Philadelphia Defense Lawyer for College Students with Criminal Charges

Universities and college campuses can feel like their own little cities and towns. Many universities even have their own security and police forces. However, the law applies to college students the same as it applies to everyone else. Offenses committed by college students may result in serious criminal charges. However, the situation is made more complicated because school officials may be involved, and the student’s enrollment status may be in jeopardy.

Are you a college student who has been arrested for a crime in Philadelphia? If so, Lloyd Long may be able to help. When a university student is charged with a crime in Pennsylvania, it is important to not only protect the student’s rights in court but also respect the school’s disciplinary process.

Our Philadelphia university student criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to helping college students maintain clean criminal records while seeking to protect their futures from the consequences of a criminal conviction. Call The Law Offices of Lloyd Long to schedule a free case review with our Philadelphia criminal defense lawyers. Call our team at (215) 302-0171.

Common Crimes Our Philadelphia College Student Defense Attorneys Handle

The Philadelphia college student criminal defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Lloyd Long provide criminal defense services and representation for college students for a wide range of criminal offenses. Common code violations and crimes that students are charged with or accused of include the following:

• Alcohol-Related Charges
  • Intoxicated Driving
  • Public Intoxication
  • Underage Drinking

• Drug Possession and Distribution
  • Cocaine Possession
  • Ecstasy Possession
  • LSD Possession
  • Marijuana Possession
  • Selling Marijuana

• Drunk Driving/Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
  • Breathalyzer Refusal
  • Marijuana DUI
  • Open Container Violations

• Fake ID Charges
  • Making Fake IDs
  • Selling Fake IDs
  • Using a Fake ID to Buy Alcohol

• Sex Crimes
  • Rape
  • Revenge Porn Offenses
  • Sexual Assault
  • Statutory Sexual Assault (Statutory Rape)

• Other Offenses
  • Bomb Threats
  • Cheating
  • Disorderly Conduct
  • Gun Possession/Possession of Weapons
  • Hate Crimes
  • Hazing
  • Identity Theft
  • Plagiarism
  • Shoplifting
  • Vandalism/Destruction of Property

If convicted of a crime, a university student may not only face jail time and fines, but they may be suspended or expelled from school and even struggle to find a job, housing, and more. Whether a college student has been charged with a summary offense, misdemeanor, or a felony, our Philadelphia university student criminal defense attorneys are ready to help.

Administrative Penalties for a College Student’s Criminal Charges in Philadelphia

When college students are criminally charged, they face penalties from the state in addition to penalties from their school. Most colleges and universities have strict policies regarding student conduct. It is very common for schools to prohibit any criminal activity. If a student is criminally charged, the school might take disciplinary steps outside the criminal justice system.

The outcome of any school disciplinary hearing or proceeding does not necessarily depend on the outcome of the related criminal case. You could be found not guilty of your criminal charges or even have the charges dropped, and the school could still choose to initiate disciplinary actions. Disciplinary actions from your school could include suspension, academic probation, expulsion, or restrictions on certain student privileges. It is important to discuss your case with our Philadelphia college student criminal defense attorneys because the disciplinary actions in your case will depend on your school’s code of student conduct.

Your school’s disciplinary proceedings are likely to be completed alongside your criminal proceedings. School disciplinary proceedings may involve full investigations by your college or university’s authorities. There may also be formal or informal hearings where you and possibly any alleged victims may attend and speak. If you are found not guilty in your criminal proceedings or the charges are dropped, we can still bring it up with your school. While it does not guarantee that disciplinary hearings will cease, it may help your case.

Non-Criminal Offenses on College Campuses in Philadelphia

Your college or university may treat certain offenses as though they were serious crimes, but they are not actually criminal offenses. Schools take certain offenses, particularly academic violations, very seriously. Disciplinary hearings may be initiated against you for such violations even if they do not constitute real crimes.

One common example of a non-criminal offense on a college campus is academic dishonesty. Universities and colleges require that all students complete their coursework on their own under fair conditions. Cheating and plagiarism are taken extremely seriously and may result in consequences from your school similar to those for real criminal offenses.

You could potentially be suspended, expelled, or face other disciplinary actions from your school for student conduct violations. Fortunately, colleges and universities tend to handle these cases in formal hearings similar to criminal proceedings. You are often permitted to have an attorney help you throughout the process. Our Philadelphia university student criminal defense attorneys are prepared to assist college students at academic or disciplinary hearings for both criminal and non-criminal offenses.

Long Term Consequences of Criminal Charges for College Students in Philadelphia

The consequences of disciplinary actions related to criminal charges can be long-lasting and life-altering. A criminal record makes it hard to get jobs, housing, or take advantage of other opportunities. If you were convicted of a sexual offense in college, you might be required to register as a sex offender for years or even forever. Many criminal offenses carry unfair stigmas and lifelong shame.

If you are convicted of a crime while in college, it can be difficult to put the pieces of your life back together, even if the offense was relatively minor. You might have to delay graduation and post-graduation plans or employment because of a criminal conviction. In some cases, you might be set back by a semester or even a whole year. In other cases, you might be expelled and must enroll in a different university. Criminal convictions can make transferring to a new school difficult, and you might not be able to complete your education.

If you are fortunate enough to complete your education and get your degree, a criminal conviction might hinder your graduate school endeavors. Certain graduate-level programs might not admit you if you have a criminal background. Alternatively, the licensing for graduates of certain programs might require clean criminal histories. For example, many states make it harder for people with criminal backgrounds to be admitted to the state bar and become lawyers, even after they graduate from law school.

Can A College Student’s Criminal Record be Expunged in Philadelphia?

Luckily, not every criminal conviction will remain on your record forever. It may be possible to have your record expunged or sealed. When this happens, the offense in question is wiped from your record and treated as if it never existed. Our Philadelphia college student criminal defense attorneys will help you get your expungement process started. However, not all offenses are eligible for expungement.

Many minor crimes can be expunged from your record. Small misdemeanors or infractions can be expunged after a certain amount of time passes after being convicted. However, this process is not automatic, and not all offenses are eligible. Typically, you must remain free of new charges and convictions to be eligible for expungement. If you were convicted of additional criminal charges, your earlier charges might not be eligible for expungement.

Violent crimes are typically not eligible for expungement. If you were convicted for something violent, like sexual assault, gun violence, or someone along those lines, you cannot expunge the conviction from your record at all. College students are at a unique advantage because they are so young. If you play your cards right, you can probably have your record expunged in a few years while still in your 20’s. This time might be even shorter if you were not yet 18 at the time of conviction. Talk to our Philadelphia university student criminal defense attorneys for more information about expunging criminal records for college students.

Contact Our Philadelphia College Student Criminal Defense Lawyers

When your future and reputation are at stake, you can count on us for effective and aggressive legal representation. If you are a college student charged with a crime, contact our Philadelphia criminal defense lawyers of The Law Offices of Lloyd Long at (215) 302-0171 to schedule a free review of your case as soon as possible.