College students find themselves in need of criminal defense

Students have recently been arrested and charged with crimes at Dillard University located in Louisiana. The alleged crimes involve rape and sexual assault. There are at least four active cases being investigated by the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD). The students charged may be in need of a criminal defense.

Two current students were recently arrested and charged in relation to an incident that occurred in April. The alleged assailants knew the reported victims, and the identities of all the people involved are being withheld in an effort to protect the identities of the reported victims and their alleged assailants. Because the stigma of a sexual assault charge can be damaging, authorities are diligently working to protect the anonymity of those involved.

The arrests followed a protest on campus regarding consent and support of victims of sexual violence. The issue of consent has become a serious one on many college campuses. The schools, including Dillard University, are striving to educate their student bodies regarding the laws around consent. These efforts include education not only on consent but also the culture of rape and methods and tactics that students can use to protect themselves in threatening situations.

Being a young college student and being charged with sexual assault may be a Louisiana college student’s worse nightmare. The stigma that can accompany such a charge can remain with one well beyond one’s college years. This was witnessed in a recent confirmation hearing of a Supreme Court Justice. Someone finding himself in such a situation could benefit from the advice and criminal defense provided by an experienced criminal law attorney. A knowledgeable lawyer can help ensure that one’s rights are understood and protected throughout the criminal justice process.