Your Best Defense Against Student Issues, Academic Misconduct, & Non-Academic Misconduct
Contact Axley for a Free Consultation
You have received an email from the University Division of Student Life or an investigator from the Title IX office telling you to contact them for a meeting within 48 hours. What should you do now?
It is imperative that you get experienced counsel to help you immediately. You have a short window of time to act or the University will conclude its investigation without your participation or input.
Our experienced university discipline attorney, Erika Bierma, has defended students at universities around the state and country. She understands how this investigation could affect your academic status on campus. Violations of the University code of conduct could cause you to be removed from the University and not be allowed to continue your education depending on the severity of the alleged violation. If the Title IX investigator believes that you are a danger to the student population, that person could seek to have you banned from campus immediately pending conclusion of the investigation. Attorney Bierma has the technical knowledge and skills needed to aggressively but compassionately assist you through this process and advocate to protect your academic status.
Note to Parents
If your son or daughter has a “clean record,” it is imperative to make every legal effort to keep your child’s record “clean.” Even tickets or other ordinance violations must be treated seriously. It is a common mistake to plead “no contest” to your child’s first infraction. However, if your child is cited or charged a second time – even years later – his or her first “no contest” conviction makes it much more difficult to successfully resolve – or obtain a favorable outcome – in the later case. Do everything within reason to keep the “first offense” off your child’s record. If you do not, and your child allegedly violates the law again, the prosecutor is more likely to file more serious charges and less likely to “give a break” to your child on the second offense.
Our Academic Misconduct Attorney
Partner • Madison
Attorney Bierma Handles Student Issues Related to:
Non-Academic
- Underage drinking
- Possession of marijuana
- Fake IDs
- Housing violations
- Any other violation that is based on an arrest, citation, or police contact
- Arrests at UW Football games
- Arrests at Mifflin
Academic
- Cheating/Plagiarism
- Collaboration on work/exams
- Use of internet/apps to obtain exam/homework/quiz information
- Replication of lab report
- AI usage on exams and projects
The last several years were not easy for our family but we had complete faith that Erika was steering us toward the best possible outcome. The results she obtained for our children across 3 serious episodes far exceeded what we had hoped would be possible. Erika returns phone calls same day. When we need to talk with her she always makes time. She’s organized, always prepared and never late. She “gets” her clients and understands what families are going through. She is extraordinarily kind and compassionate in addition to being extremely competent. Erika Bierma has our highest recommendation. She’s a credit to Axley and the entire legal profession. We speak highly of her and would strongly recommend her to anyone in need of her skill set.
What are the possible penalties I could face?
Letter of reprimand, alcohol/drug education, non-academic probation, suspension, or expulsion.
How long does the investigative process take?
It depends on the nature of the allegation. Underage drinking, ID violations, simple drug possession, resisting/obstructing can be concluded within 30-45 days. More serious investigations could take several months.
Should I hire a lawyer?
Absolutely! Anything said to the investigator can be used to determine the outcome of the university process but also could end up in the District Attorney’s file to be used in a possible prosecution.