University of Virginia Library

Students Face
Judiciary Trial
Instead Of Law

By CHRIS KOHAN

University students accused
of minor misdemeanors by
local authorities may now have
their cases directly referred to
the Judiciary Committee
according to the agreement
reached by the Committee and
the City's Commonwealth
Attorney, John T. Camblos.

The agreement is in relation
to the rules of the Judiciary
Committee's "Standards of
Conduct," which prohibits
"any violation of federal, state,
or local law if such directly
affects the University's pursuit
of its proper educational
purposes."

A student confronted by a
policeman on suspicion of a
"minor misdemeanor" may,
upon identifying himself as a
University student, avoid arrest
and have the charges against
him referred to the Judiciary
Committee.

Fairer Treatment

He would then be tried by
the Committee and, if found
guilty, would be punished
according to its standards.

The new policy, Committee
Chairman Frazier King said,
provides for "fairer treatment
of the student, because
University standards would be
applied."

Mr. Camblos has final
authority in deciding which
cases will be sent to the
Committee. "Those cases
appropriate for the Judiciary
Committee are problems of
misbehavior which sometimes
become violations of the law,
but where no major harm has
been done," Mr. Camblos said.

"Where the local community
will feel obligated to assume
jurisdiction," Mr. King said,
"the Judiciary Committee
would not assume jurisdiction
when there is danger of double
jeopardy for the individual."

System Avoids Records

When the Committee does
obtain jurisdiction over a case,
"our decision will be honored
by the local authorities," Mr.
King added. This system is
designed to avoid permanent
arrest records for students.
Student Council President Jim
Rinaca said, "it's in the
students' best interests. While
this policy will have no less
meaning, it will have less effect
over one's later life."

Both Mr. King and Mr.
Rinaca urged students to
present their identification
card if stopped by police. By
showing an I.D. and thereby
identifying himself as a
University student subject to
this new policy, a student "has
an opportunity to avoid an
arrest record if his case is
referred to the Judiciary
Committee," Mr. King said.

"We're all very optimistic
that it will be of help to the
students," said Mr. Camblos.