Florida State's code of conduct hearing on a sexual assault allegation against Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston will be held the week of Nov. 17.
"We have been advised by Florida State that the hearing on Mr. Winston's code of conduct violations for sexual assault will be held the week of the 17th of November," attorney John Clune, who is representing Winston's accuser, told the Tallahassee Democrat. "We have advised the school that we are available and will be ready to proceed."
The timing of the hearing would put the embattled quarterback's case in the spotlight once again during the week of FSU's home game against Boston College, to be played Nov. 22.
State Attorney Willie Meggs declined to bring criminal charges against Winston after investigating the incident a year ago, but an FSU code of conduct hearing represents a different jurisdiction, and one that doesn't necessarily ascribe to the same burden of proof that a jury trial would. Winston faces as many as four charges from the hearing, two of which relate to the school's code regarding sexual conduct. Winston learned he would face the hearing four weeks ago, and his attorney subsequently said he would need an indefinite period of time to prepare. Former Florida Supreme Court justice Major Harding will conduct the hearing.
FSU is under a federal Title IX investigation into how it handled the case initially. The school's initial response and the investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department have been roundly criticized.
Winston, a third-year sophomore, will be eligible for the 2015 NFL Draft if he chooses to declare early eligibility, but he indicated over the summer that he plans to stay at the school until he earns his degree. The defending Heisman Trophy winner is 21-0 as a starter in his career and is leading the 8-0 Seminoles to what could be a second consecutive national championship.
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