Student Defense in Homewood

College students and graduates face many challenges, including a difficult job market, as they compete for jobs against other recent graduates and experienced professionals. Students also face serious college debt in this day and age. To make matters worse, students show up in the media for the worst reasons. Hazing, date rape, and disorderly conduct stories all make their way to the headlines of newspapers and tabloids, without any regard for the reputation of the student they are featuring.

If you find yourself in hot water as a result of a criminal accusation, contact a Homewood student defense lawyer to learn about your legal rights and begin protecting yourself today. A dedicated defense attorney can be your best asset when you find yourself facing charges.

In today’s society, the crimes listed above are not the only common offenses that students are facing. Homewood student defense attorneys regularly see students also face cases of:

• Trespassing
• Cheating/academic dishonesty
• Drug trafficking
• Drug possession
• Drug sale
• Domestic violence
• Abuse
• Sexual misconduct
• Lewd conduct

Even though the law requires that each criminal defendant remain innocent until proven guilty, the societal shame about facing a criminal conviction can sometimes be just as bad as the conviction itself.

And, with widespread internet use comes the proliferation of web-based crimes and more opportunities for students to get in trouble. Students have been accused of:

• Cyber-bullying
• Fraud
• Identity theft
• Hacking
• Domestic terrorism
• Phishing
• Improper use of crypto-currency (such as Bitcoin)

Each crime has a different set of requirements that must be proven in a court of law prior to any conviction. If the prosecutor can establish each element of the crime, the student may face a harrowing sentence. A Homewood student defense lawyer can discuss strategies with the accused defendant to determine what the best methods are for achieving the client’s goal.

Many criminal cases never make it to trial, as plea bargaining can be an effective tactic to obtain a plea deal. Plea deals are agreements between the defendant (the accused individual) and the prosecutor (the government attorney) in which the defendant pleads guilty or no contest in exchange for a reduced sentence, the dismissal of one or more charges, or a recommendation of a specific sentence.

According to a 2005 report from the United States Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, over 75,000 cases were disposed of in federal district court by trial or plea, with 95 percent resulting in a guilty plea. This is an important consideration because defendants tend to receive harsher sentences if they lose at trial, including more jail time.

Depending upon the facts of the case, a loss at trial does not necessarily mean that the case is over. A Homewood student deefense attorney may be able to review the case and determine its merit for a possible appeal. This is another strategy that can be discussed between a criminal defendant and their attorney.

If you are a student who is facing criminal charges, contact a Homewood student defense attorney for information as soon as possible. A criminal conviction could result in jail time and the stigma of admitting to a conviction for the rest of your life. This could not only affect your reputation and school career, but it could affect how your family and friends view you. In addition, a conviction could make it more difficult to seek out and maintain gainful employment.

Speak with an attorney to start investigating your case, researching your options, and planning for your future now.