Title IX Defense Claims Lawyer in Dallas

Title IX Defense Claims Lawyer in Dallas

If you’re a student athlete and face allegations of sexual misconduct in the form of a Title IX complaint, Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter might be able to help. We can advocate for your rights and provide the defense you need to prove your innocence. You should not take your future into your own hands by trying to handle the litigation yourself. Your best chance at fighting against these allegations is to seek legal representation.

Title IX hearings are often handled poorly. The school system wants to resolve the allegations quickly, giving the defendant inadequate time to prepare. You’ll need an experienced and dedicated legal team on your side to guide you through the process. We understand what’s at stake and how to prepare for the legal road ahead.

When you hire us, we can take on the responsibility of your case from start to finish. That includes investigating the circumstances of the alleged sexual misconduct, gathering evidence, and communicating on your behalf with the institution handling the claim. We will be diligent in building a solid case to prove you did nothing wrong and don’t deserve to face any consequences.

Do not hesitate to contact Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter at (214) 845-7007 for an initial free consultation. One of our title IX defense claims lawyers can review the details of the complaint and determine the right strategy to reach a favorable outcome in your case.

Table Of Contents

    What Is Title IX?

    Title IX was passed in 1972 as part of the Education Amendments. It is a federal civil rights law protecting people in educational programs from discrimination based on sex and gender and sexual harassment. It applies to all institutions, including local and state educational agencies, receiving federal assistance from the Department of Education. Activities and programs in places like colleges and universities must not operate in a discriminatory manner.

    Additionally, any person accused of misconduct under Title IX is prohibited from retaliating against the person who made the claim. That could include adverse treatment against the reporting individual, such as:

    • Denying participation in athletics
    • Decreasing the amount of time spent playing
    • Changing to another position less desirable than the current one
    • Expulsion or suspension from the program or the educational institution
    • Harassment or other forms of misconduct during the program or while in class

    Title IX defines consent depending on the specific college, university, or another type of school. It will likely involve affirmative consent. This means both parties must mutually agree to the sexual activity before participating in it.

    Additionally, consent to engage in one sexual act does not necessarily mean one or both people consent to engage in another type of activity. Someone could also withdraw their consent at any time, even during the sexual conduct.

    How Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter Can Help

    At Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, we care about the clients we represent. You need and deserve someone who will fight for you. There are various strategies we could use against the allegations you’re facing. The one we choose will depend on the circumstances of the sexual misconduct. Once you retain our services, we can request copies of all documentation associated with the case and determine how we should defend you.

    The services Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter offers are two-fold: we can assist you through the Title IX hearing and also defend you in criminal court. Typically, when a student accuses another of sexual assault, they file a complaint with the school and might press criminal charges. If that happens, we can represent you in both cases.

    The educational institution is where Title IX claims are handled. Title IX claims are not criminal cases, and you don’t face criminal penalties, such as fines or jail time. However, you could face expulsion, suspension, or another academic form of discipline. Athletes in this position could get cut from the team, preventing any hopes of continuing a career in their chosen sport.

    There are many aspects of a Title IX case Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter can help you with. We can:

    • Review the allegations against you
    • Understand the specific policies and processes the school has for handling sexual misconduct
    • Walk you through the consequences you could face
    • Advise you about the potential outcomes that could result from the complaint
    • Prepare a thorough defense against the alleged conduct that took place, including investigating all details and obtaining evidence
    • Explain the rights afforded to you under Title IX and your school’s code of conduct
    • Participate in investigations or hearings by your school, as long as we are permitted to do so
    • Provide legal services and representation for the claim and criminal charges brought against you
    • Advocate for your right to due process under the law
    • Prepare for an appeal if necessary

    The Title IX defense lawyers of Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter know you’re facing an uncertain future. It can be highly stressful and overwhelming attending hearings and facing people who believe you’re guilty. You can depend on our team to fight by your side until the very end.

    Problems With Title IX Cases Involving Sexual Misconduct

    Although Title IX claims and criminal charges are serious situations, there are significant differences between the two. The procedures are different for both, and the penalties you could face are drastically different. One could result in expulsion, while the other could lead to imprisonment. Additionally, each case comes with varying rules regarding the rights the defendant has and the evidence required to rule in favor of the victim.

    Sexual misconduct cases on college campuses go through an administrative process. That means you’re afforded fewer rights than you would have if you were to go to court during a criminal case. Educational institutions tend to lack concern about the rights of the accused. They’re more worried about whether someone will sue them, whether it’s you or the victim. They could also lose federal funding or face fines from the government. That typically results in a speedy administrative process to resolve the case and avoid any backlash.

    Many athletes are innocent of the allegations made against them. However, colleges and universities take sexual misconduct claims seriously. They might not take into account the alleged perpetrator’s rights. Instead, they want to investigate every complaint they receive and aggressively pursue a resolution for each. That could result in harsh punishments despite a lack of solid evidence.

