Boston College Student Defense Lawyers
Everyone makes mistakes — especially teens and young adults. At Carney, Gaudet & Carney, our job is to help prosecutors, judges and juries look beyond the mistake and see the person.
We take the time to get to know your child — his or her strengths, weaknesses and struggles — and build his or her story into our defense. We find that when the prosecution feels like they know your child, they are more willing to grant him or her a second chance.
Located in Boston, we defend teenagers and young adults throughout Massachusetts against a wide variety of crimes, including:
- Drunk driving
- Drug offenses
- Underage drinking
- Sex offenses
- Theft crimes
- Violent crimes
A Criminal Conviction Will Greatly Limit Your Child’s Future
For a young person, a criminal conviction can be especially limiting. Getting into college or graduate school with a criminal record can be challenging. If the crime was drug-related, your child will lose his or her eligibility for federal financial aid. These consequences are in addition to the prison time and fines he or she may be sentenced to.
Our lawyers understand that this may be the biggest legal issue your family has ever faced. We want you to know that we take your child’s criminal charges as seriously as you do. We will do everything in our power to make sure this charge does not damage your child’s future. We not only represent clients in court, but also in college campus disciplinary hearings.
Benefit From Our Years Of Criminal Defense Experience
Jay Carney is one of the most respected criminal defense attorneys in the state. Over the course of his career, he has handled some of the most complex — and widely publicized — cases in the country.
When you come to Carney, Gaudet & Carney, you benefit from Jay’s legal knowledge and the experience of our entire legal team. Depending on the complexity of your child’s case, attorney Carney may act in an advisory capacity only, overseeing the overall legal strategy, or he may personally handle every aspect of the case.
FAQs About Campus Crimes
A young adult should learn from mistakes, but one error should not ruin their opportunity to succeed. At Carney, Gaudet & Carney, it is our goal to help minimize the impact of a criminal charge on your or your child’s future. Lead by one of the most successful criminal defense attorneys in the state, we offer strong and strategic defense in court and in campus disciplinary hearings.
What are the penalties for underage possession of alcohol in Massachusetts?
It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to possess, transport or carry alcohol in Massachusetts without being accompanied by a parent or guardian. Penalties include a fine of $50 for the first offense and up to $150 for a subsequent offense. Your driver’s license will also be suspended for 90 days.
How do campuses handle underage drinking, sex offense allegations and other policy offenses?
University and college administrations have separate disciplinary and Title IX hearings with penalties for breaking campus rules. Title IX is a federal civil rights law that requires sex crime allegations to be investigated by the school administration. These hearings do not take the outcome of criminal hearings into account, meaning you may still face campus penalties even if your name is cleared of criminal charges. You may face suspension, expulsion and a permanent citation on your student record. A sex offense citation can be especially damaging to a young person’s college career and their future. Our firm offers experienced campus disciplinary hearing defense.
What are the penalties for marijuana and pill possession on campus?
Marijuana is legal in Massachusetts for adults over the age of 21, but colleges and universities have their own drug policies that students must adhere to. For example, Harvard University has a drug-free school policy and prohibits possession, use or distribution of marijuana by anyone on campus under the age of 21. Students are also prohibited from possessing, using or distributing other illegal substances, such as pills without a prescription. Penalties for breaking these rules can range from suspension to expulsion.
Is it illegal to have a fake ID in Massachusetts?
Yes, it is illegal for minors to lie about their age to purchase alcohol. If you are found attempting to buy alcohol with a fake ID, then you can face a fine of up to $300 and will have your driver’s license suspended for 180 days.
We Will Fight For Your Child’s Future
If your high school or college age student is in trouble with the law, contact our firm. Our lawyers will take immediate steps to protect your child against the heavy consequences of a conviction. Call 617-404-9683 to schedule a consultation.