Lynchburg Criminal Defense Blog

Lots of people enjoy parties on campuses in Virginia, and if you don't go to a school with a dry campus, there is a chance that alcohol with be part of the festivities. It's important to keep in mind that not everyone who attends college is over the age of 21. Typically, it's only juniors or seniors in college who are 21 or older, which creates a risk of younger students having access to alcohol when they should not.

Giving alcohol to a minor is a criminal offense, and getting caught drinking underage is as well. There are some things you should do if you find out there are underage people at your party with alcohol, so that you can protect yourself.

People who live in Virginia and who are convicted of criminal offenses will understandably want to learn about the penalties they may face. Depending on the nature of the offense for which a person is convicted, it is possible that there will be little variance in the penalties as many crimes carry with them mandated sentencing guidelines. Many of these require that a defendant be sentenced to a required minimum length of time with absolutely no regard given to the specifics of the case.

Mandatory minimum sentences have been a topic of debate and come under fire by many who assert they are not fair. According to a report by WJLA, two bills were recently passed in the state legislature that would add even more mandatory minimum sentences into the state's code. The Governor, however, has indicated that he intends to veto both of these bills because he does not agree with the required mandatory sentences.

When you are preparing to begin attending college in Virginia, you may have never considered the impact that socializing, partying and having a good time would potentially have on your educational experience. At Mark B. Arthur Attorney at Law, we are committed to helping people who may be facing criminal charges. 

For many people, one of the most memorable parts of their college experience are the parties they went to and the people they met. In fact, some of the people you meet while going to college could become some of your lifelong friends. However, spending too much time socializing or becoming involved in excessive drinking can put your education at risk if you wind up in trouble. Fortunately, if you do find yourself facing a criminal charge, there are resources that you can use to overcome your mistake and move beyond your past to achieve your goals. 

Throughout the country, different states and communities now hold widely varying opinions about how to address drug abuse and drug-related crime. Some states are changing their laws to reflect these updated views. Virginia maintains drug laws that still criminalize most forms of possession, but our laws are not as strict and harsh as those in some other states.

Still, facing drug charges in Virginia or just about any other state can still lead to serious jail time and hefty fines. If you face drug charges and are also a student, you confront the additional threat of the effects a drug conviction may have on your education and employment opportunities.