For many young adults, attending college will be their first experience of living apart from their parents, often in a different city or state. It is normal for college students to test boundaries during this first taste of independent living. But inevitably, young people make mistakes, and sometimes those mistakes lead to criminal charges.

As the parent of a college-age child, if you get a call saying they have been arrested, you may be tempted to proceed without an attorney. Tuition is already costing you a fortune each semester, and you might be hopeful that the charges will "work out" or that a conviction might not be that significant. But criminal charges can ruin a promising future, and it is nearly always a good decision to defend and work to have charges reduced or dismissed. The Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team can provide experienced representation to students facing criminal charges. Call 888.535.3686 or provide your details online.

Common Charges Faced by College Students

In New Jersey, common charges against college students include:

• DWI
• Minor in Possession of Alcohol
• False Identity (Fake ID)
• Shoplifting
• Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Criminal Mischief
• Sex Crimes

Consequences of a Criminal Conviction

A college student charged with a crime faces the same potential negative consequences as anyone else—jail time, probation, community service, and fines. Additionally, a criminal conviction can have devastating effects on the future of a college student. These effects can include loss of financial scholarships or aid, expulsion from school, loss of university housing, limits on the type of career the student may enter, and suspension from athletic teams.

Hire NJ Counsel Immediately

Any student facing criminal charges needs experienced local counsel immediately. The Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team is ideally situated to defend college students with experience in both the criminal courts and student discipline defense. Many students faced with criminal charges will be forced to answer both to the university and to the criminal justice system.

Think for a moment about what your child's college education will cost, including tuition, fees, and living expenses. Your child has put in a lot of work for years to get into college and to succeed. If the fruits of this investment were under attack, it makes sense that you would fight back with everything you have to see that your child's future is protected. That is the attitude you should bring to the legal defense of your child.

You may need to find counsel quickly, especially if you must navigate bail issues. Don't panic. Call the Lento Law Firm and explain the situation.

How the Lento Law Firm Can Help

The Lento Law Firm can advise and assist in all facets of the criminal justice process, as well as advise you on responding to the university or college, should this become necessary. The Lento Law Firm combines a premier criminal defense firm with experience representing students accused of misconduct. Invest in the representation you need to preserve your child's future. Don't face these challenges alone or leave your child without effective counsel. Call 888.535.3686 or provide your details online, and we will contact you.