The college-era mistakes that most people discuss involve unhealthy relationships or staying up too late and then sleeping through class. Many young adults learn important life lessons during college outside of the classroom. For a small subset of college students, the most powerful lesson may come from the backseat of a police cruiser or the inside of a courtroom.
College students can end up arrested for crimes committed on campus or off campus during their enrollment. Those charges can lead to a lifetime criminal record if the student pleads guilty. A conviction could affect their ability to continue their education and their eligibility for student aid. Young adults who understand what mistakes might endanger their future can make better choices about how they behave themselves.
What types of charges are most common for college students?
Alcohol-related offenses
There are many ways for college students to violate alcohol statutes in Alabama. Some young adults get arrested for possessing alcohol as minors. Others make the mistake of providing alcohol to underage friends at a party. Sometimes, college students even decide to drive home from a party when they have had too much to drink. Those choices can lead to major consequences even if the college student doesn’t cause any direct harm to other people.
Drug offenses
Alcohol is not the only mind-altering substance that young adults experiment with during college. Many young adults also try more powerful drugs at parties. Other times, they might use study drugs while working on a major project or cramming for an exam. Students can get arrested for possessing a drug or sharing drugs with others. They can also get arrested for driving while under the influence of drugs.
Physically injuring others
Assaults and similar physical offenses are somewhat common during the college years. Students might forget that they are adults now and that the criminal justice system may not turn a blind eye to any altercations that occur. A variety of different scenarios might lead to a student’s arrest and prosecution for assault or similar offenses that involve causing physical harm to other people. Any of those charges might potentially have a chilling effect on a student’s college education and their future prospects.
Fighting criminal charges can also serve as an important lesson for a young adult enrolled in college. Those who have the right assistance when facing criminal charges are much less likely to end up convicted or unnecessarily pleading guilty.