    The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution provide specific rights to individuals in the criminal justice system. That means you have a right to due process – the state cannot deprive you of life, liberty, or property without due process.

    Due process is the fair treatment you should be given while facing allegations of sexual misconduct. “Innocent until proven guilty” doesn’t seem to be something college administrators follow during Title IX hearings. They might decide that they believe the complaint before investigating the misconduct.

    Another common problem during these hearings is bias. Members of the panel are supposed to remain unbiased while investigating complaints of sexual assault on campus. However, many people have preconceived notions about men involved in situations like this. More men than women face these allegations, and the panel members might go into the hearing deciding the person the complaint was filed against is guilty without thoroughly reviewing the evidence.

    Why Choose Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter?

    The Title IX defense claims lawyers of Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter have a reputation for successfully defending our clients and reaching positive results. Our award-winning firm has been recognized by various legal organizations, including The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers and Texas Super Lawyers. We also hold a 10.0 rating from Avvo, the highest possible rating given to the top attorneys in the country.

    When you hire us, you’ll receive compassionate and dependable service. We believe our clients should have the opportunity to defend themselves against any allegations they’re facing. You have rights, but the university might not uphold these rights during the administrative process. We will be your advocate so you don’t face unfair treatment from the school board or members of the Title IX panel. With us by your side, you can feel confident knowing you’re in excellent hands.

    Our legal team has the experience, skills, and knowledge to create an effective strategy to prove your innocence. We will exhaust all resources to investigate the Title IX claim and locate crucial evidence to get the case dismissed. Our priority is to secure your future so you don’t face the consequences of expulsion from the school or a criminal sentence.

    Contact Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter

    A knowledgeable and dedicated Title IX claims defense lawyer will be happy to meet with you for a free consultation. We can review the details of your case and determine your available legal options. You will not be alone as you’re fighting these claims of sexual misconduct.

    We know you could end up with a ruined reputation if the institution decides that the allegations are true. You can count on us to guide you through these uncertain times and help you get back on your feet.

    If you’re a student athlete and face sexual misconduct complaints or criminal charges, contact Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter immediately. We will need to begin our investigation as soon as possible and gather all the necessary evidence to disprove the accuser’s claims. We can guide you through the administrative and criminal processes, so you don’t have to handle anything yourself.

    Call us right now at (214) 845-7007 for a free consultation.

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    TESTIMONIALS

    Recommendation for Mark LassiterI am pleased to write a letter of recommendation. I highly recommend Mark Lassiter to others who are seeking such assistance. His representation allowed me to do very little in my case. It was Mark’s proven expertise and his legal knowledge that was valuable in getting my case dismissed. In short, I recommend Mark enthusiastically without reservation and I do believe he would be a valuable asset to you.

    - Name Redacted

    dear Markplease accept this letter on my and Susan’s behalf. there is a powerful message and testimony we would like to share with you for the first time.for over a year the weight of what happened to Reid was heavy on our souls. at first we held great anger, resentment and disgust toward Angel (the passenger). it became evident after turning 21 the Angel has a severe alcohol problem which my son nor us fully understood. The arrest also brought us great disappointment, frustration and disheartenment toward Reid.We have found that God often surprises us with his answers to our prayers. Prior to the arrest was had been in prayer that God help turn Reid away from selfishness, childishness and destructive ways. We prayed that God move to change him toward everlasting values and better choices in his life. We believe that God answered that prayer with the arrest. We blamed ourselves for bringing this calamity but understood it would take something this powerful to reach him. There is no doubt in our minds this ordeal has placed a permanent imprint on his soul.during the many delays associated with this case we were able to put forgiveness in our hearts toward Angel. Also during the many delays the full weight of the case in our and Reid’s mind triggered conversations pertaining to life decisions and direction. Time allowed us the opportunity to be rid of the noise and cloudiness of our emotions. We believe this to be a part of the master plan that God was overseeing.Only today did the full story become revealed. During this case with all the odds against us can we say without question that God was in it. How else could the series of events occurred within the judicial process that could put the opportunity in to your mind that there was a way to victory. The entire morning Susan and i were in fervent prayer even after your told us we had only a 25% chance of winning.Grace is the receipt of a blessing that is undeserved. Reid did not deserve to win today. We all are eternally marked by the message of grace given to us and you were the instrument that brought the gift to our house. Thank you from bottom of our souls and may God bless and keep you all of your days.

