Common College Crimes & What You Need to Know

Being charged with a crime, regardless of one’s age, can be a scary experience. For young persons who are charged and convicted of criminal activity, though, being charged with a crime can be particularly tragic, as a criminal charge while in college can have a huge effect on the future, including one’s ability to remain within school. If you are a student at University of Dayton or a parent of a student at UD, it’s important that you know your rights and what steps to take if facing criminal charges.

Common College Crimes

There are a number of crimes that are more likely to be committed by young people, or are more common on college campuses. These crimes include, but are not limited to:

• Underage drinking;
• Drinking and driving;
• Public intoxication;
• Drug use;
• Burglary;
• Motor vehicle theft; and
• Rape, sexual assault, and assault.

This list is not inclusive; it is of course possible for a young person to be charged with any type of crime, related to their activity on campus or not.

The Consequences of Criminal Charges While at UD

When a young person who is attending a university is charged with a crime, there may be harsh penalties that are handed down both by the state and by the university. Indeed, in addition to facing criminal penalties that can leave a student with a black mark on their permanent criminal record, and result in mandatory community service, education classes, fines, and even jail or prison time, a student may also face repercussions from the university. In fact, even if criminal charges against the student are dropped or if the student is found innocent, a school may still choose to take disciplinary action against the student, including expulsion.

There is no question that disciplinary action against a student, criminal penalties, or both can have a severe effect on a young person’s life. These penalties may prevent a student from graduating, from gaining admittance at another school, and from securing a job in the future. This can be a shocking and scary reality for both the young person and their parents.

What to Do if Facing Criminal Charges