondent can request one to defend themselves. A hearing is similar to a trial in that the parties can have witnesses testify and present evidence. At the conclusion, a hearing officer or panel makes a decision. 
• Sanctions: If there is a finding of responsibility made against the respondent, the hearing officer or panel also decides which sanctions to impose, such as placing them on academic probation, expelling them, or requiring them to vacate student housing.
• Appeal: There may be limited grounds to file an appeal, such as bias, procedural irregularity, or new evidence. 

This process can be complicated, so it’s important that you work with an experienced Title IX defense lawyer who can guide you through each of the above steps.

Colleges and Universities in West Virginia

The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education lists 37 colleges and universities in West Virginia, including two research universities, five master’s universities, fourteen baccalaureate colleges, twenty-one associate’s colleges, and three special-focus institutions. This includes the following:

• American Public University System 
• Appalachian Bible College
• Bethany College
• Blue Ridge Community and Technical College
• Bluefield State University
• BridgeValley Community and Technical College
• Catholic International University
• Concord University
• Davis & Elkins College
• Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College
• Fairmont State University
• Future Generations University
• Glenville State University
• Huntington Junior College
• Marshall University
• Mountwest Community and Technical College
• New River Community and Technical College
• Pierpont Community and Technical College
• Potomac State College of West Virginia University
• Salem University
• Shepherd University
• Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College
• University of Charleston
• Valley College
• West Liberty University
• West Virginia Junior College–Bridgeport
• West Virginia Junior College–Charleston
• West Virginia Junior College–Morgantown
• West Virginia Northern Community College
• West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
• West Virginia State University
• West Virginia University
• West Virginia University at Parkersburg
• West Virginia University Institute of Technology
• West Virginia Wesleyan College
• Wheeling University

Potential Title IX Penalties

To understand the seriousness of a finding of responsibility in a Title IX case, you need to be aware of the possible consequences, such as:

• Being suspended or expelled
• Losing your degree or having it revoked
• Being required to leave on-campus housing
• Being removed from your fraternity, sorority, leadership positions, or spot on a college sports team
• Losing your job or tenure
• Losing financial aid, including athletic and academic scholarships
• Having your reputation tarnished
• Being subject to a continuous no-contact order

KJK Student & Athlete Defense protects futures. Call us today for a confidential consultation.

How Can a Title IX Defense Lawyer Help Me?

Title IX cases can be intimidating, whether you’re a student, parent, or faculty member. You have the right to an advisor to assist you throughout this process. Your advisor, who can be a lawyer, can do the following:

• Advise you of your legal rights
• Explain the Title IX process 
• Review the allegations against you
• Help you prepare for interviews and hearings
• Be present at all interviews
• Conduct an independent investigation
• Gather and present evidence that is favorable to you
• Challenge the evidence against you
• Ensure that the school follows its own Title IX policy or raise appropriate legal arguments if it does not
• Assess how a Title IX case may affect other criminal or civil cases
• Make written challenges to the investigative report
• Participate in the hearing process to the fullest extent allowed by law
• Argue when punitive sanctions are issued
• Raise grounds for appeal 

Contact KJK Student & Athlete Defense to learn more.

Why Should I Choose KJK for My Title IX Case?

While you have the right to choose an advisor, some of the reasons why you should consider hiring a Title IX defense lawyer and KJK Student & Athlete Defense in particular include the following:

• Experience: Our lawyers have extensive experience. We have represented more than 200 people at more than 1,000 colleges and universities across the country. 
• Results: We have achieved impressive results, including early dismissal of charges, mediated resolutions, and overturned findings on appeal.
• Holistic legal representation: Our attorneys help with every aspect of your case and related cases. We can represent you in any civil or criminal matter that arises due to similar allegations. We also provide reputation management services. 
• Approach: At KJK Student & Athlete Defense, our motto is: “We save futures.” This phrase is short but powerful. It proves that we understand the gravity of the future and our critical role in protecting your rights during this pivotal moment.
• Recognition in the legal community: Several of the attorneys at KJK Student & Athlete Defense have been named as Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” in the Education category, a designation received by only one attorney for each category and location. The title is awarded to the lawyer who received the highest peer reviews in the category, a testament to the high regard that other lawyers in the area have for us.

Call us today to learn more about why you should hire us for your Title IX case.

Contact Our Title IX Defense Lawyers for Legal Assistance and Representation

Title IX allegations are serious matters that warrant a serious response. An experienced Title IX defense lawyer from KJK Student & Athlete Defense can provide this. 

Our lawyers can get to work immediately on your case. We can conduct an independent investigation devoted to getting to the heart of the matter, rather than just to gather evidence to use against you, as the school will. We leave no stone unturned in mounting an effective defense on your behalf. 

Contact us today to discuss your legal rights and options. We provide a confidential consultation where you can get your questions answered and address your legal concerns. Call us now before it is too late.