College Students Beware: You Future Could Be on the Line if You Are Charged with a Crime, Let Alone Convicted of One
Tennessee has a lot of colleges, trade schools and universities. That means we have a lot of college “kids” running around the state at any given time of the year. Now, we say “kids” because most of these students are at least 18 years of age, which makes them adults in the eyes of the law – and that could mean you face harsher penalties, or more life-changing consequences, than you would face if you were still a legal minor. There are also concerns as schools around the country begin to change their bylaws in regards to bullying, hazing and sexual assault.
Accusations of sexual assault on campus
In April of 2016, The Tennessean ran an article claiming “The University of Tennessee is facing a sweeping federal lawsuit into how it handles sexual assaults on campus. The lawsuit contends the university has created a student culture that enables sexual assaults by student-athletes, especially football players, and then uses an unusual, legalistic adjudication process that is biased against victims who step forward.” The article includes a timeline of different allegations and accusations against various student athletes.
This lawsuit comes at a time when more and more students around the country are demanding safe spaces and accountability on behalf of colleges in cases of assault. There is even a movement to have the records of students convicted of assault marked in some permanent way, which would almost guarantee that said student would have difficulties gaining acceptance elsewhere.
We would say that sexual assault is ever acceptable – rape is a crime no matter where it takes place. However, it is worth noting that in some cases, including the one cited in the Tennessean article, the victims do not go to the police, or press for criminal charges. These are decisions made by the school, and your life could be affected even if you are not charged with a crime.
If you have been accused of sexual assault by your school, even if the police have been involved and no formal charges have been made, seek the assistance of a skilled attorney immediately. Should one of Tennessee’s colleges (or any college in the country) decide to go ahead and start marking school transcripts permanently, you might find yourself, if charged with assault:
- Unable to finish your education
- Unable to transfer to another school
- Unable to find a job
- Denied your right to due process under the law
Even students charged with “minor” crimes by a school – underage drinking, possession of marijuana, defacing school property, etc. – may find themselves facing long-term consequences without ever having been charged by a law enforcement officer. You have rights that are guaranteed to you under the state and federal Constitution, and we can make sure that those rights are upheld if you are facing accusations of criminal behavior.
You do not have to face allegations of law breaking, assault or negligence behavior on your own. The Law Offices of Adrian H. Altshuler & Associates can help. Our criminal defense attorneys in Franklin, Columbia and Brentwood uphold the rights of Tennessee students. To find out more about our services, or to schedule your consultation, please call 615-977-9370 or fill out our contact form.