Dayton Student Defense Lawyers
A conviction can destroy your student’s future. Help a loved one facing charges by consulting our experienced student defense lawyer in Ohio. We have a 95% success rate in criminal cases.
50+
Years Combined
Experience
95%
Success
Rate
400+
Google
Reviews
Protecting the Rights and Interests of University of Dayton and Miami University Students
College helps students mature. Even mistakes teach college students to make better choices. However, some situations risk ruining their lives. Students face serious consequences from criminal charges, including potential jail time and damaged career prospects.
Whether your student faces false accusations or has made an error in judgment, they deserve an aggressive criminal defense. Our lawyers representing college students from the University of Dayton and Miami University advise clients from investigation and arrest through trial. Our attorneys focus on protecting a student’s academic future and personal freedom.
Our attorneys for students’ rights both attended the University of Dayton for Law school, and one attended Miami University as an undergraduate. Our lawyers, whom UD students trust, know these universities. We have extensive experience representing students in UD cases filed in the Dayton Municipal Court in Dayton, Ohio (Montgomery County) and MU cases filed in the Butler County Area I Courts in Oxford, Ohio (Butler County). Local court experience is important for defense lawyers representing students in Dayton because familiarity with local judges and court procedures matters.
We are known in these courts and have practiced with the judges and prosecutors in these counties. Reputable student defense lawyers represent students facing disciplinary action or criminal charges while managing both criminal and university disciplinary issues.
When you’re searching “student lawyers near me”, contact us for a free consultation to learn how we will customize a defense strategy for your student’s situation. Over 20,000 cases have been handled by our firm, giving our team the deep knowledge required to protect your future.
Types of University Student Offenses We Handle
We defend college students from all criminal charges. However, young people are disproportionately accused of the following crimes:
- OVI (operated a vehicle impaired)
- Drug crimes
- Sexual assault
- Assault
- Public intoxication
- Underage alcohol possession or consumption
- Obstructing Official Business
- Vandalism, criminal mischief, and criminal damaging
- Disorderly conduct
- Theft
- Drug possession or trafficking
These crimes range from misdemeanors to serious felonies. Do not assume a court will go lightly on your student because of their age or lack of criminal record. While a court may consider these factors, a conviction could result in more than jail time and fines. Criminal defense for students includes handling underage drinking, public intoxication, and drug possession cases.
Convictions go on your student’s criminal history. With a criminal record, your loved one might be expelled from school. Even if they graduate, they might be unable to secure a job or professional license. A criminal conviction can damage student housing eligibility and hinder employment opportunities after graduation.
A DUI conviction results in a mandatory license suspension of 6 months to 3 years and cannot be sealed or expunged in Ohio. DUI convictions can lead to jail time of 3 to 180 days, with fines in Ohio ranging from $375 to $1,075. Furthermore, a DUI conviction remains on a student’s record for life, leading to additional disciplinary actions from their university.
Possible Penalties for Students Facing Criminal Charges
The potential penalties your student may face will vary depending on the offense as well as other aggravating and mitigating factors. Some offenses can result in imprisonment, even for first offenders.
For example, a student convicted of a first OVI offense faces mandatory jail time or a drug and alcohol abuse evaluation. If a drunk driver causes an accident that seriously injures someone, they may face even more severe punishments, including long prison time.
Students charged with assault, theft, or sexual assault may face felony sentences, including at least a year in prison, thousands of dollars in fines, and a felony criminal conviction. Juvenile laws and adult criminal offenses can have long-lasting consequences for education, campus enrollment, and future employment.
Our goal in these criminal cases is to fight for a fair process and ensure the court system has all the facts, including exculpatory and mitigating evidence. Legal representation can help negotiate reduced charges and minimize the fallout on your academic standing.
Worried About the Consequences of Your Student’s Criminal Charge?
Criminal charges can be intimidating for anyone, particularly young people with their entire lives ahead of them. We fight aggressively to defend your student’s rights. Contact us for a free consultation to learn more about how a criminal defense lawyer can protect your future.
Understanding the Court Process for Students Facing Legal Charges
University students 18 or older are treated as adults by the court system. Once the police have probable cause to believe your student may have committed a crime, they will be arrested and booked into jail. The court process after this point includes the following:
The judge will inform the student of the charges and ask them to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. The judge may also decide whether to release them on bail. It is important to hire a criminal defense lawyer PRIOR to these court hearings to ensure all the student’s rights are protected.
