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Student Legal Services

Student Lawyer

When we send our children off to college, they are usually no longer juveniles. But neither are they fully mature adults. College students are often getting their first taste of real freedom, away from the guidance and control of their parents. Some may still lack the judgment that comes with maturity and experience. Students sometimes make mistakes that result in involvement with law enforcement, and criminal charges result. Drug crimes, including possession or sale or manufacture, are common on campuses. Allegations of sexual assault may occur on a date when a student misreads a flirtation as a desire for consensual sex. Or a student may “borrow” a laptop computer left untended, perhaps expecting to use and return it at some later time. A felony conviction, in particular, can have dire consequences for the future. It may mean loss of scholarship money and/or expulsion from school, and limited options for future employment, in addition to jail time and other legal penalties. A conviction for sexual assault will often result in a lifetime of having to register as sex offender, with the stigma that that designation carries. Because these false accusations can alter a person’s life significantly, it is important to find a Tampa college crime attorney to discuss your legal options.

Crime on Campus in Florida

The University of Tampa has a relatively high crime rate as compared with other colleges and universities across the country. The University of South Florida fares slightly better for crimes within campus boundaries, but the surrounding area where many students live has a high rate of crime. You can compare these schools’ crime rates along with 32 other Florida colleges on our Florida Crime Statistics Chart. We looked that the most common crimes reported at universities including:

  • Forcible sexual assault
  • Robbery
  • Aggravated assault
  • Burglary
  • Motor vehicle theft
  • Underage drinking and DUI
  • Drug crimes

It is a terrible tragedy when a promising student with a bright future is arrested and faces criminal charges. If you are a college student, or the parent of a student who is facing criminal charges, you may be feeling that everything you or your child has been working for has been lost. But it may not have to be that way. With the help of a very good Tampa criminal defense lawyer, the charges may be dismissed or reduced.

A Note to Parents of Students Accused of a Campus Crime

If you are a parent whose son or daughter has been charged with a crime on or around campus, you are probably in despair. You may have scrimped and saved for your child’s education, only to be faced with the possibility of having your hopes and dreams thrown away. If you are a student who has worked hard to get where you are and now risk losing it all, you may feel as if your life is over. But don’t lose hope. Tampa lawyer Will Hanlon has a superb reputation and a long record of having charges dismissed or reduced, as well as having his clients acquitted at trial.

A Tampa College Crime Attorney Can Help

At the Hanlon law offices, we understand the despair that you and your college-age student feel when a criminal charge threatens your future. But with Will Hanlon has been successfully defending the accused for more than twenty years. He knows the courts system and has earned the respect of prosecutors and judges. He is thoroughly experienced in using the system to each client’s best advantage and identifying the best possible defense in each individual case.

Don’t risk your child’s future by allowing your son or daughter to be represented by an over-extended public defender. Bring on board an attorney who will devote the time and focused energy needed to avoid jail time and life-limiting consequences of a criminal conviction. Call Will Hanlon immediately. The sooner you get Will on the case, the better the odds of achieving an outcome that will preserve your child’s freedom and options for a bright and successful future.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
EXCELLENT DEFENSE ATTORNEY
I retained Mr. Hanlon for two cases... He handled both cases very quickly and without me present. The end result was all three charges on two separate cases were dismissed. I couldn't be more pleased with the service I received from Mr. Hanlon.
- Ashley
★★★★★
TOP NOTCH ATTORNEY
Excellent attorney! Will handled my petty theft case with the utmost professionalism and kept me informed of my options and choices every step of the way. The evidence was highly circumstantial and predatory, but luckily the whole case was null processed. I highly recommend Will because of his expertise and knowledge.
- Criminal Defense Client
★★★★★
SUCCESSFUL REDUCTION OF MY CHARGE
Mr. Hanlon was extremely professional in handling my DUI case. His office was very helpful in answering all my questions. I was so pleased when he reduced my charge from a DUI to Reckless Driving. It was a weight off my shoulders. I would highly recommend him for any DUI case based on his high success rate in reducing the charges. Thanks again Mr. Hanlon.
- Steve