If you’re going off to college this fall or returning for another semester, you’re probably excited about everything the new school year will bring. The start of a new semester is often one of the busier times for a criminal defense lawyer, because students have lighter course loads at the outset, and if it’s the fall semester, activities like Gopher and Vikings games can sometimes get out of hand.
An arrest during college can have serious implications for your academic and personal life, and far too often we hear stories from people who pleaded guilty because they didn’t want their parents to find out about their legal case. This is not the right way to go about dealing with an arrest in college. Here are some tips to keep that arrest from ruining what you’ve worked so hard for.
Arrested In College
First, it’s important to remember that a citation or arrest during your college years is not the end of the world. Judges want to give you the benefit of the doubt, and while that doesn’t mean you’re going to get off with just a slap on the wrist, they don’t want a stupid mistake to severely change your life. Some common crimes we’ve handled for college students include:
- Drunk driving
- Underage drinking
- Assault/Battery
- Disorderly Conduct
- Disturbing the peace
- Fraudulent use of a driver’s license or ID card
- Drug possession, distribution or sales
If you end up with a citation DO NOT assume that the judge will go easy on you if you plead guilty because it’s your first offense. There’s no guarantee that will happen, and a guilty plea can affect your ability to live in student housing, or it can terminate the scholarship you earned. Plus, your parents will still likely find out about it, so it’s best to challenge the arrest by talking to a lawyer.
A criminal defense lawyer will be your best friend after your arrest. For starters, you’ll have an expert in your corner who can explain the charges and what legal road your facing. From there, they can start crafting a legal defense that puts you in a good view with the judge or jury. They may be able to help you stay on campus, retain your scholarship, or keep a bunch of money in your pocket by getting the charges reduced or dropped all together.
Another great aspect of having a criminal defense lawyer on your side is that they can work closely with the prosecution to see if you can get a reduced deal. Prosecutors are often overburdened and are looking for ways to lighten their caseload, and if they can get a conviction on a much lesser charge, they’ll take it, and you’ll be better off for it. Defense lawyers can also work with the prosecution to recommend terms of a sentence, which would need to be approved by a judge. This way you can try and get a sentence that involves community service or substance counseling instead of something more severe that could disrupt your academics or employment.
Yes, it does cost money to hire a criminal defense lawyer, and we know most college kids aren’t well off, but as we explain in this post, a lawyer can oftentimes save you a lot of money in the long run. Considering what’s all on the line after your arrest, their services are worth it. At Appelman Law Firm, we offer a free strategy session for college kids who’ve been arrested to come in, sit down with a lawyer and talk about their case, free of charge. If after talking to our team you believe we’re a good fit for your case, you can hire us to defend you in court. To set up that free consultation, click here or give us a call at (952) 224-2277.
