Should you decide not to attend a judicial hearing, it may be rescheduled or it may be held in your absence. At the hearing, you have the right to challenge, with cause, the participation of any hearing officer or any member of a judicial committee. You have the right to remain silent and will not be forced to answer questions. You may testify on your own behalf, present your own witnesses, and hear, question, or rebut any and all information presented by the referral agent. Finally, you have the right to appeal the decision reached by the judicial officer or judicial committee.
Many students have erroneous conceptions about what happens in a judicial hearing.
At Virginia Tech, hearings are primarily a forum for the fair presentation of various points of view concerning a specific incident. Hearings follow a standard agenda designed to encourage orderly discussion. First, the hearing agenda is reviewed and your rights will be discussed with you. You will have the opportunity to enter a plea to each charge that has been brought against you. Witnesses are asked to make statements individually.