College can be a liberating time in a person’s life. Often, college students are away from home for the first time in their lives and making decisions about alcohol or drugs that they have never had to make before. Mistakes made in one’s youth should not affect the remainder of their life, but under university codes of conduct, a student may be kicked out of student housing or expelled from a school for conduct violations. These ramifications could drastically affect a student’s future opportunities.
If you or your child are facing criminal disciplinary actions from a college or university, you may want to confer with an experienced Charleston student defense lawyer to discuss the best options for your particular case. Let a seasoned criminal defense attorney fight for you.
Types of Cases Brought against Students
The most common types of charges brought against students on a college campus pertain to the use of alcohol or drugs. Across the U.S., it is illegal for individuals under the age of 21 to consume alcohol or provide alcohol to minors. Simply attending a party with alcohol and minors present could lead to a criminal or academic charge. A student may also face severe penalties for using a fake driver’s license or another form of identification to purchase alcohol or enter a bar or nightclub.
Some students may also experiment with illegal drugs like marijuana for the first time in college. Possession of an illicit substance may carry harsh penalties.
Although the aforementioned offenses may not always involve law enforcement, they can still result in disciplinary action from the student’s school. A Charleston defense attorney is knowledgeable in the types of charges brought against students and could work to minimize the consequences of a university conduct allegation.
Hearing Process for Students
In most academic penalty cases, the charged student must attend a hearing regarding the accusations brought against them. In a hearing, the student will be asked to provide a defense to the offense committed. While a university hearing is not a trial, what is said at it may eventually be used against the student if the case is taken to court.
Administrators at university hearings often ask confusing, contradictory questions to force an unprepared student into an admittance of guilt. A dedicated attorney in Charleston could defend a student at a university hearing and work to clarify misleading or confusing questions.
Contact a Charleston Student Defense Attorney Now
College is meant to be the best years of someone’s life and an important stepping stone to a career. However, college students are still maturing and could be prone to mistakes of judgement. A university conduct violation may lead to disciplinary action such as suspension, expulsion, and difficulty obtaining a job after school.
One mistake in college should not be the end of a student’s professional career. A Charleston student defense lawyer is ready to review your case and work with you to determine your best legal strategy. If you are facing academic conduct allegations, do not hesitate to a contact an experienced attorney. Reach out to our office today to learn more about your options.
