Riverdale Student Defense Lawyer

Facing criminal charges or disciplinary hearings in college can be a worst-case scenario for many students. While some allegations could result in both outcomes, that does not mean you should be harshly punished. You have the right to hire a dedicated criminal defense attorney as your advocate for both proceedings. 

You deserve to have a vigorous defense in court and on campus. A Riverdale student defense lawyer could craft a defense strategy for your hearing and protect your rights every step of the way. 

Criminal Charges Against Students

College students are bound by the same statutes as anyone else. That said, they are more likely to be arrested for certain offenses compared to others. Some of the most common examples include:

• Driving while intoxicated
• Underage drinking
• Theft
• Drug possession

Other offenses may include academic dishonesty and assault.

Investigating Charges

On-campus discipline proceedings differ from criminal trials. They typically involve an investigation conducted by the same body tasked with hearing the case. Judicial boards, which are often made up of a mix of students and faculties, will hear evidence and come to a decision. This process is far more informal than a trial.

Students with a clean record are often given second chances in the justice system, especially if they have the support and defense of a Riverdale-based attorney. You should never assume that the worst outcome is unavoidable in these situations. 

Potential Consequences

There are several academic offenses under state law, which means there is a multitude of potential penalties. For example, a conviction for a misdemeanor may not result in additional jail time, but it does carry as much as a year in jail. Felonies have much steeper consequences, including years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. Any time a person is convicted of a felony, they also lose the right to vote or own a firearm. 

Collateral Consequences

There are other penalties that can impact your life outside of those written into statute. Known as collateral consequences, these outcomes are the direct result of a conviction but are not formally handed down by a judge. The most common examples are losing a job or having a rental application denied due to your criminal record. 

If you are a student in Riverdale who has been convicted of an offense. Is important to work with a defense lawyer on reducing the impact of that conviction. It may be possible to avoid jail, limit fines, or even avoid a mark on your permanent record through a negotiated plea bargain. 

Disciplinary Action on Campus

In addition to criminal consequences, additional penalties can also occur on campus. Often, the same alleged behavior can serve as the basis for prosecution and disciplinary action. This is true even when the acts in question did not occur on campus. 

While federal guidelines provide for certain rights and requirements, each college or university has the right to develop its own system for hearings. Accused students do not have the same rights as they do during the justice process, but they do have rights. This includes the right to legal counsel. 

The outcome of these cases can have a harmful impact on your academic future. An adverse ruling may cost you a scholarship or require you to move out of a dorm. Failing grades or even expulsion from school are other, more serious possibilities.

The downside to fighting back in these cases is that anything you say could be used in court. For some people, testifying in these proceedings can make things much worse during a future trial. An attorney in Riverdale could advise whether it is better to fight back or stay silent in a student defense case. 

Consult a Riverdale Student Defense Attorney Today

We understand how scary it is to deal with disciplinary hearings as a student. Young people often make mistakes but can correct them, if given the chance.  Luckily, a positive outcome is possible.

A Riverdale student defense lawyer today could provide guidance throughout the legal process and fight to get charges dropped or mitigated. Call us today for a private consultation.