Salt Lake Community College offers students an affordable, quality education in the heart of Utah’s largest city. If a student violates the SLCC Code of Conduct, he or she may have to attend disciplinary hearings, potentially leading to suspension or expulsion. A disciplinary hearing can be a devastating setback in a student’s academic career, especially when coupled with criminal charges.
If your son or daughter has to attend a disciplinary hearing at Salt Lake Community College – or is required to appear in criminal court – your family needs guidance from an attorney you can trust. Darwin Overson, founder of Overson & Bugden, has over 16 years of experience fighting felony and misdemeanor charges on behalf of college students in Utah. He can represent your child in both academic hearings and criminal court proceedings, building a comprehensive case to protect your son or daughter’s freedoms. With Darwin Overson representing your child, you can feel confident that your family will receive hard-hitting, high-caliber legal representation. To set up a free consultation regarding a criminal charge or disciplinary hearing at Salt Lake Community College in Utah, contact Overson, PLLC online, or call (801) 758-2287 for assistance.
What Sorts of Charges or Allegations Can Lead to a Disciplinary Hearing?
Salt Lake Community College takes student misconduct seriously – especially if the alleged misconduct also violates state laws, like laws against drunk driving or drug possession. An accusation of even a minor criminal offense can lead to a disciplinary hearing or other disciplinary actions. Depending on what the College determines after reviewing the evidence, the student risks penalties including suspension or even expulsion. Needless to say, this can delay or prevent the student from completing coursework, earning their degree, and graduating on time.
In addition to DUI (driving under the influence) and possession of controlled substances, other charges commonly filed against college students in Utah include:
- Aggravated Assault
- Disorderly Conduct
- Distribution of Controlled Substances
- Hazing
- Public Intoxication
- Rape
- Resisting Arrest
- Revenge Porn Offenses
- Shoplifting (Retail Theft)
- Sexual Assault
- Simple Assault
- Theft (Larceny)
- Trespassing
- Underage Possession of Alcohol
- Vandalism/Graffiti
If your child was arrested for these or other crimes while attending Salt Lake Community College, contact an SLCC disciplinary hearing lawyer for legal help right away. Even if you are facing a disciplinary hearing for reasons other than a criminal charge, such as allegedly plagiarizing another student’s paper or cheating on an exam, it is important to have legal representation to ensure that evidence is handled properly and your due process rights are not violated in any way.
What Are the Potential Outcomes of a Student Disciplinary Hearing?
In addition to any sanctions or penalties that might be imposed by the College, such as expulsion or suspension, the student also faces criminal penalties if the violation involved illegal activity. Depending on factors like the student’s age, criminal history, and the severity of the offense, criminal penalties in Utah could include jail or prison time, probation, fines, restitution, suspension or revocation of the student’s license, and community service. An arrest or conviction will also give the student a criminal record, which may be possible to seal or expunge depending on the nature of the offense.
These sorts of outcomes all seriously impact the student’s educational and professional opportunities. For example, a criminal record can make it challenging or in some cases impossible to qualify for student loans or financial aid, get accepted into internship or study abroad programs, or be hired by their dream employers. A felony record can also take away certain rights, such as your right to own or purchase firearms. When you or your child is facing these sorts of consequences, it is crucial to work with a skilled defense attorney for college students in Salt Lake City.
What Are the Criminal Penalties for a Felony or Misdemeanor in Utah?
In Utah, criminal penalties are partially based on the severity of the offense, which is indicated by one of the following labels:
- Class C Misdemeanor
- Class B Misdemeanor
- Class A Misdemeanor
- Third Degree Felony
- Second Degree Felony
- First Degree Felony
First degree felonies are subject to the harshest penalty maximums. At the other end of the spectrum, Class C misdemeanors have the lowest maximum fines and sentences. The maximum sentence for a Class C misdemeanor is 90 days in jail, while the maximum sentence for a first degree felony is life in prison. The maximum fine for a Class C misdemeanor in Utah is $750, compared to $10,000 for a first degree felony. Certain statutes create offense-specific penalty enhancements which can increase the fines or sentence imposed. Other sentencing factors include the defendant’s age, criminal history, and background.
Disciplinary Hearing Attorney for Students at Salt Lake Community College
If you or your son or daughter is facing a student hearing at Salt Lake Community College, don’t wait a moment longer to get the legal help you need. Call Overson & Bugden 24 hours at (801) 758-2287, or contact us online to schedule a free legal consultation today.