College students do their best to navigate the challenging but exciting new environment away from home. Balancing academic studies with a robust social life can certainly be a challenge. Some students might turn to alcohol or drugs for stress relief, study aides or fun.
Students that participate in common campus crimes such as drug use and underage drinking may face consequences that derail their academic careers.
1. University discipline
The college might remove an offending student from sports teams or other extracurriculars. If the student violates the university code of conduct, the board might expel the student or require mandatory substance counseling.
A student who commits a crime on campus might also lose financial aid awards or face removal from work-study programs, depending on the nature of the offense. This can detrimentally affect if the student can afford to continue pursuing a degree.
2. Criminal convictions
The legal consequences for a criminal conviction range from fines to prison sentences. The specific penalties vary depending on the type of substance and the charge.
3. Limited prospects
Specific industries avoid employing those with criminal records. A conviction may limit students from future job opportunities and graduate school admissions. Competitive master’s programs may overlook students with a criminal history. Even some relatively minor misdemeanor charges may still appear on a background check.
Though some students make think certain common campus crimes are harmless, a student’s reputation can suffer for many years after a conviction. A strong case may help minimize the long-term consequences of a criminal offense.