Arkansas Criminal Defense for Students
A criminal record could disqualify your student from student aid and student loans. It could also result in suspension from a school team and even result in expulsion. One mistake shouldn’t impact the rest of your child’s life or hinder their future career prospects. If your college student is in trouble with a local college or university you should immediately consult with a criminal defense lawyer who has experience handling student-related crimes.
The Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. has experience representing youthful or first-time offenders. Our attorneys work to ensure you know your rights and are treated fairly by the school system. We strongly believe a student should not be over-punished for a lack of judgment resulting in serious and lasting ramifications.
Legal Representing for College Students
The most common mistakes made by college students have to do with alcohol or experimenting with drugs during a party and local police are called. Binge drinking and drug experimentation on college campuses is not uncommon, and young people will sometimes do more foolish things as a result.
Many times, students have not previously been in trouble with the law and will not have a criminal record. Our attorneys can use this to our advantage in their defense and during their school disciplinary hearing oftentimes resulting in a more lenient punishment.
Our attorneys can emphasize a student’s good school record, lack of criminal record, and might even use their grades or degree (if they are good) to show the court that this is not a sign of consistently bad behavior from the student, but rather a youthful indiscretion.
Common Charges Against College Students
We have experience handling all types of misdemeanor and felony charges against college students including the following, and more:
- Underage drinking, driving under the Influence DUI / DWI
- Drug possession – which include possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, simple possession of marijuana and prescription drugs
- Drug dealing or manufacturing – possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver
- Sex crimes including sexual assault, date rape, rape, child molestation and lewd molestation
- Greek Life – violations of Arkansas Anti-Hazing Law
- Theft crimes such as shoplifting, petty theft and burglary
- Violent offenses such as weapons offenses, assault and battery or gang-related crimes
- Other common offenses include: disorderly conduct. vandalism, resisting arrest, drag racing and traffic violations
Arkansas College Disciplinary Hearings
Arkansas schools and colleges take crimes seriously. It’s very important you recognize the seriousness of school disciplinary actions and take every available step to protect your students’ rights and reputation.
College disciplinary hearings are considered quasi-administrative legal proceedings and the Supreme Court of the United States has held that students facing discipline have a right to due process, including fair notice, the opportunity to present evidence and witness, and the right to an attorney. For anything more than a warning we recommend consulting an attorney as soon as you receive notice of a disciplinary hearing.
Arkansas Schools Where We Handle Hearings and Cases
Our attorneys have experience representing students attending the following local schools and colleges:
- University of Arkansas at Fayetteville – U of A
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)
- University of Arkansas (U of A) School of Law
- Sam M. Walton College of Business
- Eleanor Mann School of Nursing (EMSON) at the University of Arkansas
- Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design, at the U of A
- Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the U of A
- Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, at the U of A
- School of Journalism and Strategic Media, at the U of A
- University of Arkansas School of Social Work
- University of Arkansas School of Art
- University of Arkansas Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Program
- John Brown University (JBU)
- Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC)
- Ecclesia College
- Bryan University in Rogers
We also represent juveniles, kindergarten through senior high, attending area private or public schools.
Our Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyers Can Help
A criminal defense attorney will have the necessary experience to ensure the best legal outcome for your child. Your child should avoid making statements to friends, school administration, police, or school disciplinary boards until after they receive counsel from a criminal defense attorney.
Contact the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. today for your free no obligation review of your student’s case. We will work to aggressively defend your student from both criminal and disciplinary accusations.