Readying Your College Student to Steer Clear of Legal Trouble
The fall semester is right around the corner and with it, a new crop of incoming college freshmen on campuses across the country.
While parents want to assume the best and that their now-adult children will make the right decisions on their own, it is not always that simple. As students experience life away from home for the first time, there are many factors to consider, and a single poor choice can have a lifetime impact.
Learn more at our August 2nd Wednesday session:
- When: August 13, from 12:00-12:30 pm
- Registration: https://bit.ly/2ndWeds2025
Moderator Rob Hamor welcomes litigator and criminal law attorney Alex Rusek. Alex will explain the importance of discussing with your college-bound student what to be on the lookout for to better prepare themselves on issues they may face and avoid unintended consequences such as:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Academic Dishonesty/Cheating
- Students that find themselves overwhelmed with assignments, may turn to AI software such as ChatGPT to help them research and draft papers. While this may make their workload easier, colleges and universities are cracking down on flagging potential plagiarism. Alex will discuss how students are currently using AI and what the potential academic consequences are for misuse of these tools?
- Alcohol and Controlled Substance Use
- The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimates that approximately 4 out of 5 college students consume alcohol. With easier access, students may drink or use drugs for a variety of reasons including peer pressure and to relieve stress. Alex will discuss criminal repercussions and collateral consequences of drug and/or alcohol use including academic consequences such as expulsion and difficulty in applying for federal loans.
- Other Offenses
- Alex will discuss best practices to help reduce risk along with who to contact if your student is a victim of theft, assault/battery and domestic violence. Alex will also give an overview of the sensitive topic of sexual consent. Any sexual activity without consent i.e., saying explicit things, groping, etc., even if the victim knows the perpetrator, is considered assault.
