Arizona Title IX Lawyer

Whether you are the victim or person accused of sexual assault or harassment at an Arizona school or college, an experienced attorney can greatly improve the chances of a smooth process and favorable outcome in your case.

The Title IX process generally involves the following steps:

• Letter or notice of investigation. The first step in a Title IX case at any school or college in Arizona is the Notice of Investigation. This is where the school will take the complainant’s formal complaint and notify the accused person in writing. The letter must summarize the nature of the allegations and inform the parties of their rights under Title IX.
• Meeting with school administrators. You will then be called to an official meeting with a Title IX coordinator from your school. They will explain the overall process and define the requirements expected of you under Title IX without going into overt detail regarding the allegations. They can also explain any possible supportive measures the school can take.
• Meeting with investigators. As either the accused party or the victim, an investigator appointed by the school will reach out to you and ask you questions regarding the allegations. For both parties, you retain the right to have legal counsel at your side during these meetings. These initial meetings with the investigator are crucial for both sides in establishing a consistent and strong position for the rest of the case. Be aware that law enforcement could also become involved in the investigation before or after this stage, and any statements by either party could eventually make their way into a criminal case.
• Preparing necessary reports. The investigator involved in the case will then prepare an initial report summarizing all the evidence and testimony of both parties that have been collected throughout their investigation.
• Responding to reports. Both parties will have the right to review these reports and respond to them or have their legal representation do so on their behalf. The parties can request that the investigator collect certain additional evidence or contact certain witnesses.
• Preparing for the live hearing. Some schools may set up live hearings to explore all legal findings in a case. At SBBL Law, we take the burden of the hearing off you by thoroughly preparing for all witness questioning, preparing you to testify, and challenging any evidence along the way. When schools conduct a hearing, the parties are not allowed to ask the other party questions directly, so an advisor is necessary at this stage.
• Making the official decision. Finally, the individual or panel making the decision, after reviewing the investigator’s report or listening to the live hearing if one is held, will decide if the allegations stand and if the accused party is guilty of violating Title IX.
• If either party is dissatisfied with the result, there is a limited avenue for appeal. The reasons to appeal are generally limited, such as challenging bias in the investigative process, presenting new evidence that was not previously available, or arguing that a procedural irregularity affected the outcome of the case.