Student Conduct and Discipline: What to Do If You’re Accused of Violating University Rules
Oct. 13, 2025
It can be challenging to face accusations of violating university rules. Whether it’s an allegation of academic dishonesty, a housing violation, or misconduct during an event, it's common to feel anxious about your future. Disciplinary actions can affect your academic standing, career, and personal life. This is where a student conduct attorney can be of assistance.
At the Law Offices of Andrew C. Janecki in Santa Cruz, California, I’ve worked with students and families in Palo Alto, San Jose, San Francisco, and Berkeley. My practice is centered on providing people with clear guidance and helping them work through complicated university disciplinary processes. If you’ve been accused of misconduct, reach out to my firm today to discuss your options.
How Student Conduct Systems Work at Universities
Most universities in California have a code of conduct that outlines the expected behaviors and the consequences for breaking these rules. These policies cover a wide range of issues, including academic integrity, alcohol and drug use, harassment, and residence hall regulations.
When a violation is alleged, the case usually moves through the university’s student conduct office. This process often involves an investigation, hearings, and potential sanctions. Even though it’s not a courtroom, the outcome can carry significant consequences. That’s why working with a student conduct attorney is critical to protecting your academic future.
Common Violations Students Face
Universities define misconduct broadly, and students may be accused of issues that seem minor but are treated with serious consequences. Some of the most common student misconduct allegations include the following.
Academic dishonesty: Cheating, plagiarism, or using unauthorized resources during exams or assignments. Universities take these accusations very seriously because they go to the core of academic integrity. Even if a student believes the issue was a misunderstanding, such as improper citation or accidental collaboration, the consequences can still be severe.
Substance use violations: Alcohol possession in dorms, underage drinking, or drug-related incidents. These violations are common on campuses but can have outcomes that impact both student housing and overall enrollment status. A student may face housing removal, mandatory counseling, or disciplinary probation.
Harassment or misconduct: Involving disputes with peers, inappropriate behavior at events, or online conduct issues. These cases often involve sensitive circumstances and can be emotionally charged for everyone involved. Universities may apply broad definitions of harassment or misconduct, which means even unintentional actions can fall under scrutiny.
Housing rule violations: Breaching dormitory agreements, including noise complaints or hosting unauthorized guests. These violations may seem minor at first, but they can lead to serious disciplinary consequences. Repeated complaints or more serious issues, such as damage during a party, can result in the loss of on-campus housing privileges.
Property damage or theft: Misusing school resources or being accused of damaging university property. Even minor damage, such as accidentally breaking furniture in a residence hall, can be treated as a violation. Allegations of theft are taken particularly seriously and can have a lasting impact on a student’s disciplinary record.
While some violations may seem small, they can still create lasting consequences. Working with an experienced student conduct attorney as soon as possible can provide you with a stronger chance to address the allegations fairly.
Immediate Steps to Take After Being Accused
When you first learn of an accusation, it’s essential to stay calm and think carefully about your next steps. Reacting emotionally or ignoring the situation can exacerbate the problem. Instead, take practical action right away. Some of the immediate steps you should take include the following.
Review the notice of charges: Carefully read the letter or email sent by the university to understand the specific allegations against you. Pay attention to the important details such as the date, time, and location of the alleged violation, as well as the university policies being cited. This information forms the foundation of your response and helps you determine what evidence or witnesses may be relevant to your case.
Know your rights: Many schools have procedures that allow you to review evidence and present your side of the story. You may also be entitled to bring an advisor, request a hearing, or appeal the decision. Familiarizing yourself with these rights early on gives you a better chance of protecting yourself and avoiding unnecessary mistakes.
Avoid self-incrimination: Don’t give statements or written responses before seeking legal advice. What you say in the early stages can be used against you later, even if you think you’re simply explaining your perspective. Remaining cautious helps prevent unintentional admissions or misinterpretations that could weaken your defense.
Contact a student conduct attorney: A lawyer can help you understand the process and develop a strategy tailored to your case. Legal guidance can clarify deadlines, identify weaknesses in the university’s case, and build a defense that protects your education and future opportunities.
Taking these steps as soon as possible can help you avoid mistakes that might hurt your defense. It also signals to the university that you’re taking the matter seriously.
How to Prepare for a University Hearing
If your case proceeds to a conduct hearing, it's essential to prepare adequately for it. While universities structure hearings differently from courts, they usually share several standard features.
A conduct officer or panel will often be responsible for overseeing the case, and you may have the opportunity to present witnesses or evidence in your defense. At the same time, university staff or students may be called to testify against you, and you’ll be given a chance to explain your side of the story.
Since the outcome of these hearings can carry significant consequences, it’s wise to work closely with a lawyer who can help you review the evidence, craft your statement, and identify potential weaknesses in the case presented against you. Even though these hearings aren’t the same as courtroom trials, they still demand thoughtful and thorough preparation.
Possible Consequences of Violations
The outcomes of student conduct cases can vary widely depending on the specific allegations, but there are several common sanctions that universities often impose. In some situations, a student may receive a written warning, which is then documented as a formal note in their record.
More serious cases might result in probation, a period during which any additional violations can lead to harsher penalties. Housing-related issues may result in the loss of residence hall privileges, requiring a student to find alternative living arrangements. In more severe circumstances, a university may issue a suspension, temporarily removing the student from the school.
The most serious outcome is expulsion, which permanently dismisses the student and can affect future academic opportunities. Since these sanctions carry significant consequences for both education and career, it’s essential to approach the process with seriousness.
By working with a student conduct attorney, students can take steps to minimize potential penalties or, in some cases, have the allegations dismissed altogether. To work with an experienced attorney, contact me at the Law Offices of Andrew C. Janecki today.
Building a Strong Defense
Crafting an effective defense often involves more than simply denying allegations. Instead, you’ll need to present a clear and organized case. Some ways you can build a strong defense include:
Collecting evidence: Emails, messages, or assignment drafts that show your version of events. Documentation provides a clear timeline and context, which can be crucial when contesting allegations or disproving inaccurate claims made against you.
Gathering witnesses: Friends, classmates, or professors who can confirm your account. Witness testimony adds credibility to your defense, especially when multiple perspectives align with your version of events.
Challenging procedures: Identifying instances where the university may not have adhered to its own conduct policies. Highlighting errors in how the process was handled can sometimes result in reduced sanctions or dismissal of the case.
Showing mitigating factors: Demonstrating that circumstances contributed to the issue, such as stress or misunderstanding. Providing context helps the decision-makers see the situation more fully, and it may lead to less severe outcomes.
A student conduct attorney can help you present this information in a way that supports your position and strengthens your defense. Without proper representation, it’s easy to overlook details that could make a big difference in your case.
Contact a Skilled Student Conduct Attorney
Allegations of misconduct can disrupt your academic life and threaten your long-term goals. You don’t have to go through this process on your own. With the support of a student conduct attorney, you can take meaningful steps to defend yourself and secure your future.
At the Law Offices of Andrew C. Janecki in Santa Cruz, California, I work directly with students and their families in the areas of Palo Alto, San Jose, San Francisco, and Berkeley. I understand how stressful these cases can be, and I’m here to provide practical guidance every step of the way. Contact me today to discuss your case and learn how I can assist you in moving forward.