    - Name Redacted

    Dear Mr. Lassiter,Today you saved my son’s life. When he received a DWI, it broke my heart because I knew it would be on his record forever. It would limit his options in life. He would be paying for his stupid mistake for the rest of his life. At 21 years of age he was overwhelmed with the depth of the problem he created for himself.I decided to find him the best lawyer in Dallas, and I did. I researched lawyers for two days, and then I found you. I knew from the moment I read about you that you were the one we needed. When I met you, I knew instantly that I had complete confidence in you. Even if the result had ended with my son being guilty, I would have had peace knowing that he had had THE BEST lawyer.Listening to you “own” the courtroom today was amazing. You told us in the morning that we only had about 25% chance to win; however, by the middle of the afternoon the case was over before the prosecutors even finished, and we won! What an incredible lawyer you are!I will be grateful forever to you. Your work has given my son a second chance. He left the courtroom today with a whole new perspective on life…thanks to you!Very sincerely,

    - Susan Ellis

    unless you are already a petty criminal with countless B and C misdemeanors and a misdemeanor A pending, a DWI charge might not really matter much – for all the others counts: Fight it with all you got – get the best professional to your side you can find!Why should you? A simple google search “Texas DWI penalties” will give you an idea what you are looking at: prison, probation, fines, classes, ignition interlock, insurance rate skyrockets and a criminal record for life (yes – this can happen even for a first time DWI in Texas) Now if you read until this point you probably are charged with a DWI (or simply board) and you are shopping for a lawyer – so some basic guidance:a) Same as in real life: You want to be surrounded by people who know what they are talking about. Nobody likes people who constantly brag around, through around the usual business buzz words which doesn’t mean anything. So: Get somebody who is specialized in this field, means if 50% or more of his work is in the field of defending DWI’s that’s probably a good indicator– Mark is one of them – talk to him you will see!b) Educate yourself – thanks to a wonderful innovation by DARPA (which you are using in this moment) you can read all about it: What happened the night before, what’s a SFT, what is a legal stop, how does an Intoxilyzer 5000 work and what flaws does it have, possible plea bargain options (not so tempting ones in TX anyway) – read the stuff, it’s out there and discuss it with your attorney – if he doesn’t want or can’t answer your questions, that’s a pretty good indicator that your sitting in the wrong office, run!– Mark WILL answer your questions – and I’m convinced you cannot surprise him with a question in your case that he can’t answer or will find an answer for you!c) Your lawyer should – more or less – from the beginning be willing to take your case to Trial, all the way. What do you have to lose? If you are a BAC 0.28 candidate and you plea it down to a misdemeanor B it technically looks better on paper – but it will still follow you for life (most employers wouldn’t even consider the difference or know it – a DWI is a DWI…) If you are a BAC 0.09 candidate your chances are even better – (did you know the Intoxilyzer 5000 gives himself a +-0.02 calibration margin? What now, is a BAC 0.09 and hour after driving now under the legal limit? Guess what, the state will state “off course NOT! The magic machine proved he’s Intoxicated and guilty!” That’s why you need a lawyer on your side who is willing to take it to trial!– Mark is a trial lawyer – those people don’t want to plea out, they need the courtroom as their stage, that’s what they love to do, that’s what they are good at – so let him do it for you!d) Money / Costs – completely neglect. This is not the time for price comparison. You are not out there to shop for new hardwood floor for your living room – you are out there to get the best possible outcome in a situation which initial will hurt you if convicted pretty bad (financially), possible cost you your job, destroy your reputation and will follow you around for the rest of your natural life.– Mark will not overcharge you for his service, in my opinion you are getting a great deal. If you have the feeling you cannot afford a lawyer like Mark put it into perspective: if you hire a $500 lawyer and plead guilty maybe to a DWI misdemeanor B, you will pay much more over the years in court costs, classes, probation fees, DPS surcharges, insurance and and and… But if you hire Mark, you have one of the best at your side, you have a real chance – off course Mark isn’t a magic wizard who can make everything go away in a moment’s notice, but 5,10,20 years down the road you don’t want to think “oh boy, I wish I would have fought this thing more aggressively back then…” I was already a bit into my case when I met Mark. Mark has a can do attitude, does not try to beat around the bush and most importantly: He looks at things, tries different avenues, seeks out weaknesses in the case base on the evidence presented – if you meet him, you will have the same experience. During our meetings we discussed alternatives and other options e.g. expert witnesses, jury trial, bench trial, plea agreement (even if he didn’t like that – Mark doesn’t want to plea, he wants to win for his clients)And here is the outcome:A clear acquittal – NOT GUILTY(even better than a dismissal which technically can be reopened by the DA within the statute of limitations – if I understood that right – Not guilty means you are not guilty, case expunged – that’s the end of it!)Mark’s services helped me to get the best possible outcome you can expect when you are charged with a (DWI / DUI) crime and I hope I will never see him again….. (under such circumstances J ) –

    - Daniel

    I would never use or recommend anyone else for anybody else for a criminal manner.

    - Cory M.
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