Woburn Title IX Defense Attorneys

Fighting For Students, Faculty, and Staff Throughout Massachusetts

If you or someone you know has been notified of a Title IX infraction, such as sexual harassment, assault, dating violence, or stalking, in Massachusetts, you must secure a proven Title IX defense attorney to protect your rights. You must have a knowledgeable Title IX lawyer in your corner to ensure effective legal representation and protect your rights.

The Title IX investigation process is imperfect and does not favor the accused. Make sure you secure a proven Title IX violation defense lawyer immediately. Contact Contant Law P.C. at our Woburn, MA, law offices to schedule a consultation so we can review your case and defend you against the Title IX violation.

The Possibility of Criminal Charges

Matters under Title IX are civil school discipline matters. However, there are often allegations of sexual assault or some other crime. While Contant Law is acting as an advisor for the civil Title IX violations in Massachusetts, the reality is there could be a separate, parallel criminal case moving forward as well. You want to ensure you have a proven criminal defense lawyer retained. It is important to remember that charges under Title IX and criminal charges can be filed at the same time. How one case proceeds does not depend on the other. The school does not have to wait for the police and/or criminal courts to finish with the criminal case before proceeding with a school discipline matter under Title IX.

As in the case of Title IX school discipline hearings, timing is critical. You want to make sure you or a loved one has the legal counsel needed to ensure you are protected from both the college discipline procedures, as well as law enforcement, which may seek to bring criminal charges.

Furthermore, you have certain rights in a criminal case that you do not have under Title IX. One such right is that you do not have to cooperate with or speak to the police. However, under Title IX, you have an obligation to cooperate with the investigation. Failure to do so could result in an unfavorable ruling against you in the college discipline matter.

Keep in mind that law enforcement and prosecutors in the criminal case may seek to obtain statements you make in the Title IX violation matter through a subpoena or other court order. They may then try to use those statements against you in a criminal court case. At Contant Law, our criminal defense attorneys have considerable experience in both arenas and can ensure that you are protected to the greatest extent possible.

Why is Title IX a Priority for Colleges and Universities?

Title IX is a federal law enacted to prohibit sex discrimination in any educational institution that receives government funding. Title IX also protects students, faculty, and staff from gender discrimination, sexual assault and sexual harassment. Any schools, colleges, or universities that do not comply with the standards outlined in Title IX risk losing their funding from the federal government. For this reason, schools, colleges, and universities take Title IX violations seriously.

When a complaint alleges a Title IX violation, the school must take appropriate steps, launch an investigation, and conduct a hearing at which all parties and any witnesses are subject to cross-examination. If found responsible by the hearing panel or decision maker, the accused could face various disciplinary actions, including a warning, suspension, on-campus restrictions, loss of housing, or even expulsion. The violation may also be noted in the accused’s academic record.

Can I Be Charged With a Crime After a Title IX Violation?

It should be stated that Title IX is not a criminal law, so violations do not constitute criminal charges. However, if the situation that initiated the Title IX investigation is found to have violated a state law, you could be charged with a crime.

Because of the potential legal issues that could accompany a Title IX violation, it is in your best interest to hire an attorney to help you navigate the investigative process and protect your rights.

Any accusation of a Title IX violation is a serious matter that must be handled immediately. Allow our attorneys to review your Title IX case to determine what legal strategies best suit your needs.

Can a College Student Still Attend School if They Have Been Accused of a Title IX Violation?

In most cases, an individual accused of a Title IX violation will still be permitted to attend school, although interim measures will be implemented to protect the accuser. The purpose of interim protective measures is to ensure the accuser feels safe. Standard protective measures include the accused being served a no-contact order preventing them from contacting the accuser or witnesses.

Other measures may include leaving campus housing and not attending campus events or classes with the accuser. Sometimes, although more rarely, students can be asked to leave campus until the investigation is completed.

Advisor vs. Attorney – Understanding Our Role in Your Title IX Defense

Advisor – this is an important nuance in the Title IX investigation process. In working with you, we at Contant Law are officially hired as your advisor even though we are criminal defense attorneys in Massachusetts. Title IX defense does not permit a defense lawyer to act on your behalf. Our role in defending your rights in a Title IX violation is as an advisor. Rest assured, we are with you every step of the way through the process. If there is also a criminal case filed, we can still be retained as your criminal defense attorney and act as your advisor for the Title IX violation proceedings in Massachusetts.

