When Your Whole College Career Is At Risk

Criminal charges can be overwhelming, and your mind may be racing with the possible legal, financial and personal consequences of a conviction. A mark on your criminal record can follow you throughout your future. As a college student, you face a serious risk to your career, housing opportunities and more.

However, taking the right legal steps at the beginning of your case may reduce or prevent a conviction in the first place. Remember: You do not have to speak with prosecutors without your own attorney present.

At Richard H. Sindel, Inc., our criminal defense lawyers can help you navigate the legal process. For over 75 years, our family-owned firm has served college students and young adults across Missouri. We are confident that we can skillfully represent you no matter what charges you face.

As A Student, You Can Lose Your Entire Future

Regardless of which college, university or institute of higher learning you attend, a criminal charge and conviction will affect your academic career. If you are an athlete, it will impact your ability to play and receive scholarship money. If you are a student, a conviction can pull you off of your path and seriously delay and derail your plans. Not many people have the wherewithal to go back to college after spending time in prison.

This is why it is important to work with legal professionals who really know their stuff. You want attorneys who understand the full scope of the charges and know how to defend against the toughest drug-related crimes. We have extensive experience working with students and their families. We also understand how to navigate the collegiate avenues to procure optimal results.  Do not leave your future to chance or hope that the prosecution will take pity on you. Instead, get solid legal protection now.

The Police Won’t Tell You How To Protect Your Rights

You will be read your rights, but this does not mean that law enforcement will help you protect them. Because our team has decades of experience, we know what they will look at to convict you. That is their goal: conviction.

You have rights and protections during a criminal investigation, such as:

• Your Miranda rights: You can stay silent during an arrest even if you are asked questions. Say that you want legal counsel. Say that you wish to decline comment until legal counsel arrives.
• You have the right, not the option, to an attorney. You do not need to speak at all until legal counsel arrives for you.
• You have protection from unreasonable searches and excessive force. You can say no when they ask to search your home, person or vehicle if they do not provide a warrant.
• You have the right to plead not guilty. This prevents a conviction until the prosecutor can prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
• You have the right to a fair trial. Having an attorney represent you can ensure that you get one.
• You have the right to question and cross-examine witnesses who testify against you. Again, an attorney provides a significant advantage here.

The law gives you these rights to protect you from self-incrimination and enable you to build as strong of a defense argument as possible. However, if you don’t take full advantage of these rights, you could leave yourself vulnerable to the prosecution’s tactics. We can help you understand your rights, protect them and work to make the most out of your defense.

Take The First Step In Your Defense

Position your case for the strongest possible defense by working alongside an accomplished attorney. At Richard H. Sindel, Inc., we have advocated for many college students at court as well as in school administrative hearings, and we have earned national recognition for our defense work. Call 314-499-1282 or email our firm in St. Louis for a free consultation.