How to Handle Criminal Charges Against Students on NY College Campuses

May 15, 2011

Some upstate New York college students may think anything that happens on campus stays on campus, but this does not hold true for criminal activities. If charged with and convicted of state or federal crimes, college students could face serious legal consequences that may limit their future potential. While college students may be capable and intelligent enough to handle many difficult situations, they need the help and support of their parents and an experienced criminal defense attorney to minimize the impact of criminal charges.

Criminal Charges

While the campus barrier does not dictate the kind of crimes college students may commit, some crimes are more common. These include drug possession, dealing drugs, drunk driving, assault, underage drinking, trespassing and fake IDs. Two crimes, sexual assault and theft, are particularly common on college campuses. Recent U.S. Department of Education statistics show that for New York schools with more than 10,000 students, burglary and forcible sexual offenses were the most-committed crimes on campus in 2009.

Lasting Impact

For college students, the consequences of criminal charges and convictions are numerous. Besides the obvious issues of legal fees, fines and jail time or probation, students also run the risk of losing financial aid and scholarship eligibility. Suspension or expulsion from school may also occur following serious criminal acts. If a criminal conviction goes on a student's permanent record, this could additionally impact future educational and job opportunities, especially with the common practice of background checks.

Parental Support

Most college students cannot afford to hire their own criminal defense attorneys, nor can they manage their cases without legal help. As a result, students charged with crimes on college campuses need both financial and emotional parental support to mitigate the impact a conviction could have on their permanent records. In particular, parents of students who go to school in upstate New York, but who are from another state, need the aid of an attorney familiar with New York criminal law and how to navigate the criminal process.

Legal Defense

Criminally charged upstate New York college students or their parents should consult an experienced New York criminal defense attorney immediately following a criminal charge. There is no substitute for having an aggressive attorney versed in New York criminal law on the student's side, especially when prosecutors seek the heaviest penalties available. Seeking sound legal defense representation may also prevent many of the real world consequences that students' could potentially suffer when faced with criminal charges.

Article provided by Mark J. Sacco
Visit us at www.mjsacco.com