College can be an exciting time for your child, but it’s also a vulnerable one. When your student is away from home for the first time, they might end up in a difficult situation.

If your college student has been arrested and is facing criminal charges, you need to call our Grand Rapids, MI college crime lawyers right away. A criminal record can stand between your child and their financial aid, their education, and even future employment. Please contact us with any additional questions regarding your case.

College students can face any number of criminal charges, including:

School Policy Is Not the Law

Before hiring a college crime lawyer, it’s important to know that there is a difference between violating school policy and committing a crime. When a college student violates school policy, the consequences are determined by their college’s disciplinary system. When a college student commits a crime, the consequences will be determined by a jury in a court of law.

If there is any overlap between violating school policy and committing a crime, the police and university will conduct their own separate investigations. Keep in mind that just because your child was cleared by the university, doesn’t mean that they won’t be convicted of criminal charges in a court of law. Likewise, your child may be expelled from their school even if they’re found not guilty of a crime.

Your child’s university may have a lower standard of proof than a court of law, which means less evidence is needed for the university to issue repercussions. For example, college athletes accused of crimes may be suspended from their teams until charges are dropped or they are found not guilty. A criminal defense attorney for college students can help ensure the best legal outcome for your child.

College Students Are At Risk

Many college students are away from their parents for the first time, which makes them especially vulnerable when facing charges for college campus crimes. Since young adults are away from their support systems, they may not be able to afford the legal representation they need to build a strong defense.

If your child is attending college in a different state, this can also complicate their situation. Laws vary from state to state and you may have difficulty trying to support your child when you are halfway across the country.

Their Career Is At Stake

If your child is pursuing a degree in criminal justice, education, or health care, they will need the best legal representation to avoid a permanent criminal record. Your child will not be able to pursue careers in these fields if they are convicted of a crime.

If your college student is charged with DUI, you’ll want to hire our Grand Rapids lawyers as soon as possible to prevent them from losing their driver’s license. Many college students depend on their driver’s license to drive to school, internships, and jobs. Other DUI consequences for college students include losing scholarship funding or even being expelled from their college.

Our College Crime Attorneys Can Help

A college crime lawyer will have the necessary experience to build a strong case and ensure the best legal outcome for your child. Your child should avoid making statements to friends, police, or disciplinary boards until after they receive counsel from our criminal defense attorneys. Crime on college campusesis not taken lightly, which is why your child will need legal representation.

If your college student has been charged with a crime, don’t panic. At John Engman & Associates, P.C., our Michigan criminal defense attorneys will do everything in their power to help your child clear their name. To request a consultation with one of our Grand Rapids, MI college crime lawyers, give our office a call at (616) 454-5222.