Student Crimes Lawyer in Kalamazoo
Once upon a time, a high school or college student who was generally a “good kid” could make a mistake like underage drinking, a fight, or even a first-offense OWI without serious consequences. Those days are gone. Law enforcement and prosecutors take student-committed crimes seriously, and that tendency is growing as violence in schools raises greater concerns about certain types of crimes.
If you’re a student who has been charged with a crime or the parent of a student charged with a crime, you can’t afford to wait and hope for the best. A criminal conviction, even a misdemeanor conviction, can follow a person indefinitely. Some possible consequences for a student convicted of a crime include:
- Jail time
- Fines
- Community Service
- Disciplinary action from the educational institution, up to expulsion
- Denial of admission to college or graduate school
- Loss of or limitation on employment prospects
- Disqualification from eligibility for certain grants or loans
Protect your student’s future. Call 269-978-6560 right now to schedule a free consultation.
Student Crimes Are Still Crimes
The law is neutral, meaning that it doesn’t treat crimes differently simply because the accused is young or happens to be a student. The possible penalties remain the same, including mandatory consequences such as driver’s license suspension.
At Sharp & Associates Law Firm, we understand that teenagers and young adults don’t have the same decision-making capacity as adults—it’s a simple, well-documented biological fact. This imperfect judgment can be aggravated by alcohol, drugs, and even environment.
We don’t want to see a youthful mistake haunt your student for years to come, and we know you don’t either. Our goal is always to provide our client with the best defense possible, and to negotiate for or fight for the outcome that allows the student to move forward with his or her life unobstructed.
Crimes Specific to Students and Young People
In some circumstances, young people are subject to legal restrictions that don’t apply to their older peers. For example, a 20-year-old college student may be charged with underage drinking while an adult aged 21 or older cannot. Similarly, a person over the age of 21 is generally charged with OWI only if his or her blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 or greater. However, a driver aged 20 or younger may be charged with a BAC as low as .02.
Common Student Crimes in Michigan
Of course, a student can commit any crime, just like any other citizen. But, the vast majority of student crimes involve alcohol-related crimes, traffic offenses, and other misdemeanors. Some of the most common include:
- Operating While Intoxicated (OWI)
- Drug Possession
- Underage Drinking
- Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor
- Disorderly Conduct
- Assault and Battery
Some student crimes are more serious, such as sexual assault or repeat criminal conduct such as:
- A second or subsequent OWI
- Repeat Drug Possession charges
- A history of violence
If Your Child Has Been Charged with a Crime, Talk to a Criminal Defense Lawyer Right Away
Don’t be misled into believing that an incident like a fight on a college campus, sneaking alcohol into the high school dance and sharing it with friends or possession of a small amount of marijuana isn’t a serious matter simply because this type of crime is common and the accused is young.
The risks are serious. Your protection should be, too.
Get help from an attorney who is invested in your student’s future and will work hard to protect his or her rights and achieve the best result possible. It’s as easy as picking up the phone and dialing 269-978-6560. The initial consultation is free.