Every parent hopes that their child will never experiment with drugs. The bad news is that there are no reliable predictors of whether or not a student will make that choice. Whether it’s a case of rebelling against authority or simply giving in to peer pressure, anyone’s child can end up caught under the influence at school.

Keep reading to learn more about what can happen if your child is caught under the influence of drugs or alcohol while in high school. If you are in this situation right now, contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 for a free consultation with an experienced juvenile defense attorney.

Students Who Have Just Finished High School but Not Yet Graduated Can Still See Serious Consequences

To highlight how these cases can go, let us consider the case of a high school senior who, a few weeks before the graduation ceremony, decided to use a controlled substance to celebrate his upcoming graduation. He was caught under the influence on campus and this decision had the potential to make a significant impact on his educational future.

What the Law Says

The California Education Code makes it clear that it is not legal for a student to possess, sell, use, furnish, or be under the influence of any controlled substance, intoxicant, or alcoholic beverage. The result in the case described above was that the school suspended the senior for five days – but they also recommend to the District that the student be expelled. This would have prevented him from getting his high school diploma.

An Intervention at the Right Time Can Make All the Difference

The student in question worked with an attorney who was able to act quickly to find the path forward that would most likely lead to the student being able to graduate. The attorney negotiated with the school district and convinced them to suspend the expulsion recommendation and let the student graduate, which the district did.

The school district was also convinced to not further pursue the case so the student’s academic record would not show that they were expelled. This is essential because an expulsion can lead to a denial from the university they want to attend or being turned down for a job.

An Attorney Can Help – Call Us Today

The simple truth is that everyone makes mistakes. At Law Office of Michael L. Fell, we believe that a mistake made by a high schooler should not ruin the rest of their life. If your child is facing criminal and/or academic charges then we recommend contacting an experienced attorney right away. You can call us at (949) 585-9055 for a free legal consultation.