The Judicial System at Duquesne University What are the steps involved?
Judicial charges are submitted.
(Anyone may submit charges, but charges are predominantly filed by Residence Life Staff and Public Safety.)
|
The respondent(s)(person being charged)invited to initial meeting
with the Resident Director or Director of Judicial Affairs to discuss hearing options.
|
Hearing Options:
The Responsible Plea Waiver (student accepts responsibility by signing a waiver), or
Has a hearing either in one of two ways: An Administrative Hearing with either a Resident Director
(if they live in the Residence Hall) or the Director of Judicial Affairs OR a Judicial Board Hearing.
|
If they opt for the Responsible Plea Waiver, the incident ends at the initial meeting. The student signs the waiver and
accepts the sanction given. There are no grounds for appeal.
|
If the student opts for the Hearing, the Hearing is schedule. All parties who can give relevant testimony
are invited to participate. Witnesses are at the discretion of the Hearing Officer/Body.
|
At the Hearing, the Hearing Officer/Body is introduced and questions concerning rights or procedures are answered.
|
The charges are read for the record.
|
The Respondent enters a plea: Responsible or Not Responsible.
(If the student chooses not to attend their hearing, a Not Responsible Plea will be entered on their behalf.)
|
The Respondent and Complainant may bring an advisor to the Hearing (see specific Guidelines in Student Handbook).
The advisor is not allowed to speak directly to the Hearing Officer/Body and is only there to offer counseling and advising.
|
The Respondent may provide the board with character references either in person or by letter. These references are limited to two.
|
THE COMPLAINANT’S TESTIMONY _____ THE RESPONDENT’S TESTIMONY
| ||
The Complainant submits a statement of the |The Respondent submits a statement of the
incident, including evidence. |incident, including evidence.
| ||
The Respondent may ask questions. |The Complainant may ask questions.
| ||
The Hearing Officer/Body asks questions. |The Hearing Officer/Body asks questions.
| ||
The Complainant introduces witnesses who |The Respondent introduces witnesses who provide
provide a statement of the event(s). |a statement of the event(s).
| ||
The Respondent asks questions of the witnesses. |The Complainant asks questions of the witnesses.
| ||
The Hearing Officer/Body asks questions. |The Hearing Officer/Body asks questions.
| ||
This concludes the testimony by the Complainant. |This concludes the testimony by the Respondent.
|______
The Complainant submits a final statement.
|
The Respondent submits a final statement.
|
The Board deliberates in private until a decision is reached.
|
If the decision is “NOT RESPONSIBLE”If the decision is “RESPONSIBLE”
||
The Respondent is informed of the decision.The hearing body reviews any prior record in assessing the appropriate | sanction.
||
A decision letter is sent to the student.The Respondent is called back in and informed of the decision.
||
The case is closed and the record expunged.A letter is sent to the student of the decision and the appeal process.