Procedures evolved from sanctioning of plagiarism and other minor infractions of college rules. Impartiality of the judicial officers must be taken on faith.
Persons sitting in judgment often have no special training.
Few are aware of the enormous personal liability they assume by sitting in judgment. Usually the accused student is represented by a fellow student. The complaining student must serve as his or her own prosecutor. When the presence of licensed attorneys is allowed, they are forced to sit mute as advisors not as participants. More often than not, witnesses are not sworn to tell the truth but merely warned that false testimony may be a violation of the school's honor code.