If a North Carolina college student is caught using, selling or possessing drugs while on the college campus, the consequences can be vastly different than if they were caught on the street. Private schools are less likely to prosecute students for drug-related charges. In fact, research has shown that only a fraction of the students caught with drugs on small campuses are arrested.
However, students attending large public universities are much more likely to be arrested for drug crimes. Large universities typically hire police forces to patrol the campus, which adhere to the state laws rather than the school’s individual policies.
As as a result, the consequences for students caught with drugs can vary drastically across schools. Some universities are more lax than others about enforcing their state’s drug laws. In some schools, the students are let off with a disciplinary referral; in others, they’re arrested in prosecuted.
What should students do if they’re charged with selling, using or possessing drugs?
Drug crimes can lead to serious charges that threaten to destroy a college student’s career. A student faced with drug charges might be arrested, prosecuted and expelled from the school. They might also face fines, jail time and mounting legal fees. As a result, students accused of drug times might find it helpful to speak with a lawyer.
Working with an attorney, a client might be able to defend themselves in court and find holes in the prosecution’s story, which might lead to dropped or reduced charges. They might also be able to negotiate for lower fines and reduced jail time. If the client was falsely accused, the attorney might be able to help them protect their reputation and continue the rest of their college career.
