College Campus Proceedings

If you’re facing a college disciplinary proceeding, it’s not just a school matter—it can affect your future, your education, and your reputation. These cases often move quickly, and once the school starts investigating, the stakes are high. You could be looking at suspension, expulsion, or even parallel criminal charges depending on the allegations. That’s why it’s critical to speak with a criminal defense lawyer immediately. A lawyer can help protect your rights from the start, guide you through interviews and hearings, and make sure you don’t say or do anything that could hurt your case. Without the right help, you could make costly mistakes that can’t be undone. In the following sections, Hubbard Law Firm explains what you need to know about college campus disciplinary proceedings—and how a college student defense lawyer plays a key role in defending you every step of the way.

What Happens If You’re Accused of Breaking a College’s Student Conduct Code

Colleges in North Carolina set rules about behavior through a student code of conduct. You might be accused of violating this code for things like alcohol or drug use, fighting, harassment, threats, vandalism, hazing, or violating dorm policies. If that happens, your school may initiate a disciplinary proceeding that could have serious consequences for your academic standing and your future.

Most colleges in North Carolina handle non-academic violations through their Office of Student Conduct or similar department. Depending on the school, you could face a one-on-one meeting, a panel hearing, or an administrative process. Some cases also fall under federal Title IX regulations, especially if they involve allegations of sexual misconduct. This is why students need a defense for sexual misconduct hearings in college.

Penalties range widely. A minor infraction could result in a warning or probation, while more serious ones could mean suspension, expulsion, or a permanent mark on your academic record. Even if criminal charges aren’t involved, these school processes can move fast and be difficult to navigate. You’ll typically be notified of the charge and given a hearing date, but you may have very little time to prepare. The consequences can affect your ability to transfer, attend graduate school, or apply for jobs.

How a Student Honor Court Works at Some North Carolina Schools

At some public universities in North Carolina, particularly in the UNC system, Honor Courts are used to resolve certain violations.

Honor Courts are often made up entirely of students who serve as judges, advocates, and jurors in hearings related to academic or conduct violations. While they’re designed to promote student accountability and peer judgment, the rules in these settings can be unfamiliar, and the outcomes are still very serious.

Under North Carolina law, students don’t have a right to be represented by a lawyer or advocate if their school has a functioning Honor Court staffed entirely by students. That means you’ll need to prepare to represent yourself or rely on informal advice ahead of time. These courts can hear cases involving plagiarism, cheating, lying to university officials, or even some behavioral issues.

Every school that uses an Honor Court will have its own specific policies, so you’ll need to review those closely. If your case involves both academic and conduct issues—or potential criminal allegations—you may face multiple proceedings. A lawyer familiar with the college’s specific system can help you anticipate how each part might play out. If you’re facing allegations, speak with an attorney for university academic misconduct in Raleigh.

Can You Have a North Carolina College Student Defense Lawyer With You at a College Disciplinary Hearing?

Students at public universities in North Carolina generally have the right to legal representation during school disciplinary procedures.

The key law is G.S. § 116-40.11. It gives students accused of violating a school’s code of conduct the right to be represented, at their own expense, by a licensed attorney or nonattorney advocate. This advocate can fully participate in the disciplinary process, including hearings, interviews, and appeals—except in two major situations.

First, if the case is being handled by an Honor Court, you aren’t allowed to have a lawyer present. Second, if the allegation is one of “academic dishonesty” (like plagiarism or cheating), the law does not provide the same right to counsel during hearings. However, even in these situations, you can work with a lawyer beforehand to prepare statements, understand your rights, and organize your defense.

Many schools won’t tell you about this right unless you ask. Even when they do, they might limit how your lawyer can participate. Some schools only allow lawyers to sit silently or act as advisors. Others allow active representation. Understanding your school’s rules—and pushing back when needed—is crucial.

What to Do If You’re Facing Academic Misconduct or Cheating Allegations

Academic misconduct cases are often among the most stressful because they strike at the heart of a student’s credibility and academic future.

These cases usually involve accusations like plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, cheating during exams, or falsifying data or records. Unlike other disciplinary matters, academic misconduct hearings typically limit your ability to have legal counsel directly involved. North Carolina law explicitly says that the right to representation does not extend to academic dishonesty cases if the institution defines it as such.

But that doesn’t mean you should face these allegations alone. A criminal defense attorney experienced in college hearings can help you draft your response, understand the evidence, and prepare for your hearing—even if they’re not allowed to speak during it. This kind of preparation can make a major difference in the outcome.

Many schools allow appeals if you’re found responsible. Those appeals can be based on procedural errors, new evidence, or inconsistent sanctions. If you’re dealing with an academic integrity charge, don’t wait. Early preparation can protect your transcript and your reputation.

Do You Need a Title IX or Student Conduct Attorney?

Title IX cases often involve extremely serious allegations and procedures that are different from standard disciplinary matters.

When a student is accused of sexual harassment, assault, stalking, or other misconduct covered by Title IX, the college is legally required to follow a formal investigation and adjudication process. While some of the protections vary by school, the stakes are almost always high—disciplinary action, academic penalties, and even criminal exposure.

You are allowed to have a lawyer represent you during Title IX proceedings at most colleges in North Carolina. These processes may involve multiple stages: a formal complaint, investigation, hearing, and possible appeal. An experienced Title IX defense lawyer can help prepare your response, attend interviews, cross-examine witnesses (when allowed), and raise procedural challenges.

These are not cases you want to face alone. The school may also be talking with law enforcement, meaning that anything you say in a campus interview could be used in a criminal prosecution. Legal guidance is essential from the moment you are notified, so contact a Raleigh Title IX defense lawyer for university students.

What Rights Do Students Have in Campus Hearings?

The North Carolina Campus Free Speech Act, under G.S. § 116-300, sets out specific protections for students involved in disciplinary cases.

Students have the right to receive advance written notice of the charges, review evidence, confront witnesses, present their own defense, call witnesses, and have their case decided by an impartial panel or decision-maker. They also have the right to appeal the decision and, consistent with other laws, to have the assistance of legal counsel.

Despite these protections, campus hearings don’t follow the same rules as courts. The evidentiary standards are lower, and schools often rely on vague or subjective conduct rules. Enforcement of these rights also varies widely by school. Some provide robust process; others rush students through with little notice.

A lawyer can help ensure these rights are honored, identify when rules have been broken, and push for fair treatment. If your rights were violated, that could be grounds for an appeal or even legal action.

Can You Appeal a Suspension or Expulsion From a North Carolina College?

Most colleges in North Carolina allow students to appeal serious sanctions, but the process is often fast and highly technical.

To succeed in an appeal, you generally need to show that the original hearing involved a procedural error, that the sanction was overly harsh, or that new evidence has emerged. Each school has its own rules and timeline—some give you as few as five business days to file.

An appeal isn’t just a second chance to argue your case. It’s a specific legal process. You usually have to submit a written statement, cite exact policy violations, and sometimes appear before an appellate board or dean. The process can be confusing and intimidating.

If you’ve been suspended or expelled—or are at risk of it—you should speak with a lawyer immediately. An experienced lawyer for college suspension appeal can review the hearing record, identify errors, and craft a compelling appeal on your behalf.

Getting Legal Help for Student Conduct Violations in NC Colleges

Attorney Meredith Hubbard has represented more than 100 students, coaches, and professors at both public and private universities throughout North Carolina. These institutions span a wide range of sizes and affiliations, demonstrating a depth of experience navigating diverse disciplinary systems.