Defending College Students Who Are Facing Drug Charges
If you are a college student who has been arrested on drug charges, it is important to understand whom to trust and who has your best interests in mind. It’s not the police. They may exaggerate the evidence they have against you or attempt to intimidate you with the seriousness of the charges in order to elicit a confession or gain your cooperation against others.
What to Do if You Face Drug Possession Charges
Don’t talk to the police or anyone else about your case without first speaking to a lawyer experienced in defending clients against drug charges. You are in a vulnerable position and there are many advantages to being represented by a skilled attorney at the earliest possible time. Remember: any call you make from jail is likely being recorded and can be used against you.
The penalty for a criminal conviction goes beyond fines, probation or even incarceration. A criminal conviction stays on your record for life and can negatively affect your college enrollment status and future employment options, and in some cases, your eligibility for student aid.
Successfully Defending College Students
As a criminal defense attorney who has been protecting the rights of college students in Syracuse, New York, and the surrounding area for more than 20 years, I represent clients who are facing all kinds of drug-related charges, including:
- Drug possession and drug sales
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Drug trafficking or smuggling
- Drug manufacturing
- Prescription drugs
I can help whether you were arrested for possessing prescription drugs like Ritalin or OxyContin without a prescription, or for selling street drugs like cocaine, meth, heroin or Ecstasy.
Resolving Drug Cases Before Trial
Contact me, criminal defense attorney George Hildebrandt. I always try to resolve cases involving drug charges before they go to trial. In negotiating with the prosecutor, I may explain that my client is young, away from home for the first time and simply used bad judgment. I may ask people who know you well, including current or former faculty members, clergy or coaches, to attest to your character.
If you have a substance abuse problem, I will encourage you to get treatment for it as a way to show that you are taking responsibility for your problem.
Sometimes cooperating with authorities is a viable option, but do not attempt to negotiate a deal on your own. I’ll make sure the authorities remember and uphold their end of the bargain.
If your case does go to trial, I will vigorously defend you. I recognize the long-lasting consequences a conviction on drug charges can have and will work hard to achieve a positive outcome no matter what the circumstances.
Effects Of Drug Convictions On Student Aid
A conviction for drug possession or sale can render a student ineligible to receive financial aid, including grants, loans or work assistance.
Ineligibility periods are harsher for convictions for the sale of drugs. The “sale” of a controlled substance, however, is a broad term under the law, and can include transfers of even small amounts of drugs for no money at all.
Contact Our Syracuse Office
To learn more about how I can help, please contact my office any time of the night or day. Call 866-929-3285 or toll free at 315-350-3980. I also represent college students charged with DUI/drunk driving and other alcohol-related offenses.