One Arrest Shouldn't End Your College Career.
We represent students at the University of Michigan, Michigan State, Wayne State, Eastern Michigan, and campuses throughout the state. We coordinate strategy across both proceedings to protect you at every level.
Michigan Campus Charges: The Stakes Are High
When a Michigan college student is arrested, the criminal prosecution and the university’s own disciplinary process run simultaneously. The university can suspend or expel you before your criminal case is resolved, using a much lower standard of proof than “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Charges We Defend
- Minor in possession of alcohol (MIP)
- Possession / delivery of controlled substances
- Fake ID / fraudulent use of a credit card
- Sexual assault / Title IX proceedings
- Assault and battery (party / bar disputes)
- Academic dishonesty with criminal exposure
What’s at Stake
- Suspension or permanent expulsion from university
- Loss of federal financial aid eligibility (FAFSA)
- Notation on academic transcript
- Criminal record that follows professional licensing
- Visa revocation for international students
Our College Student Defense Strategies
Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA)
Michigan’s HYTA allows eligible defendants under 26 to have their case assigned without a plea of guilty or not guilty. Successful completion results in no public criminal record. We pursue HYTA whenever possible to protect your future from a single college-era mistake.
Campus Hearing Representation
University disciplinary proceedings operate under school-specific rules, not Michigan Rules of Evidence. We advise students during Title IX investigations, student conduct hearings, and academic integrity panels — controlling the record before criminal court proceedings begin.
Fourth Amendment and Police Conduct
Campus police and municipal law enforcement often lack authority for the searches they conduct at residence halls and off-campus housing. We scrutinize every search warrant, consent argument, and plain-view claim to suppress unlawfully obtained evidence.
Diversion and Plea Alternatives
Many student offenses qualify for first-offender diversion programs that result in dismissal upon completion. We negotiate these outcomes vigorously, coordinating the criminal result with the campus process so a single event does not produce double consequences.
College Student Defense Questions Answered
What is the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act and do I qualify?
The Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA) allows defendants who were under 21 at the time of the offense (or under 26 for certain offenses) to be assigned to trainee status without entering a conviction. Successful completion of conditions results in automatic dismissal and a sealed record.
Will a drug or alcohol charge cost me my financial aid?
A drug conviction while receiving federal student aid can result in a suspension of aid eligibility for one year on a first offense. This is why fighting the charge — not just managing it — is so important for students.
I’m an international student. How does an arrest affect my visa?
International students face serious immigration consequences from criminal charges. Even a misdemeanor conviction can trigger a visa revocation. We work with immigration counsel to minimize this impact.
Speak With an Ann Arbor Defense Lawyer
A confidential conversation early on preserves every available option. Do not speak to investigators without counsel.