Criminal Lawyer for College Students in Columbia
Defending the Youth of South Carolina against Criminal Charges
As much as we hear warnings from our elders, we never really understand the implications of our juvenile actions on our future as adults and career individuals. This is understandable. Individuals at the age of high school and college students seek to make the most of their youth but often fail to think before they act.
Their naïve judgment skills often lead them to situations where they are in trouble with the law and their future is in jeopardy. At Masella Law, we want to see our youth flourish into responsible adults but we don't think that harsh legal punishment is always the best way to do that. Rather, juvenile delinquency should be met with as much compassion and understanding as possible.
Unfortunately, the legal system in South Carolina differs with our belief in raising responsible adolescents, taking a harsher approach. For individuals under the legal adult age and even under the legal drinking age, there are harsh punishments that may result from violating state criminal laws. Criminal charges against adolescents are not only serious because of the immediate penalties that may ensue but also because a conviction could negatively affect future career and education pursuits.
With over two decades of experience working with family law, personal injury and criminal defense cases throughout South Carolina, we at Masella Law Firm, P.A. are prepared to guide you through the legal process. Click below to be taken to our secure payment page.
Diversion Programs for College Students
According to the University of South Carolina Division of Law Enforcement and Safety, the most common arrest on and off campus in 2010 was for drug law violations, followed by liquor law violations. Whether your child is charged with possession of marijuana, minor in possession of alcohol, possession of fake ID or another offense, we will explore all possible options, from negotiating a plea bargain with a reduced sentence to taking the case to trial in pursuit of a full acquittal.
Your child might also be eligible for participation in Pre-Trial Intervention or the Alcohol Education Program, diversion programs which are generally available to first-time offenders who face prosecution for non-violent crimes. Both PTI and AEP make it possible to avoid jail and even to have the defendant's arrest record expunged. Bring the case to us today to learn whether one of these programs might be an option for your child.
