Tarrant County Student Defense Lawyer

High school and college students often make mistakes, but those mistakes should not impact a young person’s life forever. When students get in legal trouble and do not have adequate legal representation helping them navigate the ins and outs of the prosecutorial process, they may face penalties that could impact their academic standing or ability to secure employment later in life—not to mention, the potential for serious legal consequences.

Experienced student defense lawyers in Tarrant County are knowledgeable about Texas state laws that target juveniles and young adults and could help accused individuals build strong defenses against whatever charges they face.

If you are facing criminal charges at Everest College, Texas Christian University, Texas Wesleyan University, UT Arlington, or anywhere else in Tarrant County, consider contacting a Tarrant County student defense lawyer for dedicated legal representation, counsel, and more.

Common Student Crimes in Tarrant County

Depending on their actions and choices, students can face criminal charges in a number of realms, including but not limited to:

• Driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI)
• Drug possession
• Underage drinking
• Theft/shoplifting
• Violent crimes such as assault and/or battery
• Disorderly conduct
• Academic or disciplinary misconduct

Not only do such charges carry the risk of a university or high school student conduct hearings that may result in suspension or expulsion, but criminal charges may be possible as well. It is often important for accused students to have a strong defense and feel supported through disciplinary and criminal proceedings, both of which a student defense attorney in Tarrant County could help with.

What to Expect from a University Investigation

While the investigative processes for criminal or conduct violations may vary from school to school, they largely follow a similar structure. First, an incident report or complaint is typically filed with the Student Conduct office to launch the investigation. Complaints are made when students are accused of violating the Code of Student Conduct. This Code also varies from school to school, but often covers both on- and off-campus behavior.

Depending on the decision of the University Conduct Board, a student may face sanctions such as a formal reprimand, probation, suspension, or dismissal. The latter two sanctions will appear on a student’s academic transcript. Alternatively, a student may be arrested and charged for a crime at the municipal, state, or federal level, and then have to undergo a university investigation for the alleged conduct.

Avoiding Long-Term Consequences

Young people are sometimes targeted because they are often unaware of their rights. Law enforcement officers may engage in illegal searches and seizures to target teenagers and young adults for drug possession charges or misinterpret probable cause for young drivers pulled over for driving under the influence.

If found guilty of crimes committed while young and impressionable, students can face long-term and severe consequences. They may encounter difficulty trying to secure employment, find certain postgraduate educational opportunities are now be out of reach, and have trouble securing small business and/or student loans.

It is also worth noting that in some cases, 17-year-olds in Texas can be charged as adults for their crimes, making potential penalties much more severe. In such cases, assistance from a steadfast Tarrant County student defense attorney may be more important than ever for a student to avoid life-long penalties.

Hiring a Tarrant County Student Defense Attorney

Students’ futures should not be dictated by a one-time mistake. If you are a student or the parent or guardian of a student who is facing criminal charges, contact a Tarrant County student defense lawyer today. A seasoned local attorney could understand the intricacies of Texas law and help students accused of misdemeanors and felonies alike in getting their lives back on track.