College and University Discipline

Rankin & Sultan provides representation to university and high school students and employees accused of violating institutional codes of conduct, from plagiarism to sexual assault and other serious crimes.  This is becoming an increasingly important part of our practice as colleges and universities are under political pressure to treat their accused students as criminals and to subject them to catastrophic sanctions on flimsy evidence without affording them basic due process.  

College and university disciplinary proceedings vary tremendously from school to school. Different schools have different policies regarding what evidence the accused can present, access to witnesses and information from the accuser, who is entitled to be present at a hearing, and even whether there is to be a hearing at all!  Rankin & Sultan guides our clients through this complex and perilous thicket.  At Rankin & Sultan, we approach college and university disciplinary proceedings much like a criminal case. We will investigate the charges, interview witnesses, and fight to rebut false allegations through all available means.   Where it is in our client’s best interest to admit that some violation of rules has occurred, Rankin & Sultan seeks to minimize the collateral consequences of an adverse decision, especially when it affects our client’s financial aid package or student visa.

In some cases, students or employees are accused of misconduct which is criminal in nature. Thus, they face both the institutional disciplinary process and actual or potential criminal charges simultaneously. This is a thorny thicket, full of pitfalls, so every step needs to be carefully analyzed and options weighed. Students who agree to be interviewed as part of the disciplinary process may find their words used against them in a criminal prosecution. Students who refuse to be interviewed may suffer an adverse inference and adverse findings in the disciplinary case.  In these perilous circumstances, investigation must proceed rapidly so informed tactical decisions can be made. If you or a family member are in this predicament, experienced, knowledgeable counsel must be consulted as quickly as possible. Please contact us for a free initial consultation.