With the new school year upon us, parents across California are experiencing the joy, stress and fear of sending their grown child off to college. One of the issues that preoccupies many parents is the presence of crime on their child’s campus.
Crime can happen anywhere, and colleges and universities are no exception. Some crime occurs because a criminal chooses to target young people; others happen because a young college student makes a poor decision. Either way, now that you have sent your son or daughter off to college, take a moment to learn more about some of the most commonly occurring crimes at institutions of higher learning.
Crimes at colleges and universities
As we mentioned, crime can occur anywhere—even the safest of locations. Some of the most common offenses that take place on college campuses include:
- Underage drinking
- DUI and DWI
- Disorderly conduct
- Vandalism
- Drug possession, manufacture and sale
- Theft
- Simple assault
- Sexual offenses
This list is far from complete. There is also no certainty that an offense that we listed will occur at your child’s campus.
What to do if your child is involved in a crime
You do not have to live with a constant anxiety that your will child become entangled in a crime. However, you can take the proactive measure of learning what to do if this happens. Tell your son or daughter not to speak with the police without counsel present. Even if your child was the victim of a crime, many people accidentally make incriminating statements to police. If necessary, have them seek medical treatment for any injuries. Then, consider your legal options to help them protect their reputations and their futures.
