What happens if I just ignore it?.
Some respondents disengage entirely - out of fear, out of a belief that engaging legitimises the allegation, or because a lawyer told them to say nothing and they heard do nothing. The outcomes are the worst in this practice.
Nothing requires your participation, and nothing needs it.
The institution cannot compel attendance or answers. It also does not need them. The grievance process proceeds on the evidence before it, applies the standard of proof, and issues a determination. Where the only account in the file is the complainant’s and the only analysis is the investigator’s, the outcome is close to predetermined - not because the process is rigged, but because nobody put anything on the other side of the scale.
The two windows that close.
The evidence response and the report response are the most leveraged documents in the entire process, and both are time-limited. They are argument rather than testimony, which means they carry no Fifth Amendment cost and give a prosecutor nothing. A respondent who is genuinely unable to testify can still file both, and doing so is the single largest difference between a contested loss and an uncontested one.
What disengagement forecloses.
The appeal window runs from the date of the determination letter, whether or not it was read - typically three to ten days. And judicial review, where available, is decided on the record made below: an Article 78 court, a contract claim, or a due process action all work from the campus file. An empty file supports no argument, which means non-participation does not merely lose the hearing. It closes every route afterward.
The distinction that matters.
Silence and absence are different. Declining to answer questions while your advisor conducts a full cross-examination and you file written argument is a deliberate, frequently correct posture. Not opening the emails is not a posture at all. If you have been avoiding the file, the useful step today is to open the notice, find every deadline, preserve everything, and call someone before the next one passes.
Why you should call us.
If you are scrolling through search results trying to find someone to defend you, your search is over. You have found Spodek Law Group P.C. - and we are not your average defense firm. We know a thing or two about defending the accused in campus cases - and in the criminal courts that run alongside them. Over 50 years of combined experience, some of the toughest cases in the country, and we have come out on top. We have seen it all, and we empathise with you. We understand how frightening this is, and we have a legal team who can fight and win.
Unlike other attorneys who care about their reputation with the administrators and the prosecutors, our only goal is getting you the best outcome. We owe loyalty to only you. Our lawyers listen to you, your fears, and your goals. We care about your story, and that is where the work begins - by understanding and listening to you.
On billing, we are transparent about our fees, and there are no surprises. Choosing a lawyer is a big deal and cost is a real issue, so we are committed to being your champion irrespective of your ability to pay. Our firm has a simple belief: lawyers should only take on clients whom they can truly help. Many firms are mills that take every case through the door. We do not.
Working with us starts with a risk-free consultation, in person or over the phone. You can ask us anything, for as long as it takes, and we encourage you to ask the tough questions. We are available 24/7, we practise coast to coast, and every client has direct access to a partner. Call 212 300 5196 - an attorney answers.
