Can I sue a junior college for violating my right to due process?

Asked in Tyler, TX - 6 months

I was expelled from college based on allegations that I violated the student code of conduct. I was never allowed to respond to the allegations. I was stopped for a traffic violation and my car was searched. I was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana. The school says that because I was arrested, I am guilty, so they did not follow their discipline policy, they just gave me a letter saying I was expelled..

Attorney Answers (2)

Christopher William Bennett

Austin Education Law Attorney

Licensed in TX

0

1

Answered 6 months ago. Public schools are required to provide some due process before expelling a student, though the due process required is far below that required in a criminal proceeding. Generally, a school has provided sufficient due process if it has given the student notice of the allegations against them and provided a hearing at which the student is given an opportunity to speak on his behalf before impartial decision-makers.

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Christine C McCall

Pasadena Administrative Law Lawyer

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Answered 6 months ago. Was this a private college? In a private college, the rules are whatever the school decides. In a public educational institution, there is a legal requirement that you have an opportunity to deny and defend. In fact, there is a strong argument that the public standard for process is also applicable to private colleges based on federal contributions and allowances, but that can get very complex.

Talk to an administrative law attorney in your region about making a formal demand for pre-expoulsion administrative process.

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