A Title IX conviction can have severe effects on a student’s life, including permanent damage to their reputation, difficulty getting jobs and housing, and an inability to complete their degree.
When you are a student at a college or university facing charges of sex discrimination and a Title IX investigation, you should reach out to a Title IX Lawyer at Leifert & Leifert. One of our experienced Attorneys could come up with the best possible defense to mitigate the effects of a conviction, or even get charges dropped altogether. Call today to schedule an appointment and get started.
Understanding Title IX
Title IX was passed in 1972 and prohibits sex discrimination at any school receiving federal funding. It is overseen by the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education and mandates an investigation any time an allegation of sex discrimination in any form is made. This investigation is to be separate from any criminal proceeding related to the matter.
Title IX proceedings vary by school. For example, accused students at public schools may be afforded more due process rights than those at private schools, because those schools are bound by the U.S. and State constitutions, while private schools only need follow State statutes and their own regulations. No matter the type of school, an allegation is followed by notification of both parties, an investigation, and a decision. When there a good amount of evidence, a formal hearing may be held before a decision is reached; in other cases, a claim might be dismissed or dealt with informally. One of our Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert can advise you on building a defense and how to deal with potential consequences of your Title IX hearing.
What to Do and Not to Do When Accused
An accused student should not talk to anyone about the allegations, including fellow students, the Claimant, administrators, Law Enforcement, and their friends. The student may, however, speak to their advocate or Attorney. This includes not posting on social media, or sending texts or direct messages, about the matter.
Some advisable initial actions to take are:
- Writing down a narrative of the events in question
- Preserving physical evidence, such as clothes or bedsheets, that may be tested for DNA evidence later
- Keeping text messages, DMs, social media posts, and photo and video evidence related to the incident
- Writing a list of witnesses who might corroborate the accused’s version of events
One of our dedicated Lawyers could expand on the full list of things to do when accused of a Title IX violation.
Investigating the Accusation
If an accused student needs more evidence and corroboration for their defense, their Lawyer could investigate the Title IX accusation to recover any helpful information.
Such an investigation could involve consulting with experts, parsing the complaint and witness statements, conducting new interviews, reviewing photo and video evidence, seeking additional footage, and referencing medical reports and applicable laws. This can be a detailed and time-intensive process, so it is best to work with an experienced legal professional who has handled cases like this before.
Consult With an Attorney Familiar With Title IX Cases Today
The outcome of a Title IX investigation could affect the rest of your life, so it is important to have someone on your side who can fight for you. When you are facing a charge of sex discrimination of some form, a Title IX Lawyer could provide you the best possible guidance, craft a strong defense to mitigate any potential consequences, and protect your rights throughout the process.
Call Leifert & Leifert today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Attorneys to discuss your case.
