Are you a high school or college student charged with a crime?
If you are a student facing criminal charges, you’re likely worried about your future. A criminal conviction can have significant consequences. It can affect your education as well as your future job prospects and even housing. If convicted, you could also face penalties at school. During your job search, you may find the a conviction closes many doors: today’s job market is competitive, and employers check your criminal history as part of your application. At Horwitz & Horwitz, LLC, Centerville student crimes defense lawyer Jon Horwitz has extensive experience working with students. We’re here to help you move past this difficult time and protect your future.
Our firm is dedicated to developing a relationship with our clients. We will take the time to meet with you, listen to your story, gather information, and craft the best possible defense. We’ll explain your legal options, make sure that you understand the risks and benefits of each option, and give thorough, straightforward advice. Together, we work toward the best possible solution for you.
When your college-age young adult finds themselves facing criminal charges that can result in adverse consequences through their university—and potentially through municipal, county, or state law enforcement—immediate legal assistance is crucial. Whether you are in the Centerville area, or other areas, including Springboro, Beavercreek, Miamisburg, and Kettering, an experienced student criminal defense attorney from Horwitz & Horwitz can help. This is not a time to sit back and hope for the best. What happens now could result in negative, long-term consequences that can influence your child’s future for many years to come.
What Are the Most Common Violations That Occur on College Campuses?
While there are many different violations that could potentially occur on a college campus, some of the most common violations include:
- Underage drinking—Unless a student is with his or her parents, if cited for underage drinking while off campus, the student could face a first-degree misdemeanor. If convicted, the student could face up to six months in jail and a fine as large as $1,000 imposed. The university could then conduct its own code of conduct violation inquiry and impose their own penalties.
- Driving under the influence—A first-offense DUI for a student who is 21 or older when the BAC is less than 0.17 could result in three days in jail or a driver intervention program, with a maximum incarceration of six months and a maximum probation of five years. Fines can range from $375 to $1,075. The University will conduct an inquiry and impose its own penalties upon conviction for the DUI.
- Underage DUI—If a student is caught operating a vehicle with a BAC of 0.02 percent or higher while off-campus, driving privileges could be suspended for six months, the driver’s test must be retaken, proof of insurance provided, along with a completion of a remedial driving course. If the student’s BAC was 0.08 percent or higher, adult DUI penalties could be implemented.
- Theft—If the theft occurs on campus, the student will face an inquiry to determine whether his or her college’s code of conduct was violated, then depending on the results, could face college-imposed penalties. If the theft occurred outside the college campus, the student could face a first-degree misdemeanor with penalties of up to six months in jail and a fine as large as $1,000.
- Vandalism—Vandalism usually involves graffiti or the destruction of an item that belongs to the university. If it is proven that a student is guilty of vandalism on campus, and the vandalism is not severe, the student will likely have to make restitution, clean the graffiti, or something similar.
- Disorderly conduct is a common charge against college students who are generally young, and often drinking alcohol. Disorderly conduct on campus will likely have fairly mild consequences—unless it is severe or violent, the student is unlikely to be placed on probation, suspended, or expelled. Off campus, a disorderly conduct conviction can result in fines up to $250, and up to 30 days in jail.
- Public intoxication—If the instance of public intoxication occurred off campus, a conviction could result in a maximum penalty of up to six months in jail and a fine as large as $1,000. On-campus, this is a fairly common violation, and assuming nobody was injured as a result, the consequences are unlikely to be exceptionally severe.
- Possession of drugs—The severity of a possession of drugs charge will depend on the specific drug as well as the amount of the drug possessed. If the student is in possession of more than could be considered personal use, they could potentially be charged with drug sales or drug trafficking. A conviction for possession of drugs can have fairly harsh penalties both on campus and through the justice system.
How Can a Criminal Violation on a College Campus Affect Your Future?
Young adults who are charged with a criminal offense risk incarceration, fines, and other penalties like community service or probation. College students are also at risk of secondary consequences from criminal charges and/or convictions. College students charged by campus police may face code of conduct violation consequences in addition to criminal penalties. If the college student is arrested or cited for a crime, the dean of students usually begins an investigation into whether the code of conduct was violated.
This is true whether the alleged crime occurred on campus or off campus. A confirmed violation could result in probation or expulsion from the college, community service, dismissal from the student housing, and more. Once the university becomes aware of a citation or charge against a student, the assistant dean of students will inform the student that a potential violation of the code of conduct has occurred.
A fact-finding inquiry will begin to gather evidence and interview witnesses. An attorney for your child can present the dean with witnesses, evidence, and mitigating circumstances during the fact-finding inquiry. It is important to be proactive at this point because an attorney can significantly influence whether a violation is found, and if a violation is found, how severe the penalties will be. Relatively minor infractions may result in a formal reprimand, community service, or probation.
Violent crimes and other serious offenses may result in dismissal from student housing, suspension, or expulsion. If a student is convicted of a criminal offense through municipalities, counties, or the state, he or she could face adverse student housing consequences, an inability to enroll in classes (even after being accepted), and an inability to secure federal grants and student loans. These college consequences are in addition to the criminal penalties a conviction will bring. Once convicted of a criminal offense, a student may find that future employment opportunities and educational opportunities are severely limited.
What Should You Do if You Are Accused of a Crime as a Student in College?
The only way a student can avoid these severe consequences is to immediately speak to a knowledgeable college campus criminal defense attorney. If you are a parent worried about your college student’s future, you can help them respond appropriately to the charges so that a single mistake does not derail their future.
This involves speaking to a highly skilled student criminal defense attorney from Horwitz & Horwitz. We have significant experience helping students who are facing criminal charges, both through the college disciplinary process and the criminal judicial system. When you and your child have a comprehensive understanding of the potential consequences, you can make better decisions for the future.
How a Student Criminal Defense Attorney from Horwitz & Horwitz Can Help
An experienced college campus criminal defense attorney from Horwitz & Horwitz can craft a comprehensive defense on behalf of the college student, with the goal of minimizing the consequences both on and off campus. Our attorneys have a full understanding of how a conviction for a criminal offense can negatively impact a student’s future. If you are a college student facing criminal charges, or the parent of a college student facing criminal charges, contact Horwitz & Horwitz today.
Contact Centerville Student Crimes Defense Lawyer Jon Horwitz
Our experienced, understanding Centerville, OH criminal defense attorney will do all he can to minimize the damage a criminal conviction can have on your life. We handle cases involving:
- Underage drinking
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Drug charges
Call us today for a free consultation with a skilled Centerville student crimes defense lawyer.
