Are you facing Title IX allegations at your college or university in Indianapolis, Indiana? What many students and faculty members fail to realize is that Title IX proceedings can trigger a parallel criminal investigation.
Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers is a trusted criminal defense firm that knows how Title IX cases and criminal charges intersect. Our Indianapolis Title IX attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience, and our team includes former prosecutors and former police officers who know how the other side builds its case. That perspective gives our clients a real advantage.
Reach out to us at (317) 759-2599 for a free consultation.
How Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers Can Help With a Title IX Case in Indianapolis, Indiana
A Title IX investigation in Indianapolis, IN, on its own can upend your education and your future. When criminal charges enter the picture, the stakes rise dramatically.
This isn’t the time to cut corners. When you retain our Indianapolis criminal defense attorneys, we can:
- Advise you on how your Title IX proceeding could affect a pending or potential criminal case
- Help you avoid making statements during the Title IX process that could be used against you in court
- Investigate the allegations and gather evidence to support your defense
- Challenge the credibility of the accusations and the strength of the evidence
- Represent you in criminal court hearings and at trial if charges are filed
- Work toward having your charges dismissed entirely
Call our law office in Indianapolis, IN, today to set up your free case review. Our Indianapolis college student defense attorneys are ready to help you.
What Is Title IX, and What Role Does It Play in a Criminal Context?
Title IX is a federal civil rights law passed in 1972 that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program receiving federal funding. Today, it is most commonly associated with how colleges and universities respond to allegations of sexual misconduct.
A Title IX proceeding is not technically a criminal case. However, the same alleged conduct that violates a school’s Title IX policy can also violate Indiana criminal law. Information developed during the campus process may also become relevant to law enforcement, subject to applicable privacy laws and other legal requirements.
Can Title IX Allegations Result in Criminal Charges Under Indiana Law?
Yes. Many of the behaviors investigated under Title IX also constitute criminal offenses in Indiana. For example, allegations of sexual assault in a Title IX complaint may also support charges under Indiana Code 35-42-4-1 (rape) or Indiana Code 35-42-4-8 (sexual battery).
These criminal charges carry severe penalties. A rape conviction in Indiana is generally a Level 3 felony punishable by 3 to 16 years in prison. Sexual battery is a Level 6 felony that can result in between six months and two and a half years of incarceration. Both offenses may also require registration as a sex offender, which can carry lifelong restrictions.
Title IX proceedings and criminal cases can move forward simultaneously. Statements made during a campus investigation could potentially become relevant to a separate criminal investigation or prosecution, depending on the circumstances and applicable disclosure rules.
Do Title IX Proceedings Use the Same Standard of Proof as Criminal Cases?
No. Criminal prosecutors must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. College disciplinary proceedings use different evidentiary standards under applicable rules and institutional policies. As a result, the same allegations can produce different outcomes in a campus proceeding and a criminal case.
What Defense Strategies Can I Raise in an Indianapolis Title IX Case?
No matter whether you are responding to a Title IX complaint or criminal charges, there are a number of defense strategies that may apply to your case. Early involvement from a qualified criminal defense attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome.
Some potential defense approaches include:
- Demonstrating that the alleged conduct was consensual
- Exposing inconsistencies or contradictions in the accuser’s statements
- Challenging evidence obtained through improper procedures or in violation of your constitutional rights
- Presenting witness testimony or other evidence that supports your account
- Arguing that the institution failed to follow proper Title IX procedures
The right defense depends entirely on the facts of your situation.
Contact an Indianapolis Title IX Attorney for Legal Help
Title IX allegations in Indianapolis can quickly escalate into criminal proceedings with life-altering consequences. The sooner you have legal representation, the better positioned you will be to protect your rights in both arenas.
At Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, our team brings over 100 years of combined legal experience and a unique perspective shaped by careers on both sides of the courtroom. Reach out to our Indianapolis Title IX lawyers today to schedule a free consultation.
