The Impact of Criminal Charges On Your College Education
As summer draws to a close, colleges and universities throughout the Carolinas and across the country are gearing up for the coming school year. While college freshman once comprised mostly young people happy to be away from home for the first time and eager to test the limits of their freedoms, today’s college students are a diverse crowed comprising people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you are just beginning your academic career or are currently enrolled in a program of study, it is important to be aware of the ways in which various situations could put your ability to go to school in jeopardy.
At Lauren Taylor Law, our Greenville criminal defense attorney knows that even minor criminal charges can have a major impact on your ability to be accepted at a college, to get student aid, to live on campus or to continue with your studies. Whether you are currently attending classes, are considering returning to school, or are the parent of a college student, it is important to be aware of how colleges view and handle criminal matters, as well as the potential consequences students who are charged with certain types of crimes face.
Common Types of Criminal Matters Affecting Students
While college campuses are often idealized as being cloistered sanctuaries of academic pursuit and high achievement, the fact is they are not immune from the types of crimes found in the general population at large. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) , campus crime has been an ongoing problem at both private and public schools around the country, with close to 30,000 criminal acts against people or property reported to campus police and security officials each year. These types of crimes include the following:
Burglary and robbery;
Motor vehicle theft;
Physical assaults;
Sexual assaults;
Arson;
Illegal weapons offenses; and
Homicide.
In addition to the above, NCES statistics indicate that close to 50,000 students are arrested each year as the result of alcohol and drug offenses, such as underage drinking, public intoxication, drug possession, and distribution, while an additional 250,000 students are referred to school administrators for disciplinary action.
Penalties Students Face For Criminal Activities
According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) , both private and public colleges and universities employ campus law enforcement officers to maintain law and order for students as well as staff. While these officers patrol and maintain the general safety on campus, one of their main advantages is being able to provide a faster response time than having to call in outside forces when an incident does occur. While some campuses may choose to use non-sworn security officers for this task, as many as 75 percent of all colleges maintain a sworn, armed police force able to make arrests, with jurisdiction both on and off campus. The result is that a student accused of a criminal matter on or near school grounds is likely to find themselves in local or county lockup, pending bail or release.
Crimes that occur on campus are charged under the local jurisdiction, and are subject to state laws. Depending on the crime committed, penalties involved may include fines, probation, mandatory participation in community service or drug and alcohol programs, as well as a potential jail sentence. The South Carolina Judicial Department defines criminal charges as the following:
Misdemeanor crimes: These are often considered to be less serious crimes, which carry minimal jail sentences. Examples include simple possession of marijuana, simple assault, public intoxication, and minor theft crimes.
Felony crimes: A felony is a more serious matter, carrying the potential for a year or more of jail time. Examples include aggravated assault, drug distribution, armed robbery, and rape.
If you are arrested under either of the above charges, you have the right to a bond hearing within 24 hours of arrest. In cases involving minor crimes, the state may offer to settle the matter immediately if you plead guilty and paying the associated fine and court costs. In more serious matters, you are likely to have your case referred to trial. In either scenario, before accepting a plea or making any statements, you should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney.
School Sanctions for Criminal Matters
If you have a run in with campus security, you are likely to be facing serious school sanctions, regardless of whether or not criminal charges have been filed. Every college and university has their own code of conduct which students are required to follow, and sanctions for infractions could include the following:
Parental notification;
Mandatory participation in therapeutic or rehabilitation programs;
Placement on academic suspension;
Loss of scholarships and financial aid;
Removal from campus housing;
Permanent expulsion.
According to the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) , students facing disciplinary matters on the college level have the right to due process, which often takes the form of disciplinary hearings held by campus administrators. At this hearing, evidence against you will be presented, and a decision will be made regarding the appropriate form of sanctions or punishments. These sanctions can have long ranging effects on your academic career, and FIRE advises that students get appropriate legal counsel prior to attending these hearings.
In addition to the school sanctions you could be facing, it is also important to understand the impact any criminal charges could have on your ability to receive federal aid. The U.S. Department of Education advises that drug charges and sexual assault related charges could prevent you from obtaining Pell Grants and guaranteed state and federal student loans, both now and in the years to come.
Contact Our Experienced Charlotte Criminal Defense Attorney Today
If you or someone you care about is facing criminal charges that could impact your college education, get the legal help you need and contact our experienced South Carolina criminal defense attorney right away. Greenville attorney Lauren M. Taylor of Lauren Taylor Law provides the aggressive legal representation you need at a time like this, and works diligently to ensure your rights and future interests are protected. Do not let a single incident ruin your chance for getting the education you need to succeed. Serving Greenville and the entire Upstate area, call or contact our office online today for a confidential case evaluation.
South Carolina divorce attorney Lauren Taylor practices family law in Charleston and Greenville. She graduated from the Charlotte School of Law, and has been practicing for more than ten years.
Since the firm’s inception in 2012, Mrs. Taylor has helped hundreds of people navigate the uncertainties surrounding the family and criminal court process.
She has cultivated a team that ensures each case has a strategy crafted specifically to the clients needs and desires.
Her commitment to top notch service has led her to open two additional offices in the low country where she now resides with her husband Michael and her golden retriever, Buster.