Common Criminal Charges College Students Face

 Posted on October 18, 2021 in Criminal Defense

Autumn is now in full force in Tennessee and that means lots of fun and exciting events for students at the University of Tennessee. Rush week, Halloween parties, football games, Homecoming, and Thanksgiving all provide opportunities to get together with friends and enjoy downtime from the rigors of studying and exams. Unfortunately, those fun times can also provide situations where a college student finds themselves in legal trouble, facing arrest and criminal charges.  

While there are a wide variety of different charges that a person may be arrested for, there are certain criminal charges that seem to be common ones among college students. If your young adult child has been charged with any of the following crimes, it is important to contact a Knox County defense attorney for legal assistance.

Underage Drinking

Drinking and college seem to go together, but the National Minimum Drinking Age Act set the legal drinking age at 21 years of age. Despite that law, many students under 21 do partake in activities that involve drinking. Binge drinking is a serious and common problem, with about 600,000 college students suffering injuries due to heavy drinking each year.

College drinking frequently leads to criminal charges, including drunk driving or using a fake ID in order to purchase alcohol. Law enforcement has a zero-tolerance policy for any underage drinking crimes and students face harsh penalties if convicted.

Drug Crimes

Many college students also engage in some form of drug use. Marijuana is one of the most common and while many states have eased up on recreational marijuana use laws, Tennessee has not, and a person found using or possessing pot or other cannabis products can be arrested.

There are also other drugs that find their way on college campuses, including cocaine and prescription medications that can result in a student’s arrest.

Hazing, Harassment, and Bullying

Rushing for a fraternity or sorority sometimes involves hazing; however, state law requires colleges to implement policies that prohibit hazing. Under the law, any act that involves one or more students that either puts the mental or physical health of another student in danger or coerces that student to endanger themselves is considered hazing.

Contact a Knoxville, TN Defense Lawyer

If your college student has been charged with a crime, it is crucial to have a skilled and experienced Knox County criminal defense attorney advocating for your child against these charges. In addition to criminal penalties, the charges can put your child at risk of being barred from playing campus sports or participating in other campus activities and can also result in suspension or expulsion from the university. Call Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney at 865-281-1000 to schedule a free consultation and find out how our firm can help.

Sources:

https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/resources/college-alcohol-abuse/

https://www.alcohol.org/laws/underage-drinking