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Phoenix College Crimes Lawyer

Phoenix College Crimes LawyerWere you or your child recently arrested for a college crime in Phoenix, AZ? It’s important to hire a qualified Phoenix college crimes lawyer quickly to stop a bad situation from becoming worse. At Orent Law Offices, PLC, our defense attorneys will fight to protect your future and put this situation in the past.

Our defense lawyers have over 33 years of experience aggressively defending the rights of college students who have been accused of crimes. If you’re facing charges, we’re here to use that winning track record to your advantage.

Whether you’ve been arrested by campus police or local law enforcement officials, don’t hesitate to take action. A conviction can change your life forever–so call us today for a free consultation where you can get the legal help you need.

How Orent Law Offices, PLC Can Help if You Were Arrested for a College Crime in Phoenix

There is no such thing as a minor crime. When a crime is described as “minor,” that’s only in relation to other more serious offenses. Any conviction can haunt you for years to come–whether the guilty verdict is imposed at the campus level or in criminal court.

A seasoned criminal defense lawyer can fight to avoid the most serious consequences of a criminal conviction.

When you hire Orent Law Offices, PLC, you can expect to be represented by a seasoned campus crime attorney who will:

  • Fight to get you released on bail as an initial matter
  • Investigate to locate any exculpatory evidence that could weaken the case against you
  • Negotiate with local authorities or school officials to get the charges dropped or reduced
  • Determine whether your constitutional rights have been violated
  • Fight to have any illegally obtained evidence excluded

With more than 30 years of experience, our Phoenix criminal defense attorneys know the ins and outs of the legal system. We’ve helped countless college students put their mistakes in the past.

If you’re ready to learn more, contact our Phoenix law office for a free consultation today. Remember, it’s never too early to start protecting your legal rights if you’ve been accused of a crime.

Overview of College Crimes in Arizona

Some college crimes might be treated as relatively minor misdemeanor offenses. They often involve alcohol or drugs–and you might be tempted to brush them off as youthful indiscretions. In fact, you might wonder whether you even need a criminal defense lawyer to fight misdemeanor charges.

Failing to take your charges seriously is a mistake. Conviction for even a “minor” misdemeanor-level crime can have significant consequences down the line. You could even limit your ability to obtain certain professional licenses–altering your career prospects before you’ve even left campus.

Some examples of college crimes that might be charged at the misdemeanor-level include:

  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI)
  • Marijuana possession
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Disorderly conduct
  • Simple assault
  • Underage drinking
  • Possession of a fake ID
  • Shoplifting
  • Trespassing
  • Traffic violations
  • Vandalism

Our attorneys take a proactive approach in every case. Some universities choose to handle criminal matters internally, whether through disciplinary hearings or other procedures. When you choose our law firm to protect your interests, you can rest assured that we’ll work tirelessly to protect your child’s best interests.

Overview of Felony-Level College Crimes in Arizona

Of course, college students can also get into much more serious criminal trouble. Depending upon the evidence against you, you could be facing state-level criminal charges.

Our attorneys at Orent Law Offices, PLC offer a full-service criminal defense practice.

That means we can also help if your son or daughter has been charged with:

  • Drug crimes
  • Drug possession
  • Sexual assault
  • Aggravated assault
  • Robbery, burglary, and other theft crimes
  • Computer crimes
  • Identity theft
  • Domestic violence (abuse within a relationship)
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which can be classified as a felony in some cases

 

You’ve worked hard to get where you are today. Our Phoenix college crimes attorneys will fight to protect those achievements. All you have to do is call our law firm today to schedule a free case review. From there, we’ll develop a plan to launch the strongest possible defense in your case.

Common Criminal Charges on College Campuses

The United States Department of Education conducts research on criminal activity on college campuses like Arizona State University. Under federal law, colleges and universities are also required to report crimes on or near campus. In 2017 alone, 28,900 criminal incidents on college and university campuses were reported to police and campus security authorities.

The most common offenses reported were burglary (38%), sex crimes (36%), and motor vehicle thefts (12%). Over 2,000 cases of aggravated assault and 1,000 robberies were reported. Around 958 of all reported offenses were classified as hate crimes.