Difference Between Attorney and Advisor

Under the law, you are entitled to select whomever you choose to be your advisor throughout the Title IX violation process. The school cannot limit who you choose to be your advisor. However, in a Title IX process, your attorney’s role is different when acting as your advisor as opposed to other types of legal cases.

As your advisor, we will work with you to investigate the facts of the case and gather evidence to assist in your defense. We will assist you in preparing your initial written statement to ensure that it is clear, concise, and stresses the most relevant points of your defense. We will work with you to prepare for all investigative meetings and any hearings, including helping you draft your position statements, questions for the witnesses, and arguments to support your position. We will accompany you to all meetings with the college’s investigators or Title IX Coordinator and any hearings. We will offer advice, guidance, and support throughout.

However, as your Title IX advisor, our role is limited to those activities. While we are there to help, we cannot speak or act on your behalf. In most cases, your defense attorney is not allowed to interfere with the investigation or object to questions posed to you by the investigator. Your advisor is not allowed to make arguments, question, or cross-examine witnesses on your behalf during the Title IX violation hearings. These are actions you must perform yourself. In many cases, your advisor is not allowed to speak during the Title IX violation process, although you will be allowed to confer with us privately for advice and guidance throughout the process.

Time is essential. If you have been notified that you have been accused of a Title IX violation, your first step should be to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. Given the nuances of the Title IX process, you do not want to take the matter lightly to ensure you are protected from both the Title IX disciplinary procedures and law enforcement, which may seek to bring criminal charges.

Title IX Accusations: Don’t Go it Alone

Being accused of a Title IX violation is serious. If you are accused, you need to learn your rights, but unfortunately, the process can be confusing. We often find that clients who come to us for help with Title IX violation accusations have not been properly informed of the charges by their college and do not know what rights they have in the process. Trying to defend yourself on your own is a terrible idea. Going it alone and not knowing your rights can lead to some terrible and life-altering outcomes for you. Read more about the consequences of handling it on your own here:

If you are accused of a Title IX violation, there are a few simple steps to take immediately to protect yourself.

• Call Your Parents
  If you are over 18, your parents – even if they are paying your tuition – will not be informed of the accusation. Call your parents and tell them what is going on; ask for their help. If, for some reason, your parents are not available to you, call a trusted friend.
• Call a Lawyer
  Then find yourself legal help. Your college Title IX administrator is supposed to explain your rights to you, but you are better off talking to a lawyer and making sure you completely understand the accusations against you, your rights in the situation, and the best course of action to take to defend yourself.
• Learn Your Rights
  You have legal rights if you are accused of a Title IX violation. Sit down with your lawyer and be absolutely sure that you understand your rights. In addition, have your lawyer go over the restrictions that may be placed on you as you wait for your case to be decided.

Don’t try to defend yourself against Title IX violation charges on your own. You need help to ensure that your life is not changed forever. Contant Law specializes in defending the rights of the accused in Massachusetts. We are leaders in the defense of Title IX accusations. If you have been accused of a Title IX violation or need legal help of any kind, don’t go it alone, call or text us. Contant Law 617-227-8383.

Why is Contant Law P.C. the Right Choice for Title IX Violation Defense?

Contant Law P.C. defends the rights of the accused in Title IX violations in Massachusetts, advising students, faculty, staff, and coaches. Title IX violation allegations are serious, and not taking the appropriate actions can have a long-lasting impact on your professional reputation and community standing. Our Woburn Title IX defense attorneys have a proven record of successfully handling complex cases.

We have experienced and successful criminal defense attorneys in Woburn, MA, who are skilled in helping individuals accused of Title IX violations. Our law firm understands the legal intricacies of Title IX regulations and knows what it takes to represent clients and get results.

Our Woburn criminal lawyers will be with you every step of the way to prepare and advise you for a successful defense. Your ability to be prepared as early as possible can have an enormous impact on the outcome of your case. If you are in Woburn, the Greater Boston area, or in Middlesex County, contact our Woburn, Massachusetts, lawyers at (617) 221-8221 to schedule a free initial consultation and learn more about how we can help.