Navigating a Chargesheet - Issue 4
12 Months 12 Articles
How to read and understand the content of a charge sheet after being alleged of misconduct.
Once you have received a charge sheet from, Legal Services, the division at the University that deals specifically with the misconduct of student and ensures the proper penalties are imposed. You might feel like you’re on a rollercoaster of emotions, typically it’s not the good ones. However, there’s no need to panic. This article will outline the elements of a chargesheet.
Firstly, the charge sheet will contain your personal information such as your name, student number and physical address. The reason for this to ensure the charge sheet is addressed to the correct person. You will also see a date on the charge sheet. Why is this relevant ? The information is relevant and quite important as it establishes jurisdiction. What does jurisdiction mean? In this case you are a student at the University of Pretoria which means that you have undertaken to follow and obey the rules of the University. Therefore, the University has the power and authority to discipline you should you break a rule.
Back to the charge sheet, there’s seven very important elements to a charge sheet and they will be briefly discussed below.
- The Charge Sheet will outline the specific rule/s that you are charged with allegedly contravening. The reason why the word “alleged” is used is because the rule of law states that everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
- Then the specific event where you have allegedly contravened the rule will be outline. For example:
“you are accused of contravening paragraph … of the Rules, specifically paragraph … during your semester test 1 for the module ABC101, on the 1st of January 2025, when you were cheated on your test with crib notes.”
- The next paragraph deals with legal presentation. The University allows alleged student to acquire legal presentation. However, the decision to acquire legal representation is entirely up to you and the cost will be from your own pocket.
- The following paragraphs explains the options available to you. Firstly, you can enter into a plea agreement with the University. Where you plead guilty to the charge. Thereafter you will receive your penalty and you will not have to go for a disciplinary hearing because you already admitted guilt.
- You may also choose to have your matter adjudicated. This means that the Disciplinary Committee will conduct a disciplinary hearing where the Committee will hear the evidence put forth by the parties. The parties to the hearing is the University and you. Thereafter, the Committee will deliberate and reach a conclusion. You will either be found not guilty or guilty with your penalty. The date of the Disciplinary hearing will also be outlined in the paragraph.
- Should you decide to proceed with a disciplinary hearing, then you are advised to consult the General Regulations and Information Guide with specific reference to the Disciplinary Code of Students to prepare for your disciplinary hearing.
- During your preparations you are welcome to seek assistance from the Student Disciplinary Advisory Panel – SDAP. SDAP’s function is to explain the entire disciplinary hearing process to you, inform you about your rights throughout the disciplinary process and answer all questions you might have. It’s important to note that SDAP merely explains the procedure to you and can in no way legally represent you at your hearing. Lastly, when you consult with SDAP your matter is handle with the outmost level of confidentiality.
This article attempted to serve as a guide in assisting students who received a charge sheet to better understand and navigate the document. Should you have any questions feel free to reach out.