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Athens Student Legal Services
Being charged with a crime as a Georgia college student can damage your personal and professional prospects. Depending on the offense in question, you could be kicked out of school, lose your driver’s license, face substantial fines, or even go to jail.
The fallout from a criminal offense can linger long after the initial allegation is made. It can damage your reputation and impact your ability to get a job or buy a car, among other consequences. Fortunately, you don’t have to face these accusations alone.
The trusted Athens student defense lawyers at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC can provide guidance if you’ve been accused of a crime or misconduct at the University of Georgia (UGA) or another institution. Our attorneys have over 75 years of combined experience handling a variety of claims against Georgia university students.
Put our respected lawyers to work for you. Call or contact us today for a free consultation.
Legal Services We Offer for Students in Georgia
Some of the most common types of student defense cases we handle include:
- DUI: Georgia laws prohibit driving while intoxicated. Individuals aged 21 and older can be charged with DUI if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of arrest is 0.08 or higher. There are some cases where underage drinking is allowed in Georgia, but the legal limit in those circumstances is lowered to 0.02. A DUI charge can come with fines, jail time, and the loss of your driver’s license, so it’s important to talk to a DUI defense lawyer immediately if you’re facing allegations of drunk driving.
- Minor in possession of alcohol (MIP): Minors are not allowed to buy or possess alcohol in Georgia. Using a fake ID to purchase alcohol is also illegal. The penalties for MIP increase depending on the number of convictions. A first offense can lead to a $300 fine and up to six months in jail, while additional infractions can lead to a fine of as much as $1,000 and up to a year in jail. If you are found with a fake ID, there are additional penalties.
- Sexual misconduct: At the University of Georgia, allegations of student sexual misconduct are handled by the university’s Equal Opportunity Office (EOO). Other schools use a similar system. A sexual misconduct allegation could result in suspension or expulsion from the university, along with other penalties if the case leads to a criminal conviction.
- Academic integrity violations: While academic dishonesty, such as plagiarism or cheating, isn’t a criminal offense, it is something that universities take very seriously. If you’re accused of academic dishonesty, you will likely face disciplinary action from the university. You could be suspended or expelled, which could prevent you from enrolling in other schools in the future. Never take an accusation of academic dishonesty lightly.
- Code of conduct violations: There are certain rules that college and university students are expected to abide by during their education. These rules are usually codified into a formal code of conduct given to students when they first arrive on campus. These guidelines outline how students are expected to behave around fellow students, teachers, university staff, and more. Students accused of a code of conduct violation must participate in disciplinary proceedings. University standards for investigating and proving a case are not as strict as they would be in a court of law, which means that your rights are not as well protected. Having a student defense lawyer on your side can help ensure that disciplinary procedures are followed and that you are not unfairly penalized.
- Felony offenses: Sex crimes, assault/battery, and manslaughter are examples of serious felonies that will go on your permanent record if convicted. If you’ve been charged with a felony in Athens, get an experienced criminal defense attorney now.
- Misdemeanor crimes: Misdemeanor offenses are not as serious as felonies, but any charges should be taken seriously. A good student defense lawyer will work to get the charges minimized or dismissed if you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor.
- Ordinance violations: Some college towns pass local ordinances aimed at curbing certain kinds of behavior among students. For example, many towns pass ordinances regulating loud parties, which can get students and student-run organizations into trouble if violations occur.
- Traffic violations: Many college students depend on their cars to get to class, jobs, and homes. Speeding, illegal parking, and other moving violations can lead to the temporary or permanent loss of your driver’s license, so contacting a lawyer quickly is essential.
Engaging in any sort of criminal conduct could jeopardize your future at a Georgia college or university. If you’re facing allegations of misconduct, consult an Athens student defense attorney at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC right away.
How Our Athens Student Defense Lawyers Can Help
Getting legal help is critical if you’re accused of a crime. Here’s how our lawyers can assist you:
- For university code of conduct violations, our lawyers can walk you through the different rules and procedures you’ll need to know for disciplinary hearings. At UGA, defense attorneys can’t speak on your behalf during these hearings, but they can make sure you’re fully prepared beforehand.
- For more serious offenses, we can:
- Handle all the legal paperwork and communication with law enforcement.
- Investigate your case to see if the evidence against you was properly obtained. If the evidence was obtained unlawfully, we can move to have it thrown out, which may result in your case being dismissed.
- Prepare a vigorous defense for you.
- When appropriate, negotiate a plea deal to get you the lightest sentence possible.
Our Experienced Athens Student Attorneys Are Ready to Help You
The stakes are high if you’re a student facing criminal charges in Georgia. Let R. Alan Cleveland, LLC handle your legal issue. We’ll analyze the facts, act quickly, and fight for the results that you deserve. To learn more about our legal services for students, call, text, or contact us today.