San Antonio Lawyer Defends College Students Accused of Crimes

Knowledgeable Texas attorney assists campus defendants in prosecutions and Title IX proceedings

College provides most young adults with their first taste of independence from adult supervision. Unfortunately, some students may not be able to handle that freedom, and their actions may lead to criminal charges. If your son or daughter finds themselves in this situation, trust Kevin L. Collins, P.C., in San Antonio, to provide skilled representation. As a board-certified specialist in both criminal law and juvenile law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, I am able to protect your child’s rights so that youthful indiscretions don’t negatively affect their future.

Responsive advocate handles a wide variety of student crimes

Even kids who have never before been in trouble can find themselves on the wrong end of the law on campus. There are many ways in which college students can get themselves into trouble:

• Sexual assault and date rape — Sexual exploration may take an unfortunate turn when the people involved have a miscommunication or one of them takes undue advantage of the other.

• Indecent exposure —Exposing one’s private parts to someone without that person’s consent is a crime that can cause lasting embarrassment to the defendant.

• Violent crime — Disagreements may turn into altercations that cause injuries and lead to criminal assault, battery and, in the worst cases, murder charges.

• Hazing — Fraternities are a fixture of campus life, but the tradition of hazing pledges, if carried too far, may result in death or injury and criminal charges for those deemed responsible.

• Alcohol-related crimes — Alcohol is readily available on college campuses, leading some students to drink to excess and act in ways they wouldn’t otherwise. Kids who are drunk may engage in criminal behavior such as assaults, sexual misconduct and driving under the influence.

• Drug crimes —The temptation to experiment with marijuana, cocaine and other drugs risks jail time for those who indulge. Dealing drugs and merely possessing a large quantity of them may result in even harsher punishment.

• Theft — Living in close quarters with other people can lead to theft allegations, with serious consequences.

If your son or daughter faces any of these allegations, it’s essential to seek legal help immediately.  When charges are filed, college students may expect to be prosecuted as adults, not juveniles, even for minor infractions. When that happens, I will ensure they receive a vigorous defense and work to alleviate or minimize the consequences.

Skilled counselor assists in Title IX proceedings

Title IX is the common name for a federal civil rights statute that outlaws sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence, in all colleges, universities and schools receiving federal funding. It provides victims of sexual crimes an alternative avenue of redress. If the school is aware of possible sexual misconduct, even if the alleged victim does not file a complaint, it is required to investigate the allegations and take effective steps to stop or resolve the problem. Title IX also requires schools to establish prompt and fair grievance procedures for handling complaints of sexual misconduct. These procedures must give both the alleged victim or complainant and the alleged perpetrator or respondent the opportunity to present evidence and the same rights to appeal. If your son or daughter is a respondent in a Title IX grievance procedure, or the subject of a Title IX investigation, I will fight for their rights as zealously as if they were facing criminal charges.

Contact a dedicated San Antonio defense attorney for your college student’s criminal allegation

If your son or daughter in college is accused of a crime or faces a Title IX investigation or grievance proceeding, reach out to Kevin L. Collins, P.C. in San Antonio. I represent students across Texas facing a wide range of allegations. Call 210-598-8629 or contact me online.