Yale Title IX Respondent Lawyer

Being accused of violating another person’s Title IX rights can be an instantly life-changing experience, regardless of whether you are a student or a faculty member. Either way, the allegations alone could subject you to a lengthy investigation undertaken by the school’s Title IX Coordinator’s office, not to mention a host of sanctions that could jeopardize your academic career as well as your career prospects.

While Title IX proceedings operate differently than criminal trials, they do share the same rights when it comes to your ability to retain a defense attorney and contest the accusation(s) made against you. With that in mind, contacting a Yale Title IX respondent lawyer should be one of your top priorities if you are already under investigation for a Title IX violation or suspect you may soon be subject to such an investigation.

What Rights Do Respondents in Title IX Cases Have?

One significant way in which being the “respondent” to an allegation of a Title IX violation is different from being a criminal defendant is that in the former scenario, you are not guaranteed legal counsel if you can afford to hire one, nor do you have  the right to a trial before your peers. That said, Yale’s internal procedures for handling Title IX cases are consistent with federal Title IX guidelines, which state that all respondents should be presumed innocent unless a fair and impartial investigation establishes by a “preponderance of the evidence” that a Title IX violation more likely than not occurred.

You have the right to have an advisor—such as a Yale Title IX respondent attorney, a parent, a guardian, or a trusted teacher—accompany you to all Title IX proceedings. You are also entitled to be fully informed about upcoming case procedures, to have your case kept as confidential as possible, and to decline participation in the process. If the case results in an unfavorable outcome, you have the right to appeal through the university’s formal process.

Possible Outcomes of a Title IX Proceeding

During a Title IX case, both the respondent and the complainant may have their class schedules, housing, or campus access adjusted to minimize academic disruption. However, these measures are typically implemented with the complainant’s safety in mind rather than the respondent’s well-being. Having a skilled lawyer can help ensure that the Title IX process at Yale remains as fair as possible for the respondent.

Once the investigation and hearing conclude, Yale’s administration can make some interim measures permanent. Depending on the case’s outcome and the nature of the alleged violation, this could result in restrictions on your campus rights and privileges, suspension, expulsion, or dismissal from the university.

Discuss Legal Options With a Yale Title IX Respondent Attorney

Effectively contesting an accusation that you violated Title IX is by no means easy, and the stakes of these cases can be very high. That said, you have help available to you from experienced legal professionals who have handled situations like yours successfully in the past and can work diligently to get you the best possible result from your circumstances.

A confidential conversation with a Yale Title IX respondent lawyer could give you answers to pressing questions and confidence about the steps you should take to protect your best interests. Call Mark Sherman Law today to schedule a meeting, or see what past clients have said about working with us by clicking here and checking out our Avvo.com profile.