Back to school

Well, summer is flying by at record pace and students are preparing to head back to school. Whether your child is starting middle school, or college, here are some of the most common legal issues faced by students, and how to ensure your student is protected.

1. Alcohol/Drugs: It has been said that alcohol and drug related issues are the most common legal issues faced by students. From Minor in Possession to DUI, certainly these issues have serious collateral consequences, including loss of driving privileges, potential employment challenges, and significant financial hardship. So what do you do if your student finds themselves facing one of these issues? First, protect your legal rights and get an attorney. It is my recommendation to always have an attorney on a DUI or Alcohol Related offense. If you can't afford an attorney, your student is eligible for a public defender, and should request the Court appoint one to them. Second, remind your student to not speak to anyone about the case. Anything they say can and will be used against them, and they should not discuss the case with anyone but the attorney or a parent. 
2. Criminal Activity on Campus: Criminal activity on campus generally leads to suspension or expulsion from school. This can cause serious issues for many reasons. If you have a middle school/high school student, they may not have another school option within 100 miles of your home. If you have a college student, the loss of tuition and credits is a huge financial hit, and other schools may frown on admission based on past conduct. Remind your student that any criminal activity, especially on campus, could lead to suspension or expulsion, making it difficult or impossible to continue their education. If your student does find themselves facing suspension or expulsion as a result of criminal conduct, make sure you have an attorney or trusted representative to assist you in meetings with the school. You will want to advocate for rehabilitative options in lieu of expulsion and suspension. 
3. Sex: One of the most common ways for a student to find themselves facing school suspension or expulsion is to be accused of a sex offense of any variety, especially with another student. Schools generally err on the side of caution to ensure victim safety, and it is very common for an accused student to be suspended during the investigation period at the very least. Remind your students about sex, consent, and age limits prior to them heading back to school. See this blog for more information on the laws surrounding sex offenses. 
4. Social Media: Social Media continues to be the most exciting way for students to communicate with each other, whether it be via Snapchat, Instagram, or BeReal. The most common rule of thumb for social media and students is the old saying "Don't post/text/snap anything you wouldn't show your grandmother." That is a good way to keep yourself in check. Remind students of the serious consequences of posting nudes, sharing nudes, harassing texts/messages, etc. Social Media troubles can lead to criminal charges, suspension from school, or expulsion from school. This blog provides more information on social media legal troubles. 
5. Landlord/Tenant: If you have a college student, there is a good chance they have a landlord. Most landlords are great with college students, but once in a while you will find one who is taking advantage of your student. Make sure all of the lease agreements, and other agreements, are in writing (text and email are fine). Make sure that your student fully understands and reads all the fine print of the lease before signing, and if they have a roommate, make sure the roommate does the same. Generally landlord/tenant issues come up when a student has not fully read the lease or doesn't understand all of the terms. If the student has questions about the lease, ask those questions before signing, and before moving in. 

We hope this is a helpful reminder and provides good insight for legal issues faced by students. For more information on what to do if your student gets in trouble, this blog may be helpful. 
Hope your students all have a great year!

- Jill