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Title IX allegations can be made whenever a student believes they have been the victim of discriminatory behavior based on their gender. Although Title IX covers a variety of allegations, admissions or athletic discrimination is more often handled as a violation of the Civil Rights Act. On most campuses today, Title IX allegations involve sexual harassment or assault.
If you have become the target of an investigation, you have the right to legal representation. The benefits of a Denver Title IX attorney extend beyond protecting your legal rights if the case becomes a criminal trial. A Title IX defense attorney can assist with your part of the investigation, help you gather evidence, and ensure you have a fair hearing.
Possible penalties in a Title IX case are severe. Although a college investigation is not a criminal case, you are still facing potentially serious sentences, including:
This record will also follow you if you transfer to another academic institution. Having an attorney at your side can limit some of the damage and help you avoid other penalties altogether.
The investigation process within a college or university moves quickly, much faster than standard state or federal criminal proceedings. Schools are under pressure to resolve issues efficiently and demonstrate that they are handling their Title IX problems according to federal guidelines. As a result, student defendants often do not have time to figure things out on their own. Among other benefits, a Denver attorney skilled in Title IX cases can review your case, find witnesses on your behalf, and present relevant evidence.
Just as importantly, your attorney can protect your rights by ensuring the school follows its own policies. The investigators and Title IX coordinators are rarely attorneys. They are there to protect the school’s interest, not yours or even the alleged victim’s. Having an attorney oversee your case can help keep the school and the case on track.
The most serious consequence of a Title IX case that stays on campus is expulsion from the school or the withholding of your diploma if you have already completed your degree program. However, if the case is referred to a law enforcement agency, you could also face criminal charges, making retaining a Title IX attorney in Denver all the more beneficial. If your case goes to a criminal trial, you already have an attorney who knows the case and your situation. Your attorney is prepared to begin defending you as soon as criminal charges are filed.
If the complainant or school files a civil complaint, your attorney may be able to assist you, or refer you to another attorney who can help you with a civil complaint. When you have an attorney at your side, any future difficulties are already prepared for.
The benefits of a Denver Title IX attorney during a school investigation include having someone by your side to intercept phone calls and emails from the media and other attorneys. Many Title IX cases are tried in the “court of public opinion,” and this can be stressful for students trying to continue attending classes and carry on with their lives during the investigation process.
At Petrash Law, we will give you the guidance and legal representation you need during and after the investigation. We will assist with any cross-examination during the hearing and prepare you for your own time on the stand. Call us for a free and confidential case review today.