Protect Your Child from Criminal Charges, School Discipline, and Long-Term Damage

📞 "We Need You to Come to the Office..."

Whether your child is in high school or a freshman at college, getting a call that they've been accused of assaulting another student, teacher, or school staff is terrifying.

In Louisiana, that kind of accusation can mean:

• Criminal charges

• Juvenile court or adult court

• School expulsion or suspension

• Loss of scholarships or student housing

At Lawrence Law Firm, we've helped families in Ruston and throughout North Louisiana walk through this exact situation — and we know the earliest decisions often make the biggest difference.

Here's what to do — and what to avoid — if your child is accused of assault.

⚖️ Step 1: Understand the Type of Assault Charge

“Assault” can mean different things depending on age and context. The two most common scenarios:

If Your Child Is Under 18:

They'll likely be charged in juvenile court with:

• Simple assault

• Simple battery

• Or aggravated battery, depending on the injuries or weapons involved

If Your Child Is 18 or Older (College Student):

They'll face adult charges and could be charged with:

• Simple battery

• Second-degree battery

• Aggravated assault (especially if a weapon or serious injury is alleged)

📌 College students are often surprised to learn a fistfight can still count as battery, and self-defense claims must be carefully managed from day one.

🧭 Step 2: Don't Let Them Talk Without a Lawyer

Whether the school resource officer, principal, or campus police are involved — do not let your child give a statement without legal representation.

Even seemingly harmless phrases like:

• “It was just a shove.”

• “They hit me first.”

• “I was just playing around.”

...can turn into legal evidence that hurts their defense later.

Instruct your child to say:

“I'd like to speak with a lawyer before I answer any questions.”

🏫 Step 3: Know the School's Power — and Its Limits

Public schools and universities in Louisiana can impose discipline even before a court hearing. That includes:

• In-school or out-of-school suspension

• Temporary removal from campus housing

• Referral to a student conduct board or expulsion hearing

But they also must:

• Follow due process (especially at public universities)

• Allow legal counsel to advise students during proceedings

• Provide notice of accusations and hearing procedures

⚠️ Many students try to “handle it themselves” or go into a school hearing without preparation — and end up with a disciplinary record that lasts longer than the charge.

👥 Step 4: Call a Lawyer Who Knows Both Systems

At Lawrence Law Firm, we understand how to navigate criminal charges and school discipline at the same time. We:

• Protect your child's criminal record

• Assert self-defense, mutual combat, or mistaken identity

• Fight for non-conviction resolutions

• Prepare for student conduct hearings

• Keep your child enrolled, on track to graduate, and eligible for financial aid

📞 One Fight Shouldn't End a Future

📞 Call 318.232.4000 to speak with a juvenile and student defense attorney serving Ruston and North Louisiana
🖥️ Or [schedule your confidential consultation] now.

Don't let a mistake in the hallway turn into a permanent record in court. We're ready to help.

🔜 Coming Up Next:

What to Do If You're Arrested for a First-Offense DWI

The blog published by Lawrence Law Firm is available for informational purposes only and is not considered legal advice on any subject matter. By viewing blog posts, the reader understands there is no attorney-client relationship between the reader and the blog publisher. Artificial Intelligence has been used to assist in formatting, topic selection, and organization, and while this information has been reviewed an attorney, this article should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney, and readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel on any specific legal questions concerning a specific situation.