Defending College Students Against Criminal Charges
For anyone, a criminal charge or conviction can cause severe damage to their reputation and significantly impact their life. For college students, however, a conviction can ruin the educational and career opportunities that they have worked so hard for. Working with a criminal defense attorney with experience defending college students can help prevent serious repercussions.
Attorney Amanda T. Adams has defended students from local Iowa colleges, including Drake University, Simpson College, Iowa State University and Grand View University. She is well-positioned to assist students in both Iowa and Illinois, with office locations in Johnston and Crystal Lake. She offers over 15 years of experience, so when you work with the Law Offices of Amanda T. Adams PLLC, you can trust her to protect your interests or those of your college-aged child.
Don’t Let A Mistake Ruin Your Future
Attending college or university is supposed to open doors for the future. However, when a college student is arrested and charged with a crime, the impact can be devastating. With no parents or curfew to follow, it is unsurprising that many students unwittingly get into trouble with drugs, alcohol and other related offenses.
Attorney Adams can help you with a variety of criminal charges, including:
- Disorderly conduct
- Public intoxication
- Assault
- Vandalism
- Shoplifting
- Drunk driving (DWI)
- Drug crimes
Aside from the standard penalties of these crimes, including jail time, community service, probation and expensive fines, a conviction can greatly impact a student’s college career. A criminal record may make it more difficult to obtain financial aid or find housing. It can also prevent a student from getting a job in the future.
Marijuana Offenses And Confusion About Legality
Nearly anyone can be forgiven for not immediately knowing their state’s marijuana laws. Many states have legalized pot and/or cannabis products for both medical and recreational use. These laws seem to change all the time, even as marijuana remains illegal under federal law. Iowa has had a medical cannabis program for about a decade, but it is among the more restrictive in the nation. Moreover, recreational use or possession of marijuana is illegal.
If you are a college student (or the parent of one) coming from another state, you might have made the assumption that marijuana is legal everywhere. Because the drug is widely viewed as “harmless” and use is so widespread, you might have failed to check that your assumption was correct. Unfortunately, though it was an honest mistake, ignorance of the law is not a valid defense in court.
Work With A Skilled Defense Attorney To Mitigate The Consequences Of A Marijuana Charge
There is no legal amount of cannabis or derivative products you can possess outside of participation in the medical use program. A first-time possession offense is likely to be charged as a misdemeanor – a conviction for which can carry up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
As mentioned above, the imposed sentence is not the only thing to worry about. Having a conviction on your record can seriously and unfairly limit your current and future opportunities. That’s why, if you (or a loved one) were arrested for an offense involving marijuana or any other drug, you need to seek immediate help from an experienced and respected attorney like Amanda T. Adams. She can explain your rights, protect you during interactions with police and help you strategize the best way to resolve your charges based on your needs and goals.
Don’t Hesitate To Take Steps To Protect Yourself
If you or your child faces a criminal conviction while in college, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. The earlier you reach out for help, the better your chance of obtaining your desired outcome and presenting a successful defense. Contact the Law Offices of Amanda T. Adams PLLC, online or by calling 515-639-3168 to schedule a free consultation.