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Many college students get picked up for a criminal offense, often something minor like disorderly conduct or public intoxication. However other students can face felony charges for violent crimes.
It’s no secret that a criminal history is a cloud that can hang over a young adult’s head for the remainder of their life. Moving on will be quite difficult, especially trying to find a job or a place to live.
Moffitt Law, LLC can help. Our LaGrange criminal defense attorney can discuss the charges you are facing and what to expect. We can review the evidence against you and then determine the best resolution to your case. Reach out for a confidential meeting.
Why You Shouldn’t Immediately Plead Guilty
Some defendants think that pleading guilty is an effective way to put the case behind them so they can move on with life. But there are real problems, including:
- Difficulty gaining admission to college with a criminal conviction
- Trouble finding a job if an employer pulls a criminal background check
- Problems renting an apartment after a landlord pulls a background report
- Being rejected for student loans for having any type of drug offense
Depending on the facts, the smarter choice could be to fight the charges.
Can You Go to College with a Felony?
Yes. You might go to college. There isn’t a law prohibiting someone with a felony in their background from gaining admission to a college or university. Each school handles its admissions and decides who to admit.
Most institutions of higher learning will ask about an applicant’s criminal history. They might also pull a criminal history report. But it’s up to each institution to decide how much weight to give it.
A felony is the most serious crime in Georgia. You are certainly appearing as a risk to the admissions committee. The school will want to hear your side of what happened, but you can’t make excuses.
Can You Get Kicked Out of College for a Felony?
Each university has its student code of conduct. The school will decide whether a criminal conviction warrants expulsion.
In our experience, the odds are high that you will be kicked out of school if you commit a crime on the university premises. Did you victimize another student in a violent attack? Were you stalking or harassing a fellow student? Then suspension or expulsion is warranted. The school will not want to explain to other parents why they put students in jeopardy.
If you committed a felony off-campus, then the university might treat it differently. It’s hard to say.
Certainly, felonies raise all sorts of red flags for university officials, regardless of where they are committed.
Can You Get Kicked Out of College for a Misdemeanor?
The same general rules apply. Each school will decide whether to expel you for a misdemeanor offense. However, the odds of disciplinary action are much higher if you committed the offense on school property than if you committed a misdemeanor at home during the summer break. Still, the best result is to avoid any type of criminal conviction in the first place. You can then honestly argue you were innocent.
What Should You Do?
A college student will improve their chances of staying in school—or gaining admission if they are not already admitted—by tackling the criminal offense head-on. This means meeting with an experienced LaGrange criminal defense lawyer to go over the evidence against you. Getting the charges dismissed would be ideal.
If you need to fund your education with loans, then certain criminal convictions can make you temporarily or permanently ineligible for aid. This is true of even minor drug charges. Please talk about this reality with your attorney. You might overcome a misdemeanor and gain college admission, only to realize it is completely unaffordable because you cannot take out loans.
Contact Us to Speak with a LaGrange Criminal Defense Lawyer
Moffitt Law, LLC, has helped many young people at the start of their lives get on their feet after an arrest. You need a zealous legal advocate who has your best interests at heart. We can help you think through your options. Do not simply plead guilty without giving substantial thought about how a guilty verdict will impact your future. Often, we can get a much better disposition, such as a dismissal or an alternative sentencing arrangement. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a criminal defense attorney with our firm.
