It’s jarring, of course.
And uniformly so, whether it’s a sudden evening phone call, a knock on the door or the flashing lights of a police car. The sudden immersion of a law enforcement matter into the lives of residents in Houston or elsewhere across Southeast Texas is an unnerving experience.
Especially for parents, who are acutely attuned to the lives and well-being of their children. If you are a mom or dad, the welfare of your precious offspring is central in your mind throughout each day, isn’t it?
And that remains consistently true for most parents regardless of the age and relative maturity of their sons and daughters. It doesn’t matter whether our children are toddlers or college students. They are foremost in our thoughts, which are always hopefully centered on optimal outcomes concerning their every involvement.
The discussion that follows spotlights the latter demographic cited above, namely, children now grown into still-evolving young persons who are involved in post-high school educational pursuits.
Many parents closely recollect that same time in life when it was the center of their universe. Studying away from home was an enthralling new experience. It led to new ways of thinking, expanded friendship networks and a steadily growing maturation.
For legions of young people, it also commonly leads to this: a willingness to take risks and experiment in arguably ill-advised ways that can lead to legal troubles. Even generally serious college students sometimes succumb to peer pressure and/or a decision-making process that is still not fully informed. Their behaviors can sometimes yield consequences marked by stark downsides.
Common criminal charges faced by college students
Campus police and local law enforcers routinely respond to matters involving alleged wrongdoing across a broad spectrum. Criminal charges like the following are especially common in the student realm:
- Shoplifting and varied theft offenses
- Assault (sexual misconduct, bar fights, battery, weapon use)
- Drinking-related offenses, including driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs)
- Drug offenses
That last bullet entry spotlights a crime category that is a flat top-tier focus for police departments.
Special drug crime concerns for students and other young people
“Texas drug laws are harsh.”
That is a succinct and bottom-line comment delivered by a legal source spotlighting the potential ramifications of a criminal drug charge for a Texas student or other individual. That overview adds that even an arguably minor offense can spur notably punitive consequences. Students often face challenges linked to the following allegations:
- Simple possession, even of a small amount of marijuana
- Possession or sale of opioids or other controlled substances
- Prescription drug offenses
- Drug cultivation and/or manufacturing
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
Texas parents of a student or other child who is currently facing legal challenges tied to one or more criminal charges have obvious concerns. They can purposefully respond by securing prompt and results-oriented help from a proven criminal defense attorney.