These are serious criminal offenses that have the potential to destroy your reputation or land you in jail. If you or your child were arrested on campus, don’t be fooled into taking the charges lightly. Call an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Phoenix for help today.

What are the Penalties for College Crimes in Phoenix, Arizona?

College crimes can have far-reaching consequences. If you’re found guilty, you could face serious future problems even if the school decides to handle the matter internally. If you’re convicted of a crime in Arizona’s criminal courts, you could risk jail time and hefty financial penalties.

Whether local law enforcement gets involved in your case will generally depend on the allegations’ nature and severity. Campus authorities may be involved in your case over a relatively “minor” offense like petty theft or trespassing. In cases involving violent crimes, grand theft, and other felonies, it’s much more likely that you’ll face the off-campus criminal justice system.

Campus-Level Punishments in Phoenix

The potential penalties in your case will depend upon how the charges are handled.

As an initial matter, you could face consequences at the campus level, including:

  • Required appearances before the school’s interdisciplinary committees
  • Academic probation
  • Exclusion from campus activities, sports, and clubs
  • Suspension or expulsion
  • Community service
  • Difficulties in receiving funding to pay for tuition and costs
  • Problems when applying to graduate programs
  • Difficulties obtaining certain professional licenses
  • Restitution
  • Counseling

When it comes to school-imposed penalties, every college is different. Potential penalties may be outlined in the school’s student handbook or regulations.

Formal Misdemeanor or Felony Charges in Phoenix, AZ

In some cases, you might also face consequences outside of the college campus itself. You could be required to go before a disciplinary board prior to appearing on formal charges in criminal court. It’s important to have an experienced lawyer by your side to protect your constitutional rights every step of the way.

If convicted of a misdemeanor crime in Arizona, you could face:

  • Between 30 days and six months in jail
  • Fines ranging between $500 and $2,500
  • Probation
  • A criminal record that must be disclosed to obtain housing, student loans, or even certain jobs
  • Driver’s license suspension

A felony conviction can result in years–or even decades–in prison, plus thousands of dollars in financial fines. Sex offense convictions also carry sex offender registration requirements. Disclosing a felony can disqualify you from any number of career opportunities.

Don’t let a simple mistake haunt your future. Remember, if you decide to apply to certain graduate programs like law school or medical school, you’ll probably be required to disclose any criminal convictions or disciplinary matters on your application. Not only is this embarrassing, but it might make you a less attractive candidate in a competitive environment.

At Orent Law Offices, PLC, we understand the complexities of campus authorities becoming involved in a college student’s life. We also know that the case could be referred to formal criminal authorities even if campus police made the initial arrest. If you were charged with a crime, don’t wait to get legal help. Call today to schedule a free initial consultation.

What Defenses Can Be Raised if I’m Accused of a College Crime?

Even if you’re innocent, you need a strong criminal defense lawyer to protect your interests. Whether by campus police or local law enforcement, an arrest doesn’t always have to translate into a guilty verdict.

Our lawyers at Orent Law Offices, PLC have the dedication, talent, and resources to build an aggressive defense strategy regardless of the charges you’re facing.

Elements of a successful defense will depend on the specific facts of your case and might include:

  • Mistaken identity
  • Constitutional violations
  • Miranda violations
  • Lack of evidence
  • Illegally obtained evidence
  • Witness bias
  • Police bias
  • Challenges to witness credibility
  • False allegations
  • And more

Our attorneys don’t take college crimes lightly. We’ll put in the hard work necessary to find out what happened. That means launching an independent investigation to find evidence that can poke holes in the case against you.

Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Phoenix College Crimes Lawyer

It’s always a good idea to consult with a lawyer if you’re facing any type of criminal charges. While it may be possible to represent yourself before campus authorities in some cases, some crimes are much more serious.

If you’re facing charges or have questions, call an experienced Phoenix college crimes lawyer at Orent Law Offices, PLC for a free case evaluation today. We’ll sit down, listen to what happened and explain your legal rights and options.

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Orent Law Offices, PLC

11811 N. Tatum Blvd. STE 3031

Phoenix, Arizona 85028

(480) 656-7301

 

Orent Law Offices Phoenix Criminal Defense Law Firm

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