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FSU College Student Defense Attorney

Criminal Defense for FSU Students

When a college student at Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL, is charged with a crime, the stakes are high. Not only will the student face the criminal charges in court, but the university may also initiate a disciplinary action against the student. The criminal case and the disciplinary action can have a long-lasting consequence on the student's future educational opportunities.

Disciplinary hearings can involve an accusation of wrongdoing even if no arrest was made. It is not necessarily required that the alleged misconduct occurred on campus. At FSU, disciplinary hearings can involve any of the following:

• criminal charges regardless of whether the offense occurred on campus or off campus;
• non-criminal violations of the student code;
• violations of the academic honor code; and
• violations of residence hall regulations.

The result of a disciplinary action against a student at Florida State University (FSU) is expulsion, suspension, or probation. The violation might also lead to a termination of a housing contract or failure of an academic course. Any action taken by Florida State University can be very expensive for the student and their parents.

Many of these allegations are investigated by officers with the Florida State University Police Department (FSUPD). We are familiar with the standard operating procedures that these officers must follow. We can help the student invoke their right to remain silent and the right to have an attorney represent them at every stage of the case, including in the courtroom and at the disciplinary hearing.

Call (850) 681-7777 to talk to the attorney at the Pumphrey Law.

Criminal Charges Against FSU College Students

Undergraduate and graduate students at Florida State University (FSU) should immediately contact an attorney if they are charged with a crime or told that a disciplinary action will be brought against them. The criminal defense attorneys at Pumphrey Law are experienced in representing FSU students charged with the following types of criminal offenses:

• DUI
• Underaged Possession of Alcohol
• Minor in Possession of Alcohol
• Possession of a Fake Identification
• Possession of Marijuana
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Trespass
• Criminal Traffic Offenses
• Reckless Driving
• Drug Crimes
• Theft Crimes
• Sexual Assault
• Rape / Sexual Battery
• Dating or Domestic Violence
• Stalking
• Weapon Charges

The Student Conduct Code at FSU is 26 pages long. The code outlines dozens of specifically banned acts, including:

• Sexual Misconduct;
• Endangerment;
• Stalking;
• Hazing;
• Weapons Possession; and
• The Use or Possession of Illegal Drugs.

Additional Resources

FSUPD - With more than sixty-seven (67) sworn law enforcement officers, the Florida State University Police Department (FSUPD) takes a proactive approach to law enforcement to protect students, staff, and visitors at the campus in Tallahassee and Panama City. As the third-largest law enforcement agency in Leon County, the FSUPD provides 24-hour protection for more than 40,000 students, faculty, and staff across the 450-acre Tallahassee campus. Its jurisdiction also includes facilities of the university in outlying areas, such as properties within Innovation Park and the Capital District.

Florida State University Student Conduct Code - The code appears in State of Florida Administrative Code FSU-ER15-3. The code outlines the rights, offenses, procedures and policies that are upheld by FSU’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. The code was last updated in June of 2016.

FSU Student Conduct Hearings Have Own Set of Rules - Read a news article from the Tallahassee Democrat about Florida State University’s system for determining whether a student has violated its code of conduct which is very different from what defendants in criminal cases encounter in the courtroom. The article explains why the standard of proof is lower and why the accused doesn’t always get to face the accuser during cross-examination.

Finding a Criminal Defense Attorney for FSU College Students

If you or your child is a student at Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee facing a criminal charge or violation of the student conduct code and disciplinary hearing, then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the Pumphrey Law.

At student conduct code violation hearings, FSU students found responsible for the violation can face punishments including reprimand and community-service hours and, in more serious cases, removal from student housing, suspension, and expulsion. The punishments at the disciplinary hearing can occur even before the student enters the courtroom to face the criminal charges.

Students need an attorney that can protect them at every stage of the case. With offices conveniently located in Tallahassee in Leon County, call us to schedule a free and confidential consultation to discuss your case. Let us put our experience to work for you.

This article was last updated on Friday, March 17, 2017.