Kalamazoo College Disciplinary Defense Attorney

When students at a college are accused of a criminal offense or of violating the institution's code of conduct, officials can initiate disciplinary procedures. Protecting the rights of students during these procedures can be just as important as properly handling any related criminal charges.

At Willis Law, we help students combat college disciplinary actions and make sure that disciplinary procedures do not ruin their academic career. We represent students at Western Michigan University and other colleges and universities in Michigan.

It is important to realize that college disciplinary procedures do not necessarily replace the criminal justice system. Just because a case is pursued against you within your college or university does not mean you are safe from criminal charges. You need a knowledgeable lawyer to make sure you understand your rights.

How Do College Discipline Hearings Work?

Each college or university will have their own procedure for a disciplinary hearing. However, the steps for the process include:

• a complaint is made to the college / university
• the school investigates and asks for statements
• the school makes a decision of whether evidence warrants no further action or if a notice of violation will go out and require a student to attend disciplinary conference
• notice of violation requests the student appear at a hearing
• the student attends the hearing and may request mediation or alternative dispute resolution

College Disciplinary Procedures in MI

Hearings before disciplinary boards are a crucial step. Colleges and universities can pursue disciplinary action tied to a variety of alleged offenses, including:

• Underage drinking
• Drug possession
• Vandalism and property damage
• Sexual assault
• Traffic offenses
• Academic misconduct

Our goal is to achieve a positive solution to the issue at hand and to minimize the long-term impact of the arrest or disciplinary procedure. We will work hard to protect your child's promising future.

Contact the Right Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo Criminal Defense Law Firm

If you receive a charge letter or have reason to believe you are being investigated for a criminal offense or violation of the school's honor code, the time to act is now. To learn more about how we can help you protect your good standing, academic record and criminal record, contact us today for a free initial consultation.

We have three office locations in West Michigan: Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Paw Paw.