When defending Michigan alcohol-related student offenses, the goal of an attorney is to help find you not responsible. If a case has already been settled, a college/university may allow an attorney to retry the case. However, if a student waives their right to legal counsel and representation, it could become increasingly difficult to properly defend a student charged with such campus offenses. Speak with a Michigan student defense lawyer today.
Seeking the Help of an Attorney as Soon as PossibleA student who is accused of any kind of misconduct, whether it is alcohol or something else, should consider seeking legal counsel as soon as possible. The sooner a person can get in touch with an attorney, the more time they may have to prepare a strong defense. Having enough time to properly prepare is a key component in successfully defending Michigan alcohol-related student offenses.
The Right to Remain SilentWhen under pressure by someone in an administrative position or someone of that nature, a person may feel the need to say self-incriminating things. That is why it is important for a person to exercise their right to remain silent as well as their right to speak with an attorney. An attorney can direct you in the proper way to speak with law enforcement and/or administration without saying self-incriminating things.
The Role of a CounselorInitially, an attorney may not give a student legal advice, but with continuous conversations between a lawyer and the student, an attorney can respectfully pinpoint the needs of the student and facilitate any kind of help that is best suited for the given situation. An attorney can be seen almost as a counselor in this case.
An attorney could also provide help and relief in other areas unrelated to alcohol. Although alcohol-related offenses are common in a college environment, substance-related offenses occur at relatively the same frequency. A lawyer could provide aid in those areas by providing the student with various contacts to people and/or groups who may be able to positively impact a student's life. This is slightly different than just plainly waiting for a hearing or board review to take place. A student can get started on seeking help before potential penalties are handed out.
Compromise Between a School and a StudentAn attorney could seek a compromise with the school and the student in trouble. A lawyer understands that a student's future is at risk during these proceedings and could be severely impacted if the outcome is not positive. When defending Michigan alcohol-related student offenses, an attorney will work diligently to seek some sort of agreement between the student and the school. The agreement may consist of a student having to maintain good grades, being denied access to certain sports/clubs, etc. This outcome is far better in comparison to potential legal consequences.
Expulsion and Removal from SchoolIn some cases, students may be expelled and removed from their respective school. These outcomes will have a negative mark on a student's record and could potentially prevent them from getting a job in the future. This could be drastic on a student's future given the fact that many students take out loans to pay for school. It could then become increasingly difficult for a student to pay their loans off. This is also another reason to consult with an attorney to help you in defending Michigan alcohol-related student offenses.