Rights During a Westport Title IX Investigation

When someone is accused of committing a crime and charged under the Connecticut Penal Code, they have certain due process rights guaranteed to them by the United States Constitution. However, when someone is accused of violating someone else’s Title IX rights while attending or working at a federally funded school, their rights depend entirely on what their specific school grants them as part of the standardized internal disciplinary process.

Unfortunately, this means that determining your rights during a Westport Title IX investigation can be deceptively challenging, especially if you try to handle your case without a seasoned attorney’s support. By working with our team at The Law Offices of Mark Sherman, you could get a complete understanding of your options when facing a Title IX allegation and receive help with enforcing the rights afforded to you by your school.

The Right to Legal Representation in Title IX Cases

One of the most important due process rights that criminal defendants have is the right to retain private legal counsel or, if they cannot afford counsel, have a public defender appointed to them free of charge. Conversely, no college, university, or K-12 school district in the country has any kind of equivalent to a public defense office established for Title IX respondents, so you cannot count on having counsel provided to you by a qualified legal professional.

However, most schools in Westport and elsewhere give people involved in Title IX inquiries the right to name an advisor who will provide guidance about how to handle the case and who may be allowed to accompany them into hearings. This role could also be filled by a lawyer,  parent, guardian, or trusted faculty member.  Since most schools only allow Title IX respondents to have one officially designated advisor, it is generally best for it to be a skilled attorney.

What Other Rights Could a Lawyer Help Enforce?

While not every school guarantees the exact same rights to respondents in Title IX cases in Westport, examples of rights that often are granted to students and faculty members include:

• The right to be informed of a Title IX allegation or impending investigation.
• The right to privacy while the investigation is ongoing.
• The right to minimal disruption to their academic career during the investigation, including from supportive measures granted to complainants.
• The right to make statements during Title IX hearings.
• The right to submit evidence and testimony in their own defense during Title IX hearings.

In addition to helping you understand what rights your school provides you, a member of our team can provide crucial assistance when it comes to proactively enforcing those rights at every stage of your Title IX case.

Contact a Westport Attorney To Learn More About Your Rights Throughout a Title IX Investigation

Just because state and federal laws do not guarantee you certain rights during a Westport Title IX investigation does not mean you have no rights at all. What it does mean, though, is that support from a seasoned lawyer could be crucial to protecting your best interests when dealing with an allegation.

During a confidential consultation, a member of our team can discuss your unique circumstances and offer preliminary guidance about actions you should take. Call The Law Offices of Mark Sherman today to schedule an appointment, or read some of the 300+ verified reviews on our Avvo.com profile by clicking here.