During this stage, your defense lawyer will review evidence, file motions, and speak with prosecutors. Defense lawyers should provide clear communication about legal processes and options while discussing both the strengths and weaknesses of a case.
Both the prosecutor and defense counsel prepare for trial by gathering evidence. This is when we can challenge illegal searches and request that evidence be excluded. We also negotiate with the prosecution for a plea bargain.
If prosecutors do not offer a fair plea, we take the case to trial. We execute a defense strategy that may include undercutting the prosecution’s case and presenting affirmative defenses.
What University Students Need to Know About Interactions with Police
Many people have their first interaction with the police as university students. During these interactions, students should keep some principles in mind.
The police gather information by talking to people. They are trained in interrogation techniques. Rather than speaking to the police, university students should respectfully decline and assert their right not to answer.
You have the right to request legal counsel immediately before answering any police inquiries. Having an attorney present prevents you from accidentally saying something that could hurt your case.
An arrest is not a conviction, and you remain innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Securing an experienced defense attorney early helps ensure police officers did not violate your constitutional rights.
How Can Our Student Defense Lawyers Help You?
Creating an Effective Strategy
Our team will thoroughly investigate your case to create a custom-tailored defense strategy to address your criminal charges.
Legal Guidance
We’ll work directly alongside you to provide counsel and advice to help you understand the criminal procedure and what to expect next in your case. It is essential for defense lawyers to understand the impact of criminal charges on academic standing.
Analysis of Evidence
We’ll gather records for all relevant evidence in your case so that we can analyze the best ways to frame and use that evidence to support your defense.
Negotiation and Plea Bargaining When Appropriate
If it’s in your best interests to press the state to provide an appropriate plea bargain to avoid trial, we’ll advise you on your options and will advocate fiercely on your behalf.
Advocacy Within the Courtroom
In many circumstances, cases are settled out of court. If your case proceeds to trial, we’ll provide vigorous representation, arguing effectively before a judge and jury.
Why Should I Hire a Student Rights Lawyer from Gounaris Abboud?
The attorneys for college students at Gounaris Abboud have over 50 years of combined legal experience and hundreds of positive client reviews on Google. We have the skills and knowledge to provide an aggressive defense tailored to your student’s situation. A reputable defense lawyer should have a proven history of success in cases similar to the student’s.
Some benefits of hiring us for your University of Dayton or Miami University student include:
Personalized Attention
Keeping your student informed at all times about the case.
Record of Success
With a 95% success rate in obtaining positive outcomes.
24/7 Availability
To answer questions and guide your student.
FAQ for Parents of MU and UD Students
Disciplinary hearings follow the university’s procedures and may result in disciplinary action such as suspension or expulsion. Court hearings follow Ohio rules of criminal procedure and may result in jail time, fines, and a criminal conviction. Our lawyers for college students have experience in handling both criminal court and campus disciplinary matters. Lawyers often assist with student disciplinary appeals and navigating university procedures when campus disciplinary proceedings involve significant legal implications for students.
During your initial consultation, we start by understanding your student’s side of the story. Our lawyers for university students use that information to customize a defense strategy for their unique situation. This discussion will be completely confidential so your student can speak honestly and openly about what happened.
FAQs for University Students
People convicted of certain crimes may be eligible for expungement or sealing after waiting the required period under Ohio law. The number and severity of the convictions will determine your eligibility. If a Dayton student defense lawyer secures an expungement, the state will seal your criminal history from the public.
Our hope is that our attorney for students can overcome your charges so they do not affect your school life. However, the alleged acts that led to your charges might cause your student to face discipline from the university. University code of conduct hearings involve representing students in misconduct cases that could threaten your campus housing and academic enrollment.
A criminal conviction will not necessarily prevent you from enrolling in classes. However, you may be required to disclose the conviction to your current school and face discipline. If you change schools, the new university may require you to disclose convictions in your applications. Criminal offenses can also affect students’ future professional licensing opportunities after graduation.
Every case is unique based on its circumstances. Some cases can be resolved in a few weeks if we can persuade the prosecution to dismiss the charges. Other cases may take several months or longer because they require a trial. We will have a better idea of the timeframe for resolving your case after we discuss it during your initial consultation.