Receiving a disciplinary decision from your institution can be intimidating, particularly if the result includes suspension, probation, or even expulsion. Attorneys such as our friends at K Altman Law know that many pupils think there is nothing they can accomplish after the decision has been made, but this isn’t accurate. Appealing a university discipline judgment is a strategic and time-sensitive process. Failing to file a feeble appeal or acting swiftly could result in the loss of your last opportunity to cleanse your record.
Gaining Insight On The College Appeals Process
Every college and university has its own rules for appealing disciplinary decisions. Generally speaking, the student handbook or code of behavior includes information of this nature. As a formal demand for the school to change its decision based on particular standards, an appeal is not a second hearing.
Usually, when you get the disciplinary judgment, you have a quick deadline—sometimes as little as three to five business days—to turn in your appeal. Usually an appellate officer or an independent committee looks at the appeal and may uphold, change, or reject the initial decision.
Causes For Challenging A Disciplinary Action
Not every student may appeal just because they dislike the result. Colleges usually approve appeals only on a few reasons:
- Valid grounds for appeal exist if the school broke its own disciplinary rules and those mistakes influenced the conclusion of your case. Examples are failing to be notified of the accusations or losing the chance to offer proof.
- If you have found fresh evidence that was not presented during the first hearing and might drastically affect the outcome, you can bring it up on appeal.
- You can object as unfair if the penalty you got is unreasonably severe relative to the kind of the claimed misbehavior or to other students in comparable circumstances.
Should the decision-makers in your case exhibited prejudice or had a conflict of interest, this could be a compelling reason for appeal. An experienced education lawyer can help you analyze your case and help you determine if you have grounds for an appeal.
Procedures To Follow When Challenging A Disciplinary Action
Thoroughly Read the Policies and Decision Letter
First, read the letter informing you of the disciplinary action and your school’s appeals policy very carefully. Pay particular attention to the deadline, the permissible reasons for appeal, and any advice about how and where to send your appeal.
Act Fast
Missing the deadline almost always means losing your right to appeal; appeal deadlines are rigorous. Begin working on your appeal the moment you get the judgement.
Locate the Strongest Basis
Don’t just rephrase your opposition to the result. Emphasize the permitted reasons—procedural mistakes or fresh evidence—in your appeal. Find which of these reasons fits your case and center your appeal on it.
Collect Backing Documentation
Include papers demonstrating the school’s deviation from its rules if you are alleging procedural mistakes. Explain why previously unavailable evidence is now available and how it alters the case. Be brief and transparent in presenting your evidence.
Compose a Convincing Appeal Letter
Professional, fact-based, and focused your appeal letter should be. Avoid emotional language or attacking the school. Rather, explicitly state your justifications for appeal, highlight the most important facts, and justify the decision’s reevaluation. Ask for a particular result—that of a lessened sanction or a new hearing, if at all feasible.
The Value Of Acting Swiftly And Intently
You must act right away since appeal deadlines are so brief. Waiting too long to collect proof or compose your letter can deny you the chance to contest the verdict. Moreover, you should treat the appeal with the same gravitas as the initial hearing. It is improbable that a hurried or badly written appeal will work.
The stakes are particularly great if the disciplinary action entails expulsion or suspension, i. e. serious penalties. These results have an impact on your aptitude to seek professional licenses, apply to graduate programs, or change schools. Many students therefore decide to work with a seasoned student defense attorney during the appeal procedure.
Contact An Attorney Today
Many times, colleges have entire legal teams assisting in the enforcement of their discipline policies. You’re at a significant disadvantage as a student if you try to negotiate the appeals process alone. An attorney focusing on student defense can look over the policies of the institution and pinpoint infractions and write a persuasive, evidence-based appeal letter as well as advise you on the probability of success for every grounds of appeal. Additionally, an attorney will represent you in all negotiations and hearings.