University of Michigan “ECRT” Hearings

The University of Michigan has created a department called the Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office (ECRT) to handle sexual and gender-based misconduct cases that occur on its campus or by its members (students and employees). The University of Michigan has a policy prohibiting gender-based and sexual misconduct, ranging from sexual harassment to sexual assault; from stalking to domestic violence. When a student or employee is accused of violating this policy, they often receive correspondence from ECRT for disciplinary action. 

Dan Geherin, criminal defense attorney in Ann Arbor and owner of the Geherin Law Group PLLC, has prosecuted and defended thousands of gender/sex-based offense cases in his 25+year career.  As a former prosecutor, Dan prosecuted emotionally-charged domestic violence and sex offense cases from start to finish. As a board-certified criminal defense attorney in Ann Arbor, Dan has defended thousands of sex and gender offense allegations, from capital crimes to misdemeanor touching and harassment allegations. Dan has a long, verifiable and reported track record of success defending these allegations, both in terms of trial victories, voluntary dismissals, and successful negotiations.  

As the published author of the book Defending College Students Charged with a Sex-Offense: How to avoid the life-altering consequence of a conviction, Dan is one of the few attorneys in Washtenaw County who specializes in ECRT cases at the University of Michigan. Dan and his team have helped hundreds of UM students and employees navigate the complicated ECRT process.  Every day, Dan answers calls from students and employees of UM, many of whom ask these questions:

“Do I have the right to an attorney to help me with an ECRT violation at the University of Michigan?”

“How does the ECRT process work?”

“Is the ECRT process different than a criminal or civil lawsuit?”

“What can happen to a person found in violation of the policy at the University of Michigan?”

If a student is found responsible for violating the policy, they’ll face sanctions, including the possibility of suspension or expulsion from the University of Michigan; permanent notations in their official transcript; removal from student housing; and/or academic probation. If an employee is found responsible for violating the policy, they face termination, suspension, or reprimand.  

Both the accused (called a Respondent) and the accuser (called the Complainant) may use an “Advisor” to assist them with this process; the advisor may be an attorney.  The Advisor is given the ability to question the other side during the ECRT Hearing Process.  The hearing takes place in front of a single Hearing Judge, who is unaffiliated with the University. The standard of proof is called a “Preponderance of Evidence,” which is lower than a criminal trial but similar to a civil lawsuit. These discipline hearings are sometimes brought separately or independently from a criminal or civil lawsuit, and are sometimes in conjunction with an ongoing case.  In a nutshell, they’re completely distinct from a criminal or civil case, but they can have similar consequences to a student’s or employee’s reputation, future and livelihood.  

If you’re facing these life-altering situations, the best option is to consult with an experienced, aggressive, intelligent and specialized criminal defense attorney in Ann Arbor with a history of successfully litigating these allegations.  And, it’s imperative that you do so early—when the incident first strikes—so that effective strategies can be employed defend you.    

If you’re involved with a discipline violation at the University of Michigan, please contact Dan Geherin and his team at GLG Michigan immediately. We’re available 24/7, we have the experience, reputation and resources necessary in these allegations, and we fight aggressively to restore and protect your reputation.  Schedule your free initial consultation online, or call 24/7 (734) 263-2780.   

The University of Michigan has created a department called the Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office (ECRT) to handle sexual and gender-based misconduct cases that occur on its campus or by its members (students and employees). The University of Michigan has a policy prohibiting gender-based and sexual misconduct, ranging from sexual harassment to sexual assault; from stalking to domestic violence. When a student or employee is accused of violating this policy, they often receive correspondence from ECRT for disciplinary action.

Dan Geherin, criminal defense attorney in Ann Arbor and owner of the Geherin Law Group PLLC, has prosecuted and defended thousands of gender/sex-based offense cases in his 25+year career. As a former prosecutor, Dan prosecuted emotionally-charged domestic violence and sex offense cases from start to finish. As a board-certified criminal defense attorney in Ann Arbor, Dan has defended thousands of sex and gender offense allegations, from capital crimes to misdemeanor touching and harassment allegations. Dan has a long, verifiable and reported track record of success defending these allegations, both in terms of trial victories, voluntary dismissals, and successful negotiations.

As the published author of the book Defending College Students Charged with a Sex-Offense: How to avoid the life-altering consequence of a conviction, Dan is one of the few attorneys in Washtenaw County who specializes in ECRT cases at the University of Michigan. Dan and his team have helped hundreds of UM students and employees navigate the complicated ECRT process. Every day, Dan answers calls from students and employees of UM, many of whom ask these questions:

"Do I have the right to an attorney to help me with an ECRT violation at the University of Michigan?"

"How does the ECRT process work?"

"Is the ECRT process different than a criminal or civil lawsuit?"

"What can happen to a person found in violation of the policy at the University of Michigan?"

If a student is found responsible for violating the policy, they'll face sanctions, including the possibility of suspension or expulsion from the University of Michigan; permanent notations in their official transcript; removal from student housing; and/or academic probation. If an employee is found responsible for violating the policy, they face termination, suspension, or reprimand.

Both the accused (called a Respondent) and the accuser (called the Complainant) may use an "Advisor" to assist them with this process; the advisor may be an attorney. The Advisor is given the ability to question the other side during the ECRT Hearing Process. The hearing takes place in front of a single Hearing Judge, who is unaffiliated with the University. The standard of proof is called a "Preponderance of Evidence," which is lower than a criminal trial but similar to a civil lawsuit. These discipline hearings are sometimes brought separately or independently from a criminal or civil lawsuit, and are sometimes in conjunction with an ongoing case. In a nutshell, they're completely distinct from a criminal or civil case, but they can have similar consequences to a student's or employee's reputation, future and livelihood.

If you're facing these life-altering situations, the best option is to consult with an experienced, aggressive, intelligent and specialized criminal defense attorney in Ann Arbor with a history of successfully litigating these allegations. And, it's imperative that you do so early-when the incident first strikes-so that effective strategies can be employed defend you.

If you're involved with a discipline violation at the University of Michigan, please contact Dan Geherin and his team at GLG Michigan immediately. We're available 24/7, we have the experience, reputation and resources necessary in these allegations, and we fight aggressively to restore and protect your reputation. Schedule your free initial consultation online, or call 24/7 (734) 263-2780.

GLG Michigan: Expertly handling ECRT cases at the University of Michigan.