College students and criminal charges.  Not two things you want to have together.

As you head to college, you’re probably feeling the excitement of new things to learn, new people to meet, and new experiences to try.  Hopefully, these will all be uplifting and interesting.  But what if you find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time, with the wrong people, or you simply make a bad choice.  Do you have to live with it forever?  Will this destroy any hopes for an uplifting, exciting career?  Unless you’ve made a career out of bad choices, and you haven’t hurt anyone badly, you should be able to recover from a bad experience and quickly get back on the right path.

The Penalties

If you go to a kegger and are found in a state of intoxication, or you drive your car after a few too many drinks, or you’re at a party and someone hands you a joint, what can happen?  Assuming this is your first time, it should work out okay.  It will likely cost you (or your parents) some money and time, but in most circumstances, you should be able to get an offer of diversion or a misdemeanor.

Diversion is a program where, if you pay a fine and perhaps take a class on why your conduct should be better, the case is dismissed.  If diversion isn’t offered, a misdemeanor case would result in a conviction.  However, in all likelihood, there would be a fine, perhaps a class, and probably a period of probation.  But in both instances, the arrest and/or conviction can be expunged in the future.  Retaining the services of a good lawyer will help to make this much less painful and stressful.

College Students Could Face Sanctions

Aside from the criminal charges, students may also face punishment from their college or university.  Many schools have codes of conduct or ethics.  Students facing criminal charges may be brought before a student behavior board which could impose its own sanctions.  Sanctions could range from community service to probation or suspension.

A poor choice or bad luck at college doesn’t have to be fatal or overly traumatic.  In most instances, there will be a significant financial cost, and you will spend some time working off the case.  But beyond these costs, and the embarrassment, you should survive just fine.

If you are a college student facing criminal charges, call Attorney Allan Reid at 317-732-1500 as soon as possible.