Quinnipiac Title IX Respondent Lawyer
Even if you have no history of legal trouble, being accused of violating another student or faculty member’s Title IX rights while studying or working at Quinnipiac University can have serious repercussions. In addition to facing potential academic sanctions, you could be subject to criminal prosecution, as many Title IX offenses may also constitute criminal offenses under the Connecticut Penal Code. Assistance from a skilled Title IX attorney could be key to achieving the best possible case result. If you are dealing with allegations of this nature and want to effectively protect your best interests, you should make contacting a Quinnipiac Title IX respondent lawyer one of your top priorities.
Basic Steps in the Title IX Case Process
The Title IX grievance process at Quinnipiac begins when someone—known after this point as the “complainant”—files a formal complaint in writing to the university’s Title IX coordinator detailing the sex-based discrimination, harassment, or violence they experienced on campus. If the Title IX Office determines that the alleged behavior constitutes a violation of the school’s anti-discrimination policy, that office will open an investigation into the matter and notify the “respondent” named in the complaint of the action taken.
At the conclusion of the investigation, a report will be sent to the provost or a designee detailing relevant evidence uncovered during the investigation, at which point the provost or designee may make recommendations for further sanctions against the respondent or remedies to be provided to the complainant. However, it is also possible to resolve some Title IX grievances through informal processes supported by the Title IX Office, and a Quinnipiac Title IX respondent attorney can explain this in more detail.
Effectively Contesting Allegations of Discrimination
Unfortunately, Title IX cases can be more difficult to contest than criminal cases, since you are not on trial and are therefore not guaranteed the same constitutional rights as criminal defendants. Notably, the standard of proof for determining whether a Title IX complaint has merit is not as strict as the standard for obtaining a conviction in Connecticut criminal court. Rather than “beyond a reasonable doubt,” a Title IX investigation only has to establish that a respondent likely committed a violation based on a “preponderance of the evidence.”
This is vital to understand as the respondent in a Title IX case, because it means that speculative evidence, circumstantial evidence, and even outright hearsay may be used against you, potentially resulting in penalties such as loss of on-campus privileges, suspension, or even expulsion. Support from a seasoned Quinnipiac defense lawyer is crucial to ensuring that you are treated fairly throughout this grievance process and that you can effectively present evidence of your own in your Title IX case.
Contact a Quinnipiac Title IX Respondent Attorney for Legal Support
Being accused of a Title IX violation can have substantial repercussions for your academic and professional future. You have the right to seek help from a Quinnipiac Title IX respondent lawyer as soon as you become aware that a Title IX complaint has been filed against you. Call Mark Sherman Law today to discuss your options, or read what past clients have to say about working with us in the verified reviews on our Avvo profile.