Your son has been accused. What you can and cannot do.
Parents call this firm more often than students do, usually within hours, usually having already done one or two of the things on the list of what not to do. This page exists because the parental instinct to intervene directly is both entirely understandable and reliably harmful.
Why the school may not speak to you.
Once a student is enrolled at a college or university, education-record protections generally run to the student rather than the parent, and institutions frequently decline to discuss a disciplinary matter with a parent absent a written release. Many will not notify a parent that a case exists. This surprises families who are paying tuition, and it is one of the practical reasons to have counsel formally authorised - counsel can be included, can obtain documents, and can hold the institution to its procedure in a way an unauthorised parent cannot.
The email that causes the damage.
The single most common parental error is writing directly to the dean, the coordinator, or a faculty member. That message enters the file. It frequently contains a characterisation of the complainant, an account of the night obtained second-hand, or an expression of regret - each of which is then attributed to the respondent. Where the tone is angry, it supports an argument that the family is pressuring participants. There is no version of that email which improves the case.
Contact with the other family.
Never, under any circumstances, and this includes messages intended to be conciliatory. Contact by a parent is routinely treated as retaliation or interference attributable to the respondent, and where a no-contact directive is in place it can support a contempt charge. The same applies to siblings, family friends, and anyone acting with apparent authority from your household.
Where parental effort actually helps.
Logistics and structure. Tracking every deadline in the policy. Obtaining the policy version in force on the date alleged. Keeping the document set organised. Ensuring preservation happened properly and nothing was deleted. Briefing siblings and friends to stay silent online. Flagging immigration status or a licensure track on the first call, because both change the strategy. And getting counsel engaged in the first week rather than after the interview - which is the one intervention that consistently changes outcomes.
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.
