Title IX Violations in Iowa City

Criminal Defense Counsel for University of Iowa Students Facing Sexual Misconduct Allegations

Keegan, Tindal & Jaeger has defended Iowa clients against serious sex crime charges for over three decades, and our attorneys have helped college students navigate university regulations alongside criminal matters throughout that time. We bring more than 50 years of combined legal experience to every case we handle.

If you or your student received a Notice of Allegation from the University of Iowa, contact us for a free consultation. Our Iowa City attorneys are available now at (319) 499-5524.

What the University of Iowa’s Policy Actually Covers

The University of Iowa’s Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy covers a wide range of conduct. For Title IX purposes, “sexual harassment” includes sexual assault, stalking, and dating or domestic violence, consistent with federal Title IX Regulation 106.30. “Sexual misconduct” is defined more broadly as any unwelcome sexual behavior committed without consent or through force, intimidation, coercion, or manipulation.

The consequences of a finding of responsibility are serious. The Office of Student Accountability consults with the Title IX Coordinator to determine and impose sanctions, which can include suspension or expulsion. A student’s degree can also be withheld until the entire accountability process and any resulting sanctions are completed, even if all academic requirements have otherwise been satisfied.

How the University of Iowa Resolves a Formal Title IX Complaint

The Title IX Coordinator determines which resolution track applies to a given complaint. Which track applies shapes everything about how you respond.

Process A vs. Process B

Process A applies when the alleged conduct constitutes Title IX sexual harassment or would likely result in suspension or expulsion. It includes a live hearing. Process B applies to prohibited conduct that wouldn’t result in suspension or expulsion; there is no live hearing, and the investigator makes the responsibility determination directly. A third option, adaptable resolution, is a voluntary informal process such as mediation or restorative justice, available before any responsibility determination, though it isn’t appropriate in every situation.

Advisors, Evidence Standard, & Appeals

The university recognizes three advisor roles: a support advisor, a hearing advisor, and a legal advisor. Our attorneys can serve as your legal advisor throughout the investigation and, in a Process A case, at the live hearing itself. Findings are made under a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard, meaning the university decides whether it is more likely than not that a violation occurred. If you disagree with the outcome, you may submit a written Request for Appeal within 5 days of the Notice of Outcome on grounds including procedural irregularity, newly available evidence, coordinator or investigator bias, or a decision unsupported by substantial evidence.

When a Campus Allegation Becomes a Criminal Matter

The university’s disciplinary process and Iowa’s criminal justice system run independently. A complainant can report the same conduct to police at any time, and a Title IX investigation continues regardless of whether law enforcement gets involved. The university can open disciplinary proceedings as soon as it learns of an allegation, sometimes before a student has appeared in court.

That overlap creates real risk. A statement made during a university interview can surface in a criminal proceeding. A criminal conviction for a sex offense carries consequences entirely separate from campus sanctions: potential incarceration, sex offender registration, and a permanent record. Our attorneys have obtained not guilty verdicts and acquittals for clients facing serious sex crime charges in Iowa courts, and we understand how decisions made in the campus process can affect what happens in the courtroom.

How We Defend University of Iowa Students in Title IX Proceedings

Our role begins the moment you receive a Notice of Allegation. We review the complaint, advise you before any university interview, and help you understand what to say and what not to say. In a Process A hearing, your advisor has the right to question witnesses and the other party directly. Our attorneys bring significant trial experience to that work, including cross-examining witnesses and presenting evidence in serious felony cases. When a campus process and a criminal investigation are running at the same time, we coordinate your defense across both so that decisions made in one arena don’t create problems in the other.

Contact Our Iowa City Attorneys After a Title IX Notice

The university’s investigation typically begins quickly after a complaint is filed. The sooner we can advise you, the more options you have. We offer free consultations with no obligation, regardless of the nature of the allegation.

Call Keegan, Tindal & Jaeger at (319) 499-5524 or use our online contact form to schedule your consultation today.