What to Expect in Court

The Code of Student Conduct states the behavioral expectations and standards of conduct for all students. The rules pertain to the actions of individuals while they are students, either on or off the campus grounds. Therefore, a student who is off campus and charged with a civil or criminal offense where there is a nexus to the University may be subject to University disciplinary action. The student conduct officer shall use discretion regarding whether the Code of Student Conduct shall be applied to conduct occurring off campus. (Code of Student Conduct, p. 1)

SUNY Brockport may receive copies of off-campus tickets and arrest reports. If you are involved in an off-campus incident, you can expect to have a process in court as well as a student conduct hearing. Expect to receive communication from a student conduct staff member after the University has received your ticket/police report.

You will have a court appearance in addition to a student conduct hearing. This page is intended to help you understand what to expect when you go to court. This document was crafted in collaboration with the Brockport Village Court.

Steps to follow if you are charged

  • Study your court ticket — Were you charged with a violation, misdemeanor, or felony, and what are the consequences of your charge(s)? If you face serious charges, consider representation by a lawyer or DA.
  • Attend your arraignment — This is where you plead guilty or not guilty. Be respectful of the judge. Give him proof of attendance for the mandatory workshops, etc. in which you attended.
  • Follow through with Court requirements — The court may choose to assign you with various convictions including, but not limited to; fines, community service, substance use evaluation, workshops, etc. Be sure to follow through in completing these conditions in the timeframe required in order to avoid further conduct proceedings.
  • Meet with the Student Conduct — You will be contacted by a student conduct officer from SUNY Brockport. You will be contacted at your Brockport email after the University receives a copy of your ticket. This may occur after your court appearance. It is your responsibility to be checking your Brockport email for communication.
  • Attend your disposition — This is where the judge tells you his final decision on what charges you have, and what consequences you will face. Be respectful of the judge and grateful if he reduces your charges. Obey any mandatory court orders (such as community service), and plan on never having to go back to court again!

Court Terms Defined

  • Arraignment hearing: A hearing in which a person charged with a crime is brought before the court to plead either guilty or not guilty, and is advised of their constitutional rights under the law.
  • Disposition: A final decision made by the judge that ends the criminal proceeding
  • Charge: A formal accusation filed by the prosecution that a specific person has committed a specific crime. Also referred to as “pressing charges.”
  • Violation: The smallest offense in which a law is broken, usually includes just a fine
  • Misdemeanor: A crime that is less serious than a felony, and for which the punishment can include a monetary fine, community service hours, and in rare cases, up to 12 months of jail
  • Felony: A serious crime punishable by state or federal prison time.
  • Plea agreement: An agreement where the accused and the prosecutor work out a compromise of a disposition subject to court approval. It usually involves the defendant’s plea of guilty to a lesser offense in return for a lighter sentence.
  • Conditional discharge: A sentence passed by a court whereby the defendant is not punished, provided they comply with certain conditions. After these conditions are met, the discharge becomes absolute. If the conditions are not met, the defendant is re-sentenced.

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