Morgantown College Student Crimes Lawyer

Morgantown College Student Crimes Attorney

College can be some of the most fun years of a young person’s life but also some of the most eventful. You might find that you or someone you love was caught up in a bad situation in college and, as a result, is facing criminal charges. All of a sudden, you might have all sorts of concerns about the future. When you contact a Morgantown college student defense lawyer, you can get these questions answered, and rest assured that your future is in capable hands.

At Meadows Law Office, I am committed to standing up for students in Morgantown. If you or someone you love is a college student who has been charged with a crime, I can help you determine your legal options. I know how stressful and emotionally distressing this time can be. When you have me help you with your legal needs, you can gain some much-needed peace of mind.

What Are Student Crimes?

When you are in community college or university, you are not only bound to state and federal laws, but you also typically have to abide by a code of student conduct to maintain your status. However, you are sure to face all sorts of temptations and activities in college that can lead to criminal behavior. For example, common student crimes you might encounter include:

• Underage Drinking: Consuming alcohol under the age of 21 is a common temptation facing college students, yet it is illegal. If you are charged with underage drinking, you face having a permanent stain on your record.
• Sexual Assault: Unfortunately, cases of sexual assault are a serious concern among all college administrations. In a world where young people are frequently partying and are unsupervised, these cases occur far too often. If you are accused of sexual assault, you will need strong legal support to protect your rights.
• Hazing: At some colleges, you might find several initiation rituals that aim to humiliate people. Whether it involves emotional manipulation or physical punishments, you can get in serious trouble for hazing.
• Theft: Stealing of any sort, whether it is shoplifting or grand theft, is illegal. Some college students might be inclined to shoplift if they are short on cash, but even this can have harsh consequences.

What Are the Penalties for Student Crimes?

The penalties that you might face for a student’s crime are vast. Your consequences all depend on what your crime was and how severe it was. More serious crimes will warrant more serious punishments and are more likely to cause your expulsion. For example, common punishments include:

• Underage Drinking: If you are charged with consuming or purchasing alcohol under the age of 21, you will face costly misdemeanor penalties. For instance, if you are over 18, you can face fines of up to $500 and be put in jail for up to 72 hours.
• DUI: If you are charged with driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or controlled substances like drugs, you can anticipate facing penalties that correspond to the severity of the situation. For example, if you are under 21 and are convicted of a DUI, you will likely face harsher punishments than someone who is 21.

However, the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream, whether or not it is your first offense, and if there was a minor in your car can all influence your consequences. If you severely injure someone or kill someone while intoxicated behind the wheel, you might also find yourself looking at felony charges.

• Sexual Assault: If you are convicted of sexual assault, the punishments you might have to face could be either misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on what happened. In most cases, however, you will face a felony charge with punishments including between one and five years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.
• Theft: Your penalties for being convicted of theft will depend on what you stole. For example, if the goods you are found guilty of stealing are worth $1,000 or more, you might face between one and ten years in prison and fines of up to $2,500. If the goods were worth less, you can expect to spend up to one year in jail and face fines of up to $2,500.
• Hazing: If you’re convicted of hazing, you will face a misdemeanor charge with fines of up to $1,000 and up to nine months in jail. However, sometimes, hazing can lead to more serious crimes, such as wrongful death, in which case you might be looking at a harsher felony charge.

How Can a Student Crimes Lawyer Help?

A student crimes attorney is a criminal defense lawyer who focuses on defending students in university who are accused of crimes. They are trained in criminal law and well-versed in how to handle cases involving university students. After an accusation or arrest, you will need a student crimes lawyer on your side to protect your future.

In addition to the punishments from the court, the school you attend might decide to take disciplinary action against you. This means you might have to attend mandatory counseling or educational programs to get your back on track. However, in some more serious cases, you might face suspension or expulsion. This would be on your student record and make it difficult to attend other schools. Your lawyer can work on negotiating with university officials.

A Committed Morgantown College Student Crimes Lawyer

Getting a college education can set you on the path to success in life, but if you are convicted of a serious crime, you can quickly steer off that path. If you or a college student in your life is facing criminal charges, getting in contact with a qualified legal professional as soon as possible is vital.

At Meadows Law Office, I am well-versed in crafting strategic legal defenses for university students. No matter what situation you find yourself in, I can respectfully review the facts and help you decide how to proceed with your case. Get in touch with our team today to consult with an experienced attorney.