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College crime: Talk to your student to keep them out of trouble

On Behalf of | Jun 1, 2020 | Criminal Defense

There are dozens of crimes that college students may commit knowingly or unknowingly. As a parent who has a college-aged child, it may worry you that they will get in over their head and end up causing serious damage to their reputation. A charge and conviction during the early years of adulthood can have lasting consequences. 

One thing you can do is talk to your child about the common crimes that are committed in college and how to avoid getting into trouble with the law. For instance, you may want to discuss some of the most common criminal acts, such as:

  • Driving while intoxicated
  • Domestic violence/dating violence 
  • Drag racing
  • Underage drinking
  • Possessing drugs
  • Disorderly conduct

Based on the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior survey, it was shown that 22% of students surveyed had been sold, given or offered illegal drugs while on school property. There were also reports of additional crimes, such as domestic violence and dating violence, which affected around 1 in 3 surveyed students. 

As a parent, hearing that there are so many kinds of crimes that could take place on or around the campus may make you concerned, but you should know that it’s possible to minimize the damage to your child’s future even if they are charged. The courts know that young people make mistakes and that a conviction could change their lives forever. You can work closely with your attorney to look into alternative penalties and options for fighting the charges that your child faces. With the right support, you can defend against all kinds of accusations, from underage drinking to claims of domestic violence on campus.

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