Sacred Heart Title IX Hearing Lawyer
- At Sacred Heart University, Title IX procedures are conducted by the school’s designated Title IX Officer.
- A Sacred Heart Title IX case can lead to a Fairfield Connecticut police investigation.
- You have the right to consult an advisor (like a student defense attorney) and have them by your side throughout the entirety of a Title IX proceeding.
- If you are being accused of a Title IX sexual harassment violation at Sacred Heart University, contact a top Connecticut Title IX defense lawyer today.
How does a Title IX proceeding start at Sacred Heart University?
A Title IX proceeding at Sacred Heart University begins with someone filing a complaint with the school’s Title IX Coordinator. Afterwards, the Title IX Coordinator will schedule a meeting with the person that filed the complaint. This Title IX Coordinator, based on the complaint, will make determinations about whether any interim measures need to be taken for the protection of students or either individual party. This can include no contact orders between the parties, revocation of housing, or a temporary suspension of an accused student. The Title IX Coordinator will also decide whether the allegations require conducting a formal investigation.
What is Title IX?
Title IX is a broad law enacted as part of the Educational Amendments of 1972. It applies to issues of alleged sex discrimination, harassment, and misconduct. For more info about Title IX, check out our recent post on changes to Title IX that will take effect August 14, 2020.
A Title IX hearing, like any proceeding, is stressful. Reading through Sacred Heart University’s Title IX Policy on Sexual Misconduct on your own can be stressful and nerve wracking. Knowing what to expect can help reduce some of that stress and anxiety. That’s where we come in.
Who is Involved in a Title IX Investigation at Sacred Heart University?
In order to move forward with an investigation, the complaining party must submit a formal, written complaint. Either the Title IX Coordinator or someone trained on Title IX procedures will then coordinate an investigation. In the investigation, the complaining party and the accused are guaranteed opportunities to speak with the investigator.
The investigator will also meet with any witnesses to the incident and review any documents that might be related to the incident. The investigator will then write a report about their findings. The investigator will issue an opinion as to whether a student is responsible or not responsible for violating school policy. The investigator’s opinion is based on a preponderance of the evidence standard. In short, this standard asks whether the information gained in the investigation is more convincing that the student did violate the rules than did not.
What Are My Rights if I Have Been Accused of a Title IX Violation at Sacred Heart University?
Students accused of violating the school’s policy have rights to a formal hearing, rights to know the identity of the investigator, and most importantly, rights to an advisor. Having an experienced attorney as an advisor can help shepherd you through a Title IX proceeding from the investigative phase through the formal hearing. Experienced counsel can help develop a defense and strategy for presenting your case at a formal hearing.
Contact a Connecticut Title IX Student Defense Lawyer Today
You don’t have to go it alone. Having a trusted advisor with your best interests in mind can make all the difference in a Title IX sexual misconduct proceeding. The attorneys with the Law Office of Mark Sherman can help you navigate this process at Sacred Heart University and provide counseling to effectively defend yourself. Check out our hundreds of certified 5-star Avvo reviews and call us at 203-358-4700 today to learn more about how we can help you.