Title IX Violations Attorney in New Brunswick

Your Advocates for Title IX Law in New Brunswick, NJ

When you need a Title IX attorney in New Brunswick, you want clear communication, dedicated support, and a legal team that understands both the local courts and campus processes. At Roberts & Teeter, LLC, we focus on representing individuals facing Title IX proceedings, helping students, faculty, and staff navigate complicated investigations at Rutgers and other New Brunswick schools. 

New Brunswick is a vibrant university city, home to Rutgers University and several colleges, each with its own Title IX procedures and resources. These institutional differences can affect how your school handles Title IX claims and the resources available during the process. Because local policies change, our team follows updates and procedural shifts closely, so your case benefits from the most current approach.

Don't let a Title IX allegation define your future. Contact our Title IX violations attorney in New Brunswick now—we offer affordable services, we offer free consultations and 24/7 availability. Call (732) 607-5553 or reach out online.

The Double Jeopardy Threat: Title IX and Criminal Exposure

The single most terrifying aspect of a Title IX accusation is the double jeopardy threat: you face two separate, simultaneous legal processes with different rules and different standards of proof.

1. The University's Title IX Process (Administrative/Civil)

This process is governed by the federal Title IX statute and the institution's internal code of conduct. The potential punishments are academic and reputational: suspension, expulsion, and the resulting non-transferable disciplinary notation on your record.

• Low Standard of Proof: The university does not need to prove guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt." Instead, they operate on a "preponderance of the evidence" standard, meaning the university panel only has to be convinced that the violation was "more likely than not" (just over 50%) to have occurred.
• Adversarial Hearing: The Department of Education's rules mandate a live hearing where you (through your advisor) have the right to cross-examine the accuser and witnesses. This requires a Title IX violations attorney in New Brunswick experienced in aggressive, sensitive cross-examination techniques.

2. The Criminal Justice Process

The same alleged conduct can lead to criminal charges in New Brunswick, such as Sexual Assault, Criminal Sexual Contact, or Harassment.

• Risk of Self-Incrimination: Any statements you make during the campus Title IX investigation—no matter how innocent you believe them to be—can be turned over to law enforcement and used against you in a criminal case. Never speak to campus investigators without legal counsel.

Our firm’s comprehensive defense manages both of these high-stakes tracks, coordinating statements and strategy to protect your rights in both the university hearing and the courtroom.

The Title IX Investigation Process in New Brunswick

The Title IX process moves quickly and can feel overwhelmingly one-sided. An immediate, strategic response from your New Brunswick Title IX lawyer is essential for a favorable outcome.

• Stage 1: The Initial Complaint and Notification You will receive written notification of the specific allegations, including the name of the complainant and the date, time, and location of the alleged incident. At this point, the university often imposes Interim Measures, such as a No-Contact Directive, temporary exclusion from student groups, or even temporary suspension from campus housing. We immediately challenge any unjust or overly restrictive interim measures.
• Stage 2: The Formal Investigation A Title IX Investigator (either a school employee or an outside party) is appointed to gather evidence, which includes:
  • Interviewing the Complainant and the Respondent (you).
  • Interviewing witnesses.
  • Collecting physical evidence (texts, emails, photos, social media).
  • The Investigator produces a preliminary report which both parties must be allowed to review and respond to.
• Stage 3: The Live Hearing This is your trial before the university. A Decision-Maker or panel of administrators hears testimony, reviews the evidence, and ultimately determines responsibility based on the "preponderance of the evidence" standard. Your advisor (your Title IX violations attorney in New Brunswick) is responsible for questioning the other party and witnesses on your behalf.
• Stage 4: Sanctions and Appeal If the finding is "responsible," the university will impose sanctions (which can include expulsion). You will typically have a limited period (often just 5 to 10 days) to file an appeal based on narrow grounds, such as a procedural error or new evidence.

Critical Defense Strategies for the Accused Student

The procedural, evidentiary, and psychological disadvantages faced by an accused student are significant. We combat this imbalance with a proactive, evidence-based defense that relies on decades of courtroom experience.

Attacking Procedural Failures

Title IX regulations are complex, and universities frequently make errors. We challenge every procedural misstep, including:

• Failure to provide adequate and timely notice of the allegations.
• Evidence of bias or conflict of interest by the investigator or decision-makers.
• Improper restriction of evidence or denial of the right to cross-examination.
• Failure to follow the school's own internal Title IX policy. 

A successful challenge to procedure can lead to the entire case being remanded or dismissed.

Rigorous Cross-Examination

This is where the difference between a school-provided advisor and a seasoned New Brunswick Title IX lawyer is most apparent. Our attorneys are trained in litigation and use the cross-examination opportunity at the live hearing to:

• Expose inconsistencies and contradictions in the accuser’s account.
• Introduce evidence of prior relationships, communication, or conduct that establishes consent.
• Test the reliability and bias of hostile witnesses.

Comprehensive Evidence Submission

We gather and present affirmative defense evidence that the university may ignore, including:

• Cell phone metadata and texts/emails showing contact after the alleged incident.
• Witness testimony regarding the context of the incident, including the consumption of alcohol or social dynamics.

Affirmative Consent: In New Jersey, many universities define consent as affirmative, conscious, and voluntary agreement. We build a defense demonstrating that the accused reasonably believed such consent was given.

Protecting Against Criminal Charges

Crucially, we maintain silence on the criminal front while strategically participating in the Title IX process. We advise you on the Fifth Amendment implications of every statement, ensuring we manage the flow of information to prevent the university from generating evidence that the local prosecutor can use to indict you.

Contact a Title IX Attorney in New Brunswick for Trusted Guidance

Speak directly with a Title IX lawyer at Roberts & Teeter, LLC in New Brunswick, NJ. Your first consultation is free and confidential. We explain your rights, discuss possible strategies, and help you find a path forward that protects your education and reputation. 

For clear answers and dedicated legal support, call (732) 607-5553 or reach out online today.