Kevin Kennedy Law Firm | Former Prosecutor | 615-205-7311. Call or text for a free consultation.
A criminal charge during college can affect far more than the immediate court case. Students may face school discipline, housing problems, scholarship consequences, professional-school concerns, immigration issues, or a permanent record at the same time they are trying to finish their education.
Kevin Kennedy is a Nashville criminal defense lawyer and former Davidson County prosecutor. He represents students and families dealing with criminal accusations arising on or around Nashville-area college campuses.
Common College and Campus Criminal Charges
- Underage alcohol possession or consumption.
- Public intoxication.
- Fake ID or criminal impersonation allegations.
- DUI and underage DUI.
- Drug possession and drug paraphernalia.
- Assault or domestic assault.
- Disorderly conduct.
- Criminal trespass.
- Vandalism or property damage.
- Theft or shoplifting.
- Harassment, stalking, or order-of-protection matters.
- Sex-offense allegations.
- Weapons charges.
The Criminal Case and the School Case Are Different
- A university disciplinary process is separate from the criminal court case. A student may face campus consequences even when the criminal case is pending, dismissed, reduced, or resolved without a conviction.
- Statements made in a school investigation can also affect the criminal case. Students should be careful about giving detailed written or recorded accounts before understanding how those statements may be used.
Protecting the Student's Future
- For many students, avoiding a permanent conviction is especially important because graduate programs, professional licensing boards, employers, and background checks may ask about criminal history.
- The defense should evaluate dismissal, diversion, expungement eligibility, and other outcomes with those collateral consequences in mind.
Parents Helping a College Student
- Parents often learn about the case before the student fully understands the consequences. Helpful early steps can include obtaining the citation or warrant, confirming the court date, preserving video or text messages, identifying witnesses, and making sure the student does not miss court or booking requirements.
Talk With a Nashville Campus Crime Lawyer
If you or your child has been accused of a crime while attending college in Nashville or Middle Tennessee, call or text Kevin Kennedy Law Firm at 615-205-7311 for a free consultation.
This page provides general information and is not legal advice.