College is important for students in Texas because it provides them with the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their future careers. College also provides students with the chance to network and connect with other students, alumni, and professionals, which can help open doors for potential career opportunities.
Additionally, college allows students to explore different areas of interest, gain life experience, and become more independent. Finally, the college provides students with the opportunity to receive higher education and potentially higher wages in the future.
However, college is also the first taste of independence for many students, and experimenting with things like drugs and alcohol is fairly common.
Unfortunately, drunk driving charges or a drug conviction can ruin a student’s life, and may lead to expulsion from college. This means it is extremely important to fight any drug crime charges fiercely.
At Love DuCote Law Firm, LLC, we understand how frightening drug charges can be, and our team is here to provide you with the reliable and effective legal defense you need. We will work tirelessly to protect your rights and freedom and help you secure a favorable outcome. With our extensive experience and knowledge of drug laws, we can build a strong defense and fight for the best possible resolution of your case.
Call us now at 832-843-1691 to schedule a consultation and get started on your defense.
Can I Be Expelled From College for a Drug Crime Conviction?
Yes, you can be expelled from college for a drug crime conviction in Texas. According to the Texas Education Code, any student who is convicted of a felony related to the possession, sale, or distribution of an illegal controlled substance may be expelled from college.
These drug-related offenses are taken very seriously, and universities and colleges have the right to enforce their own rules and regulations regarding student conduct. In addition to expulsion, students may also be subject to other disciplinary actions such as suspension, probation, and/or loss of financial aid.
Furthermore, a drug crime conviction may also have an impact on the student’s eligibility for federal student aid. If a student is expelled from college due to a drug-related crime, they may also be subject to additional penalties imposed by the state.
In Texas, individuals convicted of drug-related offenses may face incarceration and/or fines, as well as a criminal record. It is important to remember that drug-related offenses are taken seriously by universities and colleges and can lead to serious consequences, including expulsion from the college. Therefore, any student facing drug-related charges should seek legal advice from a qualified attorney to ensure that their rights are protected.
Hire a Skilled Drug Defense Attorney
The very first step you need to take if you are facing drug crime charges as a student is to seek legal representation from an attorney that has experience in similar cases. An attorney with experience in helping a college student to avoid criminal charges for things like drug possession may be able to fight for a favorable outcome that prevents you from expulsion.
When it comes to a student facing a drug offense, many prosecutors are willing to be lenient as most college students have no prior convictions and do not want the college to expel students. At Love Ducote, we have worked with many of the prosecutors and Judges across the state, building working relationships that make a favorable outcome more likely.
We have helped students in a number of local universities, working with school officials at:
- Austin Community College
- Concordia University
- Huston-Tillotson University
- Saint Mary’s University
- Southwestern University
- St. Edward’s University
- Texas State University
- Trinity University
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Texas at San Antonio
- And more.
Next Steps
The ideal outcome is to avoid a criminal conviction. Avoiding a conviction, you retain the ability to have the arrest expunged from your criminal history in the future. This is important for a number of reasons. Firstly, avoiding a conviction will allow you to avoid being expelled from college.
Secondly, even if you manage to avoid expulsion from college, a drug arrest on your criminal history could affect you for the rest of your life. Once it becomes time to leave college and seek a job, some employers may not even consider you if you have a criminal history.
If you do receive a conviction, you will not be able to apply for expungement, but there are several other options you could explore, such as a deferred adjudication.
Usually, the best way to avoid a conviction is through a trial, but your attorney may instead try to work out a deal with the prosecution that allows you to avoid conviction, or at least make the charges less serious. These deals usually require you to engage in drug and alcohol classes, pay fines, and complete community service.
Some of our clients consider accepting a conviction simply to avoid the hassle of having to do community service or pay the fines, but this is not usually a smart move. A criminal conviction will affect you for the rest of your life, and in the future, when your criminal records hinder you in an important life decision, you will come to regret your decision.
Types of Drug Charges
When you are facing potential drug crime charges in Texas, it is important to understand what charges you are facing. Some of the crimes that students often face are possession and the delivery of prescription drugs.
More importantly, some drug crimes in Texas are classed as federal crimes, and these carry much more severe penalties. These kinds of crimes need exceptionally skilled attorneys, as the penalties can include long periods of time in jail and extremely large fines.
Listed below are drug crimes that you could be facing:
- Drug possession — A charge of drug possession will depend on the nature of the controlled substance and the amount that was found in your possession.
- Drug distribution — A charge of drug distribution refers to selling, distributing or having the intention to sell or distribute drugs.
- Drug manufacturing — A charge of drug manufacturing refers to producing drugs, like cocaine or crystal meth, or the materials to manufacture drugs were found in your possession.
- Drug trafficking — A charge of drug trafficking refers to having the intent to sell, possess, deliver, purchase, manufacture or transport a large amount of drugs or controlled substances.
- Prescription fraud — A charge of prescription fraud refers to using a forged or fake prescription to obtain opioids, tranquilizers or certain prescription drugs.
Another important factor in the severity of your drug crimes, is the quantity of the drug and the schedule of the drug involved in the case. A larger quantity of a lower-schedule drug may still be upgraded to a third-degree felony, for example.
Potential Defenses For College Students
When facing the severe penalties that a criminal charge for illegal drugs can carry, there are a number of defense strategies that your attorney may decide to use. The defense they use will depend upon the circumstances of your arrest, and the severity of the charges.
Some of the potential defenses are:
- Lack of knowledge: The defendant was not aware that the substance was an illegal substance and therefore had no criminal intent.
- Entrapment: The defendant was forced or coerced into committing the crime by law enforcement officers.
- Necessity: The defendant was faced with an emergency situation and had no other option but to commit the crime in order to protect himself/herself or others.
- Mistake of fact: The defendant made an honest mistake when they believed the substance was legal.
- Medical necessity: The defendant was using the substance as a medical treatment prescribed by a doctor.
- Duress: The defendant was threatened or coerced into committing the crime by another person.
- Insanity: The defendant was not in their right mind and did not understand the consequences of their actions.
Contact The Love Ducote Law Firm, PLLC
Here at The Love Ducote Law Firm, PLLC, our team of attorneys are experienced in all forms of criminal defense. From students on minor drug possession charges to cases of federal trafficking, we have won favorable outcomes for numerous clients, helping them to protect their futures.
With the countless victories and experience we have under our belts, we are uniquely positioned to tailor a bespoke strategy and defense for your specific case.
