Student Conduct Attorney in Santa Cruz, California

College is a time of hope and preparation for future opportunities. Unfortunately, many young adults make foolish choices—or find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. When this happens, the excitement and joy of the college experience quickly turn to tension and anxiety. 

Universities and colleges have a wide range of punishments at their disposal when determining if a student has violated their code of conduct. These penalties can be severe and forever change your life and your future. If you have received a notice that a disciplinary charge has been brought against you by your university or college, you have due process rights before the university can discipline you. Don’t assume the problem will just go away on its own or attempt to deal with the issue alone. 

At the Law Offices of Andrew C. Janecki, my job is to protect your rights and pursue the best possible outcome to preserve your future. You need representation from a lawyer who understands student criminal defense and can provide you with the knowledgeable guidance you need. Having served in this area for more than two decades, I understand how local prosecutors and judges handle student conduct cases. If you live in Santa Cruz, Palo Alto, San Jose, San Francisco, Berkeley, or anywhere else in California, set up a consultation with me.

Common Student Violations

Students make all sorts of silly mistakes. Depending on the circumstances of the mistake, a student may face either school disciplinary measures or criminal charges. In either scenario, I can help ensure the student’s rights are protected. Common student offenses that could lead to disciplinary action or criminal charges include:

• Fighting on campus

• Sexual assault or harassment allegations

• Underage drinking

• Drug use or possession 

• Hazing

• Theft

• Plagiarism or cheating

In addition, some schools may take disciplinary action for inappropriate conduct that occurs off-campus. For example, underage students caught drinking alcohol off-campus could potentially still face consequences through the school disciplinary committee even though the alleged offense did not occur on school grounds. These seemingly gray areas can become legally complex. I can assist students in dealing with disciplinary action taken for offenses that allegedly occurred on or off campus.

Penalties For Student Violations

Never assume that a student conduct violation will end up being a minor scolding with minimal impact. Depending on the nature of the infraction, you may face campus disciplinary hearings or end up facing criminal prosecution. Some general penalties for student conduct violations might include:

• A permanent note on your academic transcript

• Loss of tuition or scholarship

• Removal from school sports teams or clubs

• Removal from campus housing

• Probation

• Expulsion

• Fines or restitution requirements 

• Mandatory counseling or substance abuse testing

• Criminal charges

Remember, even if police or prosecutors decide against pressing charges, school authorities may still initiate a disciplinary proceeding against a student. As an experienced student defense lawyer, I can review the evidence and build a strong defense against the charge. 

Defense, Advice & Advocacy

In a student defense matter, I fulfill two essential functions. First, I may serve as an advisor, explaining the ramifications of your situation and evaluating the options for proceeding. I can also suggest actions to take to improve the outlook of the case, and how to avoid pitfalls that could cause further difficulties.

Secondly, I may serve as an advocate, speaking on behalf of the student in different situations including negotiations, questioning, and formal proceedings. Having an experienced Santa Cruz student conduct attorney can relieve a lot of anxiety in a student defense situation.