Teenagers and young adults are often reckless, and make mistakes. Unfortunately, without strong legal representation, the impact of those mistakes could follow them throughout their lives. Sometimes, students may face the consequences of their actions in Court in a criminal case, while other times, they face disciplinary actions from their high school or college. Occasionally it can be both Court and School or University.
If your child is in trouble, reach out to a Boca Raton student defense Lawyer as soon as possible. A skilled local Attorney at Leifert & Leifert will mount an aggressive defense and try to protect and safeguard your child’s rights, future and reputation.
What are the Most Common Student Offenses?
Some of the most common criminal charges that students face include the following:
- Underage drinking charges
- Drug possession charges
- Driving while intoxicated
- Assault and battery
- Date rape and other sexual misconduct charges
- Disorderly conduct
- Shoplifting
- Damaging school property
- Stalking or Harassing another student
The student defense Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert have worked with students facing many different types of criminal charges as well as disciplinary actions at their schools or Universities. Concerned families should schedule a consultation to discuss the details of the student’s accused offenses as soon as possible.
What is the Impact of a Criminal Conviction?
If the student is over 18, they will be charged as an adult, which could bring harsh and permanent consequences in the form of a criminal record. That criminal record could continue to affect them for many years to come. It could lead to their suspension or expulsion from their high school or college and also impact their ability to gain admission to college, or to obtain the loans necessary to pay for college. Even as the student ages, a criminal record could continue to hurt them because they would have to disclose the conviction on any future employment applications. A local defense Attorney could work with a student facing criminal consequences to try to dismiss or reduce the charges and minimize the potential negative impacts on heir future.
School Disciplinary Actions
High school and college students sometimes face disciplinary proceedings at their school, either simultaneously with or instead of criminal prosecutions. Even though the disciplinary proceedings and criminal prosecutions may both stem from the same alleged offense, the procedures and the consequences can be quite different.
Procedures
School disciplinary actions usually take place without as many protections and rights for the accused. There are no strict rules regarding procedure or evidence, there is no presumption of innocence, and the school does not need to prove that the student committed the alleged crime beyond a reasonable doubt. A college may have a judiciary board that is responsible for upholding the school’s integrity. The board may be comprised of students and a dean, all of whom may have no formal legal training. The main concern of the board is often to protect the school, its reputation, and the well being of other students faculty and staff, not necessarily the accused student.
Outcomes
One type of offense that students may face at a school disciplinary hearing, and not in a criminal prosecution, is for cheating or plagiarism. Although cheating is not necessarily a crime, students could still face steep administrative punishments that could involve suspension or expulsion from their school.
Most common are issues related to stalking and harassment via social media platforms such as Instagram, Snap Chat, Facebook and most recently, Tic-Tok videos
Local Lawyers have experience with student defense cases, and would help the student present their side of the story in a manner that could help eliminate or at least reduce the chances of administrative punishments jeopardizing their future dreams and potentials.
Contact a Boca Raton Student Defense Lawyer As Soon As Possible
Students who make mistakes should not have to bear the consequences of those mistakes for the rest of their lives, especially if those consequences have the potential to derail a person’s future for the worse.
It is essential to contact an experienced Lawyer who will try to protect your child’s future by aggressively defending them today. Call a Boca Raton student defense Lawyer at Leifert & Leifert today to schedule an initial consultation.
