Hartford Title IX Lawyer
Every student attending the University of Hartford has a federally guaranteed right under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to be protected from sex-based discrimination and harassment while at school. Unfortunately, getting a positive resolution from a Title IX case can be difficult, especially without the support of a seasoned attorney who has successfully handled similar cases. If you want to pursue your Title IX complaint more effectively, or if you are the respondent to such a complaint and want to proactively enforce your own rights, you should prioritize contacting a Hartford Title IX lawyer.
What Does Title IX Require the University of Hartford To Do?
Title IX imposes three specific requirements on schools that receive any kind of federal funding: to actively stop sex-based discrimination from affecting their students and staff members, to prevent such discrimination from reoccurring if it does happen on campus, and to provide remedies that address and alleviate the negative effects of such discrimination. The University of Hartford broadly covers the first requirement through its Title IX Office, which is responsible for establishing and enforcing its Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Non-Discrimination Policy.
If the Title IX Office receives a report of sex-based discrimination or abuse on campus, that office must conduct a thorough investigation that is fair and balanced to both the complainant and the respondent accused of violating the complainant’s rights. Then, based on evidence discovered through that investigation and the outcome of an ensuing disciplinary hearing, the University may impose sanctions on the respondent and, or provide accommodations to the complainant to minimize the long-term impact of the incident on the complainant’s academic future. A Hartford Title IX attorney can provide more details about how this process works during a confidential consultation.
How Title IX Proceedings Differ From Criminal Cases
Respondents in Title IX cases do not have all the same rights guaranteed to them as defendants facing charges in criminal courts. Most notably, respondents do not have a right to have legal counsel provided to them if they cannot afford private counsel. While they can have “advisors” help them construct their defense, only one advisor is allowed to attend Title IX proceedings with the respondent.
Conversely, the potential sanctions for a Title IX case are limited to measures that the University can take independently, including loss of on-campus privileges and suspension or expulsion, and do not include criminal penalties such as fines or jail time. However, Title IX proceedings can coincide with criminal proceedings based on the same alleged discriminatory or abusive act. In this case, it may be even more important for a respondent in Hartford to have help from an experienced Title IX defense lawyer.
Discuss Your Legal Options With a Hartford Title IX Attorney
No two Title IX cases are identical, and the right strategy for one person may be entirely different from the best approach to your specific case. In any case, whether you are pursuing or contesting a Title IX complaint, you could benefit from having a skilled legal representative on your side.
A Hartford Title IX lawyer could be the steadfast ally you need to achieve the best possible outcome from your Title IX proceedings. Call Mark Sherman Law today to schedule a consultation, and click here to read certified reviews from past clients on our Avvo profile.