4 common college crimes

Your college years are a time of growth and experimentation. During this time of your life, you will experience a lot of achievements and challenges, and you may even encounter some legal troubles.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were 27,500 crimes against people and property at college institutions in 2015. Here are some of the most common types of criminal activities that occur on public and private college campuses:

1. Alcohol crimes

You may find yourself around a lot of alcohol when you are at college. However, consuming alcohol can turn into a problem. Some alcohol offenses include:

• Underage drinking
• Driving under the influence
• Public intoxication

Alcohol intoxication can impair your judgment, behavior and response time. Drinking alcohol may also be a contributing factor in other criminal offenses because it may cause poor judgment or aggression.

2. Drug crimes

Using illegal drugs is also common for young adults. You may deal with serious consequences if you get a conviction for possessing, using or selling illicit substances. Even misusing prescription medications may get you in trouble with the law.

3. Theft

Theft is actually the most reported type of on-campus offense. In fact, 12,300 burglaries took place on colleges in 2015. Some commonly stolen items include laptops, smartphones and tablets. Other types of theft include robberies and motor vehicle theft.

4. Assault or battery

Sometimes, situations get out of hand and violence ensues. The repercussions of assault charges can be severe, especially if weapons are part of the picture.

If the police arrest you on campus, you may be facing a variety of possible consequences. Getting in trouble with the law in college can not only result in jail time and fines, it may also cause a suspension and affect your future aspirations. If you face any issues regarding a crime at your university, make sure you take it seriously and get the help you need to defend yourself.