From Arrest to Appeal: How Ohio Students Can Navigate Campus Disciplinary Hearings After Criminal Charges

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Last Modified on Nov 07, 2025

When efforts to diminish an Ohio student’s criminal charges fail, parents are often left wondering how Ohio students can navigate campus disciplinary hearings after criminal charges. The simple answer is to hire an appeals lawyer. Having a private attorney advise you and your student as you navigate the course of a campus disciplinary hearing appeal can make all the difference in optimizing the final decision.

Hire an Appeals Lawyer for Your Campus Hearing Appeal

Not every crime is committed by a hardened criminal. Sometimes good people make bad decisions. At Fortress Law Group, LLC, we believe that some people deserve a second chance. If your student has the opportunity to appeal a college decision against them, they should take the opportunity. Hire an appeals lawyer with experience representing similar cases, like those at Fortress Law Group, LLC.

When Bad Things Happen to Good Students

The majority of college students who get in trouble didn’t act with malicious intent. They made an error that has more consequences than most simple mistakes, and now they must meet new and unforeseen obstacles head-on. Young individuals often act in the moment, in the heat of passion, or in the name of having fun. They don’t always have the foresight to consider the potential repercussions of their actions.

In 2023, there were 711 crimes reported at Ohio State University. Sometimes, these students have promising futures and are in leadership roles in their prospective majors and social groups.

Whether it was a bad day, a bit of bad luck, or a moment of naive judgment, they have the potential for a second chance. An appeals hearing can be a defining moment in a promising student’s educational track. However, without the guidance of an appeals attorney who is well-versed in Ohio appeal laws, they are not taking advantage of all the available resources that can increase their odds of obtaining a successful appeal.

What To Expect

Ohio state law requires a hearing board to conduct a formal review of the incident. There must be three members of this ad hoc board who will hear the student’s presentation of the evidence and their story. The hearing board may include staff or faculty members from the university and active students. The board will select a chair who is an existing faculty member of the board.

They will be solely responsible for reviewing allegations of misconduct and making a final decision in favor of or against the request for appeal. After their decision is made, it is deemed the final and standing ruling. This is why preparing in advance with the assistance of an appeals lawyer is so imperative in appeal cases.

If an appeals hearing is something you and your student are facing, going in without proper preparation and a clear plan of defense can be your biggest regret years from now. The low requirement for evidence against students by campus disciplinary boards and the high standard for proof required of the defense to receive a successful appeal do not make these hearings easy.

Potential Consequences of Denial in a Campus Disciplinary Hearing

If a student’s appeal is denied in Ohio, they may lose all the progress they’ve made up to this point. Even students who are in good academic standing and have exemplary backgrounds in community and volunteer services can be subject to the following academic actions if an appeal is unsuccessful:

  • Temporary suspension or permanent expulsion
  • Loss or limited financial aid
  • Ineligibility for future scholarships
  • Removal from athletic teams, student clubs, roles of leadership, and honors programs

As a parent, it’s important to step in and call Fortress Law Group, LLC. When you do, you will gain essential insight into the implications of your student’s case. The earlier we start preparing for the hearing, the more time we have to investigate, compile evidence, and prep your student. They need to be as prepared as possible. Make haste to contact our office for an appointment to discuss this important legal matter that can have a big impact on your student’s future.

Ohio Criminal Appeals Resource: