Being accused of a Title IX offense in college can be devastating. You may face criminal charges, action from your school’s disciplinary board, and the ruination of your reputation. The good news is that no matter how bad it may seem, there are defense options available to you. Contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 to talk to a criminal defense attorney who can help.
Understanding What Title IX Is
The first step is to truly understand what this crime is. Title IX is a federal civil rights law that was passed in 1972 as part of the Education Amendments Act. It is designed to protect people from being discriminated against in educational activities and programs that get federal funding. The law holds that no person shall be excluded from participation or be discriminated against due to their sex.
State and local agencies – along with any other institution that receives federal funding from the Department of Education – is subject to Title IX. In addition to operating in a nondiscriminatory manner, they are also prohibited from retaliating against anyone for filing charges, testifying for, or participating in any type of complaint under Title IX.
Being Charged with Sexual Assault Under Title IX
There have been many examples in the news in recent years of Title IX being used to schedule hearings for alleged physical and sexual assault. While the idea behind Title IX is good, it can unfortunately be used to hurt students who have not even had a chance to defend themselves. It is too often the case that a student accused of a college crime is treated as guilty until they are proven innocent.
Not only can they end up facing criminal charges, but they can also face Title IX proceedings by their university. This can result in expulsion or suspension without enough evidence to support it. Preventing this from happening is just one reason to work with a criminal defense attorney. Remember that Law Office of Michael L. Fell can help with both criminal charges and appearances in front of the school disciplinary board.
How to Defend Yourself Against Title IX Violation Accusations
The fact of the matter is that though you do have due process on campus, these hearings provide weaker rights than you would get in a legal court. That said, you do have the right to have an advocate in the proceedings. This should be an attorney who can investigate the accusations and provide the best possible defense options.
When you work with Law Office of Michael L. Fell we can talk to everyone involved (including witnesses), investigate the alleged misconduct, look on social media for additional evidence, and, if there is a wealth of evidence against you, negotiate with the Board in an attempt to prevent expulsion or suspension. Contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell now at (949) 585-9055 to get the legal process started.