If you are a college student facing criminal charges, or if you are a parent of an Ohio University student facing charges, I can help. When a college student is charged with a crime, there is a lot at stake. The potential of expulsion or losing a scholarship, jail time, fines and severe limitations for future career prospects all come into play. Now is the time to get the strongest defense available.
I am a dedicated attorney with more than 25 years of criminal defense experience, a Ph.D. in criminology, and extensive knowledge regarding forensic evidence. I combine this knowledge and training with a charismatic courtroom presence, intense commitment and effort, and thorough preparation in every one of the cases I handle.
I know how serious it is when a college student faces criminal charges. My goal as an Athens college student defense lawyer is to defeat the charges and protect your family’s future.
Although a “college crime” can be any crime committed by someone in college, and I can provide defense against any type of criminal charge, the most common charges I handle for Athens college students involve drugs, alcohol, and sex crimes.
Binge drinking is almost a rite of passage — it is so common in college. However, this time-honored tradition often leads to serious criminal charges:
I also defend college students charged with possession of drugs (marijuana, cocaine, prescription pills, heroin, amphetamines, etc), trafficking, cultivation, and other drug crimes.
Sexual assault or rape is the most common sex crime allegation against college students. In many cases, the accused, the alleged victim, or both, were under the influence of alcohol when the incident occurred, and may not remember giving consent – or the alleged victim may have lied about their age.
College students may not have extensive sexual experience and may still be learning the practicalities of obtaining explicit consent. However, the emergence of “yes means yes” laws, and the sex offender registration requirements that often apply, make it vital that you have a strong and experienced attorney on your side. I also defend college students in Athens against importuning, gross sexual imposition, and other sex-related charges – in many sex-related cases, the claim that the incident did not happen is sometimes the best defense.
When defending a college student, my priority is to obtain a dismissal of all charges. When that is impossible, diversion programs may be an excellent option for first offenders, or negotiating for a charge reduction to a non-criminal offense. In many cases, it is even possible to seal the student’s criminal record, which is crucial for their future.
When the charge is a serious felony and there are no grounds for dismissal, I will usually advocate for diversion programs or reduced charges. Sometimes, forcing a prosecutor to prove the charge at trial may be the best option. If not, my negotiations with prosecutors focus on preserving every opportunity for the student to eventually reach their full potential and not let this situation be an albatross that harms their future prospects.
Students accused of sexual assault or other crimes may also face suspension or expulsion from Ohio University. Title IX mandates that colleges and universities take sexual assault accusations seriously, and they do.
Crimes that have no relationship to sexual matters may also be violations of the University’s conduct or honor codes, and also could lead to disciplinary proceedings. As a result, if your criminal case is not handled properly, you may face consequences with the university. I can help you as an Athens-based college student defense lawyer, so call today for help.