Anyone arrested for an alleged violation of the state’s criminal code must take the matter seriously. Even for misdemeanor-level offenses, a conviction can result in a jail sentence and create a criminal record. If the allegations involve a felony, a conviction can come with a mandatory minimum prison sentence.

The situation can be even more severe for students at colleges and universities, as a school may impose penalties independently of the court system. This could result in a mandatory change of housing, a loss of privileges, a suspension, or even expulsion. A Bridgeport student defense lawyer fights on behalf of students to protect their rights in criminal court and defend their ability to continue their education. Reach out to the legal team at Ruane Attorneys today for assistance.

Helping Students Facing Educational Discipline

Every college and university in the state has a behavior policy meant to control students’ behavior on and off campus. These policies are independent of the state’s criminal code, but an arrest for an alleged crime almost certainly violates a school’s policy.

The mere allegation of poor behavior may trigger a school investigation into the incident. When investigating, the school does not need to follow the rules of evidence in criminal courts and may level punishments with minimal input from the student. This could severely impact a student’s ability to continue their education.

A Bridgeport defense attorney is prepared to help students facing action by disciplinary boards. Legal counsel could work to understand the school’s specific policies and help students draft written statements and prepare for interviews before board members. This could be crucial in mitigating the damage of an alleged offense and maintaining the student’s clean disciplinary record.

Providing Legal Representation for Students

An allegation of violating a school’s behavioral code could involve a supposed criminal act. Schools that uncover evidence of a criminal violation must provide this information to law enforcement. In these cases, the student will likely face proceedings in criminal court at the same time as school disciplinary measures.

A student defense lawyer at our Bridgeport office is capable of handling both cases at the same time. Many charges that may impact college students are the same as those that affect the general population. These may include:

• Assault under Connecticut General Statute § 53a-61
• Driving under the influence
• Drug possession or distribution
• Larceny
• Sex offenses

Because most college students are over the age of 18, the court will treat these defendants as adults. A conviction could result in the full weight of available penalties under the law. A nearby student defense lawyer could work for a plea deal that lessens the possible penalties. A Bridgeport attorney could also take the case to trial in pursuit of a full acquittal.

Reach Out to a Bridgeport Student Defense Attorney Today

If you face accusations of criminal behavior, you need to approach the matter from two perspectives. On the one hand, you need to answer the accusations in criminal court and present a robust defense. At the same time, you may face disciplinary action through your school that acts independently of the criminal courts.

A Bridgeport student defense lawyer at our firm could help in both situations. At Ruane Attorneys, we aim to defeat criminal charges in court by creating reasonable doubt in the minds of juries. We could also work to understand your school’s specific procedures for disciplinary hearings and help in any way possible. These two approaches could help to protect your freedom and ability to continue the pursuit of your degree. Contact us now to get started.