Harsh penalties for students with criminal backgrounds

April 24, 2013

Harsh penalties for students with criminal backgrounds

Article provided by Horwitz & Horwitz, LLC
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When students apply for college, they often have to answer questions about their criminal history. Although not all universities use this information to bar students' admission, it can often have a negative impact the school's admission decision as well as the student's option to live on campus.

School shootings and heightened campus security

In recent months, school shootings have been in the spotlight, and many students are concerned with safety on their college campuses. Although many campuses across the nation prohibit firearms, but some students do not believe that the regulation will keep a random act of violence from happening. Procedures have been established if an emergency does happen, and this brings some students a sense of security.

Prevention of crime

Prevention is the best way to stop criminal activity on campus from ever happening. Many universities are taking a closer look at the students they are admitting and are taking actions against students connected with crime. When a student admits to a criminal activity, schools often perform a background check, and the student may or may not be admitted, depending on the severity of their crime. Student involvement in crime is playing a much more important role in the admissions process.

The policies of universities in Ohio vary. At Cleveland State University, a student convicted of a violent crime is typically not admitted. Individuals applying to the University of Akron may be admitted even if they have been convicted of a sexual assault, but they will not be allowed to live in the dorms. Drug crimes are handled in a similar fashion. And lying about crime convictions on a college application is not a solution because if the university finds out, it will usually deny admission altogether.

Social media plays a role

University admissions committees do not conduct a social media check for every applicant, but when suspicions are aroused, they may use it as a reference. Evidence of criminal activity in the form of pictures or statements can affect scholarship eligibility as well as student employment prospects on campus. For example, a resident advisor at Ohio State University lost his job after posting pictures of himself on his Facebook page with underage residents who were drinking. A survey conducted by Kaplan Test Prep found that one out of every four universities check their student-applicants' Facebook account or do a Google search on them, looking for suggestions of plagiarism, evidence of underage drinking and more.

The seriousness of student crimes

The consequences of being charged with a crime can extend far beyond court proceedings and potential fines. In some cases, simply being charged with a crime can result in administrative penalties from the college or university. Students are just beginning their journey towards a better future, and having a criminal charge and the possibility of a conviction hanging over their heads can be overwhelming. Underage drinking, theft charges and even vandalism will have a negative impact, particularly if the accused is convicted.

Because of the serious impact a criminal charge may have on his or her future, any student arrested on suspicion of a crime should contact an experienced criminal law attorney who will provide vigorous representation no matter the charge.