Sexual assault allegations are handled with extreme passion from both university officers and law enforcement. We live in a time where students accused of sexual misconduct can have their names and futures ruined even if they’re not found guilty.
If convicted of sexual assault on a college campus, you could face:
- School suspension or expulsion
- A felony conviction
- Prison or jail time
- A spot on the sex-offender registry
It’s also important to note that sexual assault allegations that take place on college campuses are handled differently from those that took place off-campus. Meaning that the university may hold an administrative hearing to discuss additional penalties outside of a court of law.
Below, we provide some information to help you protect your name and your future.
Your University Isn’t on Your Side
With all the media attention universities have been receiving over the past years for numerous sex crimes, administrators are on red-alert. Unfortunately, that means that they are even more likely to assume the accused is guilty with little to no evidence.
It’s important to understand that, as the accused, your university is not on your side. Yes, Title IX legislation exists to help protect all students from discrimination. However, schools rarely extend those rights to individuals accused of sexual assault. It is for this reason that you must proceed with caution.
Gather Evidence
In traditional criminal cases, prosecutors must prove a crime occurred beyond all reasonable doubt, staying true to the phrase “innocent until proven guilty.” Unfortunately, when it comes to college campus sexual assault cases, most hearings are handled the opposite way. Meaning that the defendant must prove that the crime did not occur.
An experienced attorney can help document evidence that can support your innocence, which includes:
- Phone calls
- Text messages
- Emails
- Photographs
- Videos
- Eyewitnesses
Speak with The Law Offices of Jed Silverman
The unfortunate truth is that most students who have been falsely accused fail to speak with an attorney to discuss their rights until it is too late. The earlier you begin working on defending your rights with an experienced Houston criminal defense attorney, the better your chances are of protecting your future.
Give us a call today (713) 597-2221 for more information on how our team can help.