For most parents, sending their young adult off to college is a happy milestone yet has its terrifying aspects as well. College-age students are notorious for wanting to fit in with specific groups, including fraternities or sororities, or with their own group of friends. Regardless of the group or groups your child chooses, it is incredibly easy for a young person to put aside what you have taught them and go along with the crowd. This can lead to bad choices that can have far-reaching consequences.
When you receive a call in the middle of the night from your child who is either being detained by campus police or is being held at a local police station, you need immediate legal advice. When you have an experienced Wright State student defense attorney from Horwitz & Horwitz, you have taken an important first step in securing your child’s rights and future.
How a Student Arrest on Wright State Campus Brings Stress and Fear
While a student arrest on a Wright State campus may not have the long-term penalties that a similar arrest from a municipal or state police can have, there are still serious, adverse consequences. The possibility of your child being suspended from the University—particularly if they are down to only a few months remaining until they receive thier diploma—can cause significant stress. Can your child afford to go out of state to finish their degree? (assuming they can now get accepted to an out-of-state college).
Many students at Wright State may have scholarships or grants to attend this college, which might not translate into an out-of-state college. While being suspended from college is not quite as bad as being sentenced to jail, it can still cause long-lasting negative effects. Having a Wright State student defense attorney from Horwitz & Horwitz representing your child during the university disciplinary process can definitely affect the outcome.
How Can an Experienced Wright State Student Defense Attorney Help Students Facing Criminal Charges?
Having a highly skilled Wright State student defense attorney as your child’s advocate throughout his or her campus charges is more important than you may realize. When you have a strong, knowledgeable attorney who has extensive experience with criminal charges and particularly how those criminal charges relate to campus disciplinary procedures, the odds of a positive outcome are exponentially increased. Many attorneys who practice juvenile law are not familiar with college campus policies, procedures, and disciplinary hearings. Our attorneys will approach the issue with the goal of the least immediate and long-term adverse consequences for your child.
What Are Some of the Most Common Criminal Violations College Students Are Charged With?
- Underage drinking—Most college campuses have a strict no-tolerance policy for underage drinking. Campus disciplinary actions can affect a student’s standing in that the student may be denied admission, suspended (permanently or temporarily), lose financial aid, or could be kicked out of an academic program, or forced to undergo treatment or educational programs prior to returning to classes. Students in teaching, social work, or other similar fields could be expelled from their programs.
- Driving under the influence—If you are caught driving while under the influence on campus, you could be referred to the local police for prosecution, or you could face all the consequences listed above for underage drinking.
- Theft committed on a college campus may be handled by the campus police, which means you could face temporary or permanent suspension.
- Vandalism to a university-owned building, sidewalk, wall, or other property is usually handled by campus police and through a disciplinary hearing. A first offense is likely to result in a written warning, a probationary period of at least two semesters, a $50 fine, and parental notification.
- Disorderly conduct punishment is much the same as the punishment for public intoxication below, unless harm comes to another, the student, or property.
- Public intoxication with no harm to self or others will likely garner a written warning, a substance abuse assessment, a $50 fine, a probationary period, and parental notification.
- Possession of drugs with no harm done to self, others, or property can result in a written warning, substance abuse assessment, a $50 fine, a probationary period of at least two semesters, potential removal from campus housing, and parental notification. If another person or property was harmed, or the student harmed themself, all of the stated penalties for no harm, plus potential suspension from the University.
What is the Wright State Disciplinary Process and How Does it Differ from a Criminal Proceeding?
Despite the fact that many people—including students—do not believe campus police are “real” police officers, many of them come from municipal police departments and have similar training and educational backgrounds. Campus police are sworn officers who have the power to uphold federal, state, local, and campus-specific laws and policies. Campus police can arrest suspects and carry firearms. Most campus police are required to wear body cameras to increase transparency. They also use the same de-escalation tools as municipal officers, like tasers and beanbag rounds.
There are differences in how campus police approach “policing” as compared to municipal officers. Although some college campuses give campus police expanded jurisdictions, for most, jurisdiction is limited to the campus and immediate areas, including university-recognized organizations like entertainment venues, community spaces, and sorority and fraternity houses. Campus police have more leeway in how disciplinary actions are handled, i.e., a minor infraction may be reported to the Dean of Students rather than pursuing criminal charges. The disciplinary process at Wright State differs from a criminal proceeding in the following ways:
- A Wright State student arrested for one or more crimes of violence under ORC Section 2901.01(A)(9)(a) will have a hearing to determine whether they will be suspended from the University.
- The campus hearing must occur within five days of the arrest and will be conducted by a refer appointed by the Ohio Board of Regents.
- If the referee determines the student did commit the offense, the student may be suspended for a minimum of one year or may be placed on disciplinary probation. During the suspension, the student cannot attend any state of Ohio college or university.
- Campus police focus more on remediation than punishment.
- A criminal proceeding can result in jail time, probation, steep fines, and a mark on the student’s criminal record, which can remain for a very long time.
Why Hiring an Experienced Wright State Student Defense Attorney from Horwitz & Horwitz Can Help
Attorney Jonathan Horwitz is knowledgeable, compassionate, experienced, and ready to help you and your college-age child through this difficult time. At Horwitz & Horwitz, we are always 100 percent prepared for any twists or turns the case may take. While our approach to your child’s charges will depend on the unique circumstances surrounding the incident, you can count on us to look at the situation from every possible angle until we determine the best course of action. Contact Horwitz & Horwitz today for assistance in Centerville, Springboro, Beavercreek, Miamisburg, and Kettering.
