Common charges for students
- Underage possession or consumption of alcohol, and using a fake ID.
- Possession of marijuana or other drugs.
- DWI, including underage DWI.
- Shoplifting and larceny.
- Assault and fights.
- Noise, disorderly conduct, and other local ordinance violations.
- Charges from parties, tailgates, and campus events.
Some of these feel minor, but a conviction can follow you into internships, graduate school, professional licenses, and jobs.
Two systems at once
Your school’s student conduct process and the criminal court are separate. A school can open a conduct case even if the criminal case is dismissed, and the school does not have to wait for the court. What you say in a conduct meeting may be used in the criminal case.
Before you write a statement, attend a conduct meeting, or talk with campus police, speak with a criminal defense lawyer. Many schools allow an advisor in conduct proceedings. Rules differ from school to school.
Parents often want to help, and they should. But a parent’s conversation with a student about the facts is not protected the way a conversation with the student’s lawyer is. Let the lawyer hear the facts first.
Campus police and dorm searches
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro and North Carolina A&T State University have their own police departments, and Greensboro police also patrol nearby areas. Campus police are law enforcement officers, and your constitutional rights apply.
Dorm searches raise their own questions. A residence agreement may allow school staff to enter a room for safety or maintenance checks, but a police search for evidence of a crime is different. Whether a search was lawful depends on who searched, why, and whether there was consent or a warrant. Do not consent to a search. Say clearly, “I do not consent to a search,” and do not physically resist.
Options that may protect your record
We never promise a result. For first-time, lower-level charges, North Carolina courts and prosecutors sometimes allow deferred prosecution, conditional discharge, or other programs that can end in a dismissal. A dismissed charge may then be eligible for expunction. Eligibility depends on the charge and your history. We explain each option and its tradeoffs.
These programs usually come with conditions, such as community service, a class, or staying out of trouble for a period of time. Missing a condition can bring the case back to court, so it helps to plan around exams and breaks.
International and out-of-state students
For students who are not U.S. citizens, even a minor charge can affect visa status. Tell us about your status at the start so we can account for it, and talk with an immigration lawyer where needed.
Students who are out of state, or whose families live far away, can often keep up with school while the case moves forward. We explain which dates the student must attend and which a lawyer can handle, and we confirm that in writing.
Alcohol, fake IDs, and parties
Underage alcohol charges are some of the most common cases for students. Possessing or consuming alcohol under the legal age, using another person’s ID, and altering an ID are separate offenses, and the ID charges can be treated more seriously than the alcohol charge itself. Providing alcohol to someone under age can also lead to charges.
At parties and tailgates, officers may cite several people at once. Each person’s case depends on what the officer actually saw that person do. Being near alcohol is not the same as possessing it. If you were cited, keep track of who was there and what happened, and do not discuss it in group chats.
How we help students and parents
Attorney Mayra Nieves is a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University. Our firm practices in Guilford County courts every week. We tell students and parents the hard truth about the case and protect the student’s future in court. We explain our fee in writing before you hire us.
Call (336) 281-2008 or request a consultation. Hablamos español.
This page is general information about North Carolina law, not legal advice. Every case is different, and no lawyer can promise a result.
Questions people ask us
Will my college find out about my arrest?
It may. Campus police share information with the school, and some schools learn of off-campus arrests as well. Many schools also have rules about reporting arrests. Talk to a lawyer before you respond to the school.
Can I be disciplined by my school if my charge is dismissed?
Yes. A student conduct case is separate from the criminal case and uses its own rules. A dismissal in court does not automatically end a conduct case.
Can campus police search my dorm room?
It depends. School staff may enter rooms under housing rules, but a police search for evidence generally needs consent, a warrant, or another legal basis. You have the right to refuse consent to a search.
Can a first offense for a college student be dismissed?
Sometimes. Some first-time, lower-level charges may qualify for deferred prosecution or a conditional discharge that can end in dismissal. It depends on the charge, the court, and your record.
Will a charge affect my visa?
It can. International students can face visa consequences from even minor charges. Tell your lawyer about your status at the start, and talk with an immigration lawyer where needed.