Pumphrey Law Criminal Defense FAMU Students

Florida A&M University (FAMU) Students

FAMU Student Defense Attorney

The attorneys at Pumphrey Law represent students attending the Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, FL. When a student at FAMU is charged with a crime or given a “notice to appear” on a criminal offense, the law enforcement officer will often file a copy of the report to officials at FAMU.

Even if the incident occurred off campus, FAMU could initiate a disciplinary action against the student. For the FAMU student, the disciplinary action can result in failure of an academic course, termination of a housing contract, probation, suspension, or even expulsion.

In these cases, the student must face a judge in the criminal case and a school administrator in the disciplinary action.

Disciplinary Actions at FAMU can involve violations of the student code of conduct, residence hall regulations or academic honor code. Our attorneys are experienced in helping FAMU students. We know how these decisions are made and the best ways to fight the case to protect the student. We are also familiar with the tactics of the FAMU Police with the Department of Campus Safety & Security and their standard operating procedures.

Criminal Charges Against FAMU Students

We represent FAMU students on a wide range of criminal cases including:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI);
• Possession of Marijuana;
• Possession of a Controlled Substance;
• Shoplifting (Petit Theft or Retail Theft)
• Violent Crimes
• Property Crimes
• Sexually Motivated Crimes
• Firearm Charges
• Violation of Probation

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FAMU Disciplinary Review Board

The FAMU Disciplinary Review Board of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions has enacted procedures for disciplinary hearings. A disciplinary hearing can be initiated after an accusation that a FAMU student has engaged in various forms of nonacademic misconduct such as:

1. Possession of alcohol by a student who is under 21 years old
2. Possession of marijuana
3. Possession of a controlled substance
4. Possession of drug paraphernalia
5. Vandalism or criminal mischief
6. Theft
7. Disorderly conduct

Additionally, a prospective and returning student must indicate on the application any involvement in a criminal act or unlawful violation. That disclosure is reviewed by the FAMU Disciplinary Review Board for a recommendation.

The President to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs is responsible for the disciplinary action along with the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Disciplinary Committee.

When a FAMU Student Applicant Has a Criminal Record

The Disciplinary Committee has jurisdiction over cases of violations of the law referred to it by the FAMU Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The Committee uses the operational procedures during the deliberation. The decisions of FAMU Disciplinary Committee are subject to review and appeal as provided in the policies and procedures.

The application includes the following question:

Have you ever been charged with a violation of the law which resulted in, or if still pending could result in, probation, community service, a jail sentence, or the revocation or suspension of your driver’s license (including traffic violations which resulted in a fine of $200 or more)?

If the answer is yes, the applicant must:

1. Provide a statement regarding the incident(s)
2. Furnish FAMU with a list of all violations
3. Comply with any request for additional documents required for further evaluation
4. Furnish FAMU with a copy of the criminal background history from each state in which the violation(s) occurred

For incidents that occurred in Florida, the criminal background history can be submitted to the Office of Admissions, 1700 Lee Hall Drive, FHAC, G-9, Tallahassee FL 32307-3200 from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other local Law Enforcement agencies. See http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Content/home.aspx.

The application also asks:

Have you ever been charged with a felony (even if adjudication was withheld)?

If the answer is yes, the applicant must do all of the following:

1. Furnish a statement regarding the incident
2. Submit a criminal history record that that will be evaluated to be considered for admission

After the application is received, a decision is made by appropriate Admissions Officer and the Director to determine if the file warrants further review by the Disciplinary Review Board.

If further review is required, the applicant must provide the following:

1. A letter of appeal
2. A copy of the criminal history record
3. At least three (3) letters of recommendation

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Additional Resources

• FAMU Police with the Department of Campus Safety & Security
  The Department of Campus Safety and Security at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) was chosen amount a small group of state university police departments to receive recognition from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) for initial accreditation status. The accreditation process involved an independent inspection of departmental policies and procedures, the review of written documentation and agency operations, interviews with personnel, and facility inspections to ensure compliance with the accreditation standards set by the CFA.

  Department of Campus Safety & Security
  2400 Wahnish Way
  POM Bldg. A, Suite 128
  Tallahassee, Florida 32307

• FAMU Resource Site

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Attorneys for FAMU Students in Tallahassee

Call our firm to speak with an experienced student defense attorney during a free consultation. We can help a FAMU student, and their parents understand the allegations pending against the student and possible defenses that can be used to fight the allegation.

Call Pumphrey Law to discuss your case today. Let us put our experience to work for you.

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This article was last updated on October 22, 2016.