College Student Attorneys in Bryan, TX

Providing Quality Criminal Defense Services to Protect a Student’s Future

Sometimes, college students make the wrong choices. At other times, they get caught up in a legal situation because they are in the wrong place at the wrong time. In either case, involvement in the legal system can devastate their futures. There is never a more important time to hire the right College Station student defense lawyer.

Some consequences of a criminal conviction include being placed on probation, ineligibility to receive financial aid, inability to obtain a professional license, or inability to secure adequate housing.

Regardless of a college student’s charges, hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney who can advocate for their rights is always best.

As a college student, you may encounter legal charges such as:

Possession of a controlled substance
Possession of marijuana
Possession of dangerous drugs
DWI
Sexual assault
A&M Disciplinary Hearings
Other serious crimes

The Bryan / College Station area has approximately 55,000 college students attending either Blinn College or Texas A&M University. Each year, hundreds of students are arrested and charged with crimes ranging from possession of marijuana to intoxication manslaughter. Being arrested and convicted of even a minor misdemeanor offense can have devastating consequences for a young person’s future. Even deferred adjudication, in which a person is placed on probation but not convicted remains on a person’s record, and can be found in simple searches by prospective employers.

At Shane Phelps Law, we have decades of experience and know how to defend your rights. Our dedicated team of legal professionals knows what it takes to win cases and will prepare a strong defense to secure a favorable outcome.

If you or a family member has been charged with a criminal offense, the situation will not be resolved without legal representation. Contact Shane Phelps Law immediately to request a confidential case review so that we may analyze your case professionally and determine what legal strategies suit your needs.

Why Does a College Student Need an Attorney if They Have to Go In Front of a Disciplinary Hearing?

Often, college students make poor choices that cause them to have to appear in front of school disciplinary hearings. Students may be called to appear if they have been accused of violating the school’s code of conduct or committing a criminal offense.

Many college students make the fatal mistake of trying to represent themselves in front of disciplinary boards only to be unprepared for the various procedures involved. Therefore, anyone called to appear before a disciplinary board should always hire a knowledgeable attorney to advise them of their rights.

Some of the services that an attorney can provide during disciplinary hearings include:

Advise students of their rights: Having an attorney present during a disciplinary hearing can ensure that your rights are protected
Help prepare for the hearing: An attorney can assist students by answering questions regarding the hearing, helping with reviewing their testimony, and gathering evidence
Negotiations: An attorney negotiates with school administrators to help students potentially receive a lesser penalty if they are found guilty of the allegations
Protect a student’s future: One of the most significant advantages of hiring an attorney to assist you with a disciplinary board is they can help minimize the impact of the penalties and protect your ability to remain in school

Suppose you or a family member has been scheduled to appear before a disciplinary board. In that case, you should only try to handle the situation with the help of a well-qualified attorney who will fight to protect your interests.

Please contact our Bryan office today to schedule a free consultation with an attorney who will gladly review your case.

Why are Legal Implications of Title IX Violations?

Under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, any programs or activities that receive federal funding are prohibited from discriminatory acts based on gender. Several legal implications can adversely affect a college student’s education and ability to continue their educational pursuits.

One of the most notable legal implications and penalties associated with Title IX violations can result in a suspension. An academic suspension can negatively affect the chances of being accepted into other learning institutions to further a student’s education. An academic transcript will also reflect a suspension, making pursuing higher educational goals such as graduate school even more challenging.

Anyone considering transferring to another college must sign a Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) form. A FERPA form authorizes the college to release the records to another school. However, the release also includes disciplinary records, which could hurt a student’s chances of acceptance into a new school.

Some other implications that can arise from Title IX violations include:

Degree revocation: Depending on the school and the facts involved in the case, the university may choose to revoke a degree for a Title IX violation.
Loss of financial aid or athletic scholarship: In conjunction with Title IX guidelines and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), students who have received disciplinary actions may be rendered ineligible to compete in college sports. Ineligibility to compete in intercollegiate sports can result in the school canceling or reducing financial aid or a scholarship.
Expulsion: The worst-case scenario for college students involves being expelled due to Title IX violations. Anyone who is expelled from a higher learning institution must disclose the disciplinary action to their new prospective university. If the new school finds out a student has been expelled and failed to disclose the expulsion, they can choose to revoke their acceptance offer.

How Can Your Law Firm Help My College Student Facing Criminal Charges?

If you are the parent of a child who is enrolled in college and has been charged with a criminal offense, you must immediately hire a defense attorney. Any conviction for a criminal offense can devastate their freedom and ability to obtain a higher education.

Our criminal defense attorneys’ primary objective in representing college students who have been charged with an offense is to try to have the charges dismissed and avoid a conviction. Avoiding a criminal conviction means the student may eventually be eligible for an expungement. Some of the most common criminal offenses that may be expunged include possession of assault, marijuana, and other illegal substances or DWI.

If the case is deemed eligible for expungement, the student’s record will not reflect any criminal arrest history. Additionally, when the record is expunged, your child will not have to worry about a background check reflecting any negative involvement with law enforcement. Expungement clears individuals to apply for jobs that they may have otherwise been excluded from due to a criminal record.

However, if a criminal offense results in a college student’s conviction, the case is no longer eligible for expungement. One option is for our defense attorneys to ask the court for deferred adjudication. If the defendant completes all of the terms outlined by the court and the case meets the necessary qualifications, they may file a petition for a non-disclosure order to hide their arrest record from public view. However, law enforcement and various licensing agencies can still view a student’s criminal convictions.

Shane Phelps Law has comprehensive experience with the Texas criminal justice system and knows what it takes to achieve favorable results. If your child is a college student charged with a crime, contact our law office immediately to learn more about our legal services and how we can help.

Why Should I Trust Shane Phelps Law With My Legal Needs?

Our law office recognizes that often, individuals make mistakes that can negatively impact them for the rest of their lives. However, Shane Phelps Law believes that young adults should be given a second chance and have the opportunity to achieve their life goals.

When college students come to our law firm seeking legal representation, we strive to protect their rights. Our first step is to gather evidence through an independent investigation to ensure we can create a solid defense strategy. Some services we provide to college students include minimizing the impact of an arrest or conviction, providing legal advice during disciplinary hearings, and negotiating plea deals with the prosecution.

We take pride in helping our clients and their families through what can be an emotionally challenging time in their lives as they deal with the Texas criminal justice system.

Contact our Bryan office at 979-596-6843 and ask to speak with a highly qualified criminal defense attorney who can explain the benefits of having legal representation and what services we can provide for your needs.