Defending Students
Being accused of a crime is unnerving for anyone, but it can be especially unsettling for college students. An accusation or criminal charge may, after all, imperil their academic pursuits, perhaps even their futures. Indeed, colleges and universities may launch their own investigations into any accusations and hold interdisciplinary hearings to determine what, if any, discipline to impose – which may include academic probation, expulsion, and loss of financial aid. A defense lawyer can be a great help.
While the prospect of fighting dual battles can be overwhelming, a disciplinary hearing can offer a rare opportunity for a criminal defense lawyer to cross-examine witnesses in advance of trial. Moreover, a skilled lawyer may be able to preserve the student’s academic standing by persuading the hearing officers to impose no discipline until any accompanying criminal proceeding is resolved.
Disciplinary hearings need not, however, be triggered by criminal accusations alone. Colleges and universities may hold disciplinary hearings for students accused of academic misconduct, such as cheating, plagiarism, sabotaging another student’s work, falsification of academic records, and misrepresentations to gain admission. Given the importance of a clean academic record, preserving the student’s academic standing is paramount.
Attorney Kevin J. Mahoney has successfully defended hundreds of students accused of academic misconduct and crimes such as:
- Operating Under the Influence
- Drug Offenses
- Possession of Alcohol
- Sex Offenses
- Assault and Battery
- Possession of Fake IDs
- Larceny
- Malicious Destruction of Property
To successfully defend a student, Attorney Mahoney will meet with him to hear his side of the story, review in detail the accusations against him, explain the legal and/or disciplinary proceedings, and formulate a winning strategy to extricate him from his legal and academic entanglements.
If you are a student and have been accused of a crime or academic misconduct, give Attorney Mahoney a call at 617-492-0055 to arrange a free in-office consultation.
