Drug-related offenses are some of the most serious. When the charges are against a college student and relate to an on-campus incident, the stakes are even higher and can have life-long implications. Whether the alleged crime relates to possession or distribution of drugs on a college campus, the consequences can be incredibly serious. In addition to criminal penalties, including fines and potential jail time, college students convicted of on-campus drug crimes could face school disciplinary action ranging from loss of scholarships to expulsion.
If you are a college student or the parent of a college student who is facing drug-related charges, the potential impact on the student’s future is too great to ignore. An experienced Delray Beach campus drug offense Lawyer at Leifert & Leifert understands what is at stake and can help provide a serious legal defense.
Academic Discipline Can Apply to On and Off-Campus Crimes
Depending on the college or university’s code of student conduct, even a drug-related charge from an incident that occurred off-campus but at a property owned by the academic institution, fraternity or sorority house or at a formal school event, such as a basketball game, may still subject the student to disciplinary proceedings.
While it may be tempting to believe a college or university will not find out if the drug-related charges did not arise from an incident on campus, law enforcement may directly notify a school. Even if the police do not directly notify the academic institution, an arrest will still be public information and may appear in the local paper or Court records, where it could be viewed by administrators. Given the potential reputational and financial impacts, there are few crimes a college student should be more wary of than drug charges, and a Delray Beach Attorney should become involved immediately.
Potential Consequences of Drug-Related College Crimes
Depending on the facts of the specific case, including the type and amount of drug involved in the alleged crime, charges of possession or distribution can range from a first-degree Misdemeanor to a first-degree Felony. The potential possible penalties for a conviction range from fines of less than $1,000 to multiple years in prison. Beyond the serious criminal punishments, the disciplinary consequences for college students convicted of drug-related offenses can have even further-reaching and longer-lasting impacts. A few examples of potential student disciplinary sanctions relating to on or off-campus drug-related crimes can include the following:
- Mandatory drug-related counseling
- Loss of campus housing
- Loss of academic scholarships
- Removal from sports teams
- Academic Probation
- Suspension
- Expulsion
The combination of having a drug charge on a criminal record and disciplinary action on an academic record can pose a serious obstacle to a person’s future career path. A Lawyer in Delray Beach can work to mitigate the consequences of a campus drug offense.
Talk to a Knowledgeable Delray Beach College Drug Charge Attorney Today
Whether you have been accused of possession of a controlled substance or distribution of drugs on campus, a criminal conviction can have long-lasting effects. To protect your current and future reputation, the first step is to consult with an experienced Attorney at Leifert & Leifert. Let our seasoned Delray Beach campus drug offense lawyers focus on preparing your legal defense and fighting on your behalf so that you can focus on your studies with as few distractions as possible. Call us today if you have been charged with a campus drug-related offense.
