Criminal Defense For College Students

Going off to college is a wonderful experience. It’s a chance for young adults to gain independence and learn more about the world than they could ever imagine. It’s a time to grow and establish yourself as an individual. College is full of new experiences and new friends. But unfortunately for some, those new experiences can create a substantial headache. For many, college is the first time they’ve had an encounter with law enforcement and the legal system. 

While college is an incredible opportunity for personal and professional growth, college also has a darker side. Partying, binge drinking, and drugs often present students with difficult decisions that they don’t always get right. Underage drinking may result in a charge for minor in possession (“MIP”); inexperience with alcohol tolerances and warnings may result in a charge for driving under the influence (“DUI”) or driving while impaired (“DWI”); experimenting with marijuana may result in a charge for marijuana possession; and, experimentation with prescription drugs such as Adderall, Vyvanse, Oxycontin, and Xanax may result in a charge for illegal drug possession. All of these charges can have a substantial and lasting impact on your life if not properly defended and handled by a consummate criminal defense attorney.

 With decades of collective experience, the Blischak Law Firm has successfully defended hundreds of clients from prosecution. The attorneys at the Blischak Law Firm carry a unique range of backgrounds and experiences that allow them to protect their clients. Our attorneys have previously worked for the FBI and for the prosecution before forming the Blischak Law Firm. As a result of our prior experience, we offer an unparalleled degree of representation to college students in all matters of criminal defense including drug possession, DUIs, assault, and accusations of sexual assault. If you have been charged with a criminal offense in Phoenix, Tempe, or the surrounding area, please contact our offices as soon as possible for a free consultation. The sooner we hear from you, the sooner we can work to protect your future

Universities and colleges do not take charges of criminal conduct lightly. Many have policies requiring formal reporting by the student as soon as the student is aware of the charges. Universities and colleges will generally implement disciplinary action upon becoming aware of pending criminal charges and may take additional action upon a conviction. The actions taken by the university or college are normally tied to the seriousness of the offense. For an infraction such as being charged with a minor in possession or another misdemeanor, the university or college may place you on probation. Additional criminal charges could then violate the probation and cause you to be expelled. For more serious crimes such as assault or a felony-level crime, the university or college may suspend or expel you depending on the circumstances.

Even if your current university or college does not pursue disciplinary action for a criminal conviction, you may face significant hurdles if you wish to pursue graduate school. Certain crimes may preclude your admission to graduate school, or significantly hamper the competitiveness of your application

Being charged with a crime is likely to have a substantial impact on your personal life. Despite the legal system’s premise of “innocent until proven guilty,” you may face social stigma from those who do not understand how the legal system works. Friends and family may misunderstand that being charged with a crime doesn’t mean you’re guilty. We know how hard this can be, and dedicate our practice to helping you navigate both the legal system and issues that may arise in personal relationships. 

If you’ve been convicted of a crime, you may face severe consequences in your planned career. Depending on the crime, you could face ineligibility for certain jobs including the military, teaching, and public service. Additionally, certain licenses may become exceptionally difficult to obtain, such as any license relating to securities or practicing law. 

In addition to the above impacts, you face several other concerns when you’re charged with a crime. If you’re convicted, you may face jail time, community service, driver’s license suspension, and other penalties. If convicted of a felony, you may lose the right to vote and the right to operate, own, or possess a firearm. Due to the extensive consequences potentially resulting from being charged with a criminal offense, you need to retain a defense attorney who can help you every step of the way – through the legal system, and through your personal and professional life. 

At Blischak Law Firm, we understand the stress you are facing. We know how hard it can be to explain what is going on to friends and family. We know how often friends and family jump to conclusions. Because we know how difficult life becomes once you’ve been charged with a criminal offense, we are here to help. We are here to protect your personal life and professional future. If you have been charged with a criminal offense, please contact our offices today for a free consultation.