Many families may be surprised to learn that illegal actions, even ones that occur outside of school, can lead to unexpected consequences. One of these potential consequences is being suspended or expelled from school.
What to Expect After an Off-Campus Arrest
Initially, you can expect the same things to occur following an on-campus arrest as any other traditional arrest. You will be taken to the police station, booked, and you may be required to spend time in jail. Depending on the details of your case or charges, you may be released a few days later.
From here, you will receive a series of court dates that may include your arraignment and hearing. This is also when you’ll typically decide if you want to hire a lawyer or not. If you’re a college student, this may be just another reason to consider doing so.
Will My College Learn of the Charges?
It’s possible that your college will learn of the arrest and potential charges. They may be subject to handing out their own consequences, which may include expulsion. This is especially likely if you have a scholarship or are in a work-study program. Even if the college doesn’t find out, it may still affect your career plans. If you enroll in an internship or residency, the employer is likely to run a background check, which will typically uncover your legal charges.
For What Crimes Do Schools Take Action?
There isn’t one standard way that colleges handle off-campus crime. Each college handles this differently and the consequences will vary depending on many factors, including the crime, what you’re charged with, the details of the crime, and what school you attend.
Potential consequences may, however, include the following:
- Temporary probation
- Loss of certain privileges
- Community service
- Suspension for a period of time
- Permanent expulsion
Certain details can also worsen the likeliness of being kicked out of school. For example, if you’re arrested on campus, but after school hours, the school is likely to be involved. If your crime includes drug possession or distribution, it may also affect your enrollment. Some crimes may affect your financial aid eligibility, too.
It’s important to note that these are only the consequences that the school issues following a legal crime. The state will issue its own consequences, not related to how the school handles it. This may include things like:
- Jail time
- Legal fines
- Community service
- Required probation
Spending time in jail, or having a criminal record may have an effect on more than your career opportunities too. It may also affect where you can live, or whether or not you can file for a professional license.
How to Protect Your Future
If you were recently charged with a crime and also attend college, it’s important to consider how these charges may affect your future. Don’t risk your future for one mistake. Ignoring these charges now will not make them go away. In fact, criminal charges while attending college can not only lead to suspension but also expulsion, further affecting your future opportunities.
Contact an Experienced Willingboro Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your Criminal Charges in New Jersey
Were you arrested or charged with a crime while at college in New Jersey? The consequences of a conviction could be severe, leaving you with a permanent criminal record and possibly even sending you to jail. That is why you need to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your case. The attorneys at The Law Office of Stephen R. Piper, LLC have successfully represented clients charged with a crime while away from campus in Evesham Township, Mount Laurel, Willingboro, Pemberton, and throughout New Jersey. Call 856-333-3586 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
Disorderly conduct consists of any improper behavior such as fighting, threats of violence, or creating a dangerous atmosphere.