Many young adults in Virginia take their college studies very seriously. They hope that, by doing well in their classes, they will graduate and be able to find a good job. However, there are certain things that could jeopardize a student’s higher education goals. For example, students accused of committing a crime may find their entire future is at stake.

Eight students at the College of William and Mary, along with a college staff member and a visiting professor are all facing criminal charges after police seized what they claimed were illegal drugs. The seized drugs reportedly include marijuana, opioids, cocaine and LSD, among others. These individuals were charged with drug distribution. The arrests came after police received information complaining that an uptick in drug use on campus was leading to unreported sex crimes. The investigation is still ongoing, and hearings have been scheduled.

When a person is accused of committing a crime, it could affect their entire career. Not only may they face losing their current job or being expelled from school but, if convicted, they could find it very difficult to obtain future employment. This is because if a potential employer commits a criminal background check, a drug crime conviction will show up on the check. This could make a person unsuitable for certain types of jobs, especially if the person has a felony conviction on their record.

Therefore, it is important that young people pursuing higher education or just starting out in the career world are not unjustly convicted of a crime. Whether it is drug charges or other types of criminal charges, those who are accused of a crime will want to mount a strong defense. By prevailing at a trial, a person can protect their very livelihood and future career aspirations.

Source:The Virginia Gazette, “8 William and Mary students, professor, staff member arrested on drug distribution charges,” Jimmy LaRoue, April 17, 2018