If you are a student at the University of Pennsylvania and you were arrested for a crime, you are likely wondering how this may affect your academic career. A conviction for a serious crime can result in the revocation of scholarships, eligibility for financial aid being affected, or other disciplinary actions. If you are a student at the University of Pennsylvania and you were arrested for a crime, you should consult with an experienced Philadelphia criminal defense attorney today.
The Law Office of Lonny Fish is dedicated to providing you with the legal representation you deserve to fight your criminal case. Criminal lawyer Lonny Fish has over a decade of criminal law experience and has handled over 7,000 cases, and he is prepared to work with you. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your case, call The Law Office of Lonny Fish at (215) 826-3314, or contact us online.
Common College Campus Crimes Our Firm Handles
College is a new world where students will try to experience new things. However, for some students, this can sometimes result in a situation where a person gets into trouble with law enforcement. Our firm understands that a person can make mistakes and we are here to represent you in your criminal case. The following is a list of crimes that our firm can handle for you.
Underage Drinking
Underage drinking occurs when a person consumes alcohol while they are under the legal drinking age of 21. It is also possible to violate the underage drinking law if a person is caught purchasing alcohol or possessing alcohol while under the age of 21.
The penalties for underage drinking can vary depending on the circumstances. For example, as underage drinking is a summary offense, you may be eligible for a diversionary program if you are a first-time offender. A majority of the time a defendant may be able to make a deal with the prosecutor to pay a fine. However, if you believe you have a valid defense that can prevent a conviction for underage drinking, you should pursue that option.
You can also face disciplinary measures from officials at the University of Pennsylvania. While many universities will have a code of conduct that will dictate the actions to be taken in the event of a violation, our firm can represent you in these proceedings to pursue a desirable outcome. As mentioned, college disciplinary proceedings can affect your academic life in several ways, like making you ineligible for financial aid.
Drug Possession
Drug possession can be a serious offense depending on the type of drugs you are arrested with. For example, you can face lesser penalties for possessing a small amount of marijuana than you would for possessing a small amount of heroin.
Offenses for drug possession are broken into several different grades. If you are convicted of a third degree misdemeanor for drug possession, you can serve up to one year in jail and owe up to $2,000 in criminal fines. These penalties can increase depending on a number of circumstances. For example, if you have a prior drug conviction on your record, this may result in more serious penalties on a subsequent conviction.
Sexual Offenses
Sexual offenses are another type of crime that our firm can help you defend against. Unlawful dissemination of an intimate image is one sex crime that is more common in a college environment, and that can be devastating to a defendant’s life and the victim’s life. This crime involves a defendant circulating a sexually explicit image to their friends or others at the school.
If the defendant distributed a sexually explicit image of another student or person that was under the age of 18, this is a first degree misdemeanor. In Pennsylvania, first degree misdemeanors carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. If the victim is not a minor, the defendant can be convicted of a second degree misdemeanor. This offense carries a penalty of up to two years in prison and $2,000 in fines.
If a student is accused of an even more serious sexual offense like rape, it is possible to serve up to 20 years in prison. Most colleges have zero tolerance for sexual offenses and will likely institute proceedings to expel a student if they learn about the commission of a sexual offense. The Law Office of Lonny Fish can help you explore your options if you are charged with a sexual crime.
This is not an exhaustive list of crimes that our firm handles for students. We are available to handle various other crimes like theft, assault, or crimes stemming from hazing.
Our Philadelphia Criminal Defense Lawyer for UPenn Students is Ready to Work with You
If you are a UPenn student that was arrested for resisting arrest or another crime, you should contact an experienced Philadelphia criminal defense lawyer for UPenn students. The Law Office of Lonny Fish avoids litigating a large volume of cases so that we can provide every client with the unique legal representation necessary to fight their case. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your case, call The Liberty Law Team at (215) 826-3314.