Beyond the Dean’s Office: What Happens When a New Jersey College Student Is Charged by Local Police?

The transition to college is one of the most exciting times in a young person’s life. Whether you are heading off to Rowan University in Glassboro, Rutgers in Camden, or Stockton University in Galloway, this season often comes with newfound independence and new responsibilities. With that independence can also come legal situations that many students and parents are not fully prepared to navigate.

One of the most common misconceptions we see at Aydelotte Law, LLC is that if an incident happens near campus or involves a student, the university will be the primary authority handling it. Many families assume a campus disciplinary outcome is the end of the road.

In New Jersey, the situation can be more serious. If you are arrested or issued a summons (a court ticket requiring an appearance) by a local police department, you may be pulled into the New Jersey court system, regardless of what your school decides to do.

Understanding the difference between university discipline and the court process is often the first step in protecting your future. If you are looking for a New Jersey college student defense attorney, we represent college and university students in South Jersey who are charged or investigated by local police.

A quick note about what we handle: We represent students in criminal and traffic cases brought by local police and prosecutors. We do not represent students in administrative Title IX proceedings handled directly through a college or university. If both situations are happening at the same time, we can handle the court case and discuss coordination with campus-facing counsel as needed.

The Two Parallel Tracks of College Discipline

When a college student is accused of misconduct that may also be a crime, they can be forced to navigate two separate systems at the same time.

The Administrative Track (School Discipline)

This track is governed by the university’s Student Code of Conduct. The purpose is to determine whether a student can remain in the campus community. Penalties can involve education-related consequences, such as probation, housing suspension, academic restrictions, or expulsion. These consequences matter, but they are internal to the school.

The Criminal Track (Courts and Prosecutors)

This track involves law enforcement and the courts, and it may proceed through municipal court or Superior Court, depending on the allegation. When local police are involved, their focus is not on your GPA or your standing with the university. It is whether the state believes a law was violated. In New Jersey, this track can involve prosecutors, judges, court dates, and consequences that may affect your record and future opportunities.

These two tracks operate independently, and that independence rarely makes things easier for the student. What the school decides does not control what happens in court, and a school outcome generally cannot make a court case disappear. You need a strategy that addresses the court allegations directly.

Common Charges Local Police Bring in New Jersey College Towns

In many South Jersey college towns, campus security and local police may both respond to student-related incidents, but their roles are different. Local police are often called to off-campus apartments, bars, and public streets, especially after noise complaints, fights, or traffic stops. Traffic stops can also lead to charges such as alcohol- or drug-related driving allegations, reckless driving, or license-related offenses.

Some of the common charges students face include:

Underage Possession or Consumption of Alcohol

New Jersey takes underage drinking seriously. Even on private property, a noise complaint or call for service can lead to police contact and, potentially, an underage alcohol complaint that may require a municipal court appearance and other consequences. This is not just a school issue.

Drug Possession (Controlled Dangerous Substances)

New Jersey’s marijuana laws have changed, but there are still restrictions, including under-21 possession concerns, limits on where marijuana may be used (including public-use restrictions), and school policies that can be stricter than state law. Under-21 possession can still result in civil penalties, police involvement, or school discipline, depending on the circumstances.

The possession of other controlled dangerous substances, including prescription medication without a valid prescription, can lead to serious charges. Police encounters often arise from traffic stops, party calls, or other investigations.

Simple Assault and Disorderly Conduct

Arguments at parties or bars can escalate quickly. When police respond to an altercation, they may charge one person or multiple people, depending on statements, injuries, and evidence. Even lower-level charges can still carry significant consequences.

Providing Alcohol to Minors

Students who are 21 or older sometimes assume hosting a party is only a campus issue. But providing alcohol to someone underage can lead to charges and court involvement. Depending on the circumstances, the consequences can follow you into certain background checks and future opportunities.

Why a Local Police Charge Can Affect Your Future

University discipline can impact your education. A court case can impact your record, your opportunities, and your professional goals, especially if you are facing indictable charges handled in Superior Court.

Internships, graduate programs, and employers may ask about convictions, and some positions involve background checks. Certain outcomes can also create licensing complications in fields such as nursing, teaching, finance, and other regulated professions.

A summons or arrest can create records that may be visible to certain background check providers or agencies, depending on the charge and the outcome of the case. University disciplinary records are handled differently than court records, which is one reason police-involved charges should be taken seriously from day one.

The good news is that some first-time cases may be eligible for diversionary programs or, in certain situations, expungement. Eligibility depends on the facts, the charge, and your record, and some offenses are not eligible. That is why it is important to get legal guidance early.

Why You Need a New Jersey Defense Attorney When Local Police Are Involved

Many parents want to call the school and smooth things over. That may help with campus-related issues, but it does not resolve a charge in municipal court or Superior Court.

When police charges are involved, the focus is on evidence and legal procedure. A defense review may include questions like:

• Did police have a legal basis to enter your residence, including an apartment, house, or dorm room?
• Was the search lawful?
• Were your constitutional rights respected during questioning or arrest?
• Is the evidence reliable and properly documented?

Depending on the situation, diversionary programs may be an option, such as Conditional Discharge or Conditional Dismissal. Eligibility depends on the exact charge, your prior record, and statutory exclusions, and the process requires careful handling in court.

A Message to Parents: Acting Promptly Can Help

If your child calls to say they were arrested or received a summons, it is normal to feel frustrated or overwhelmed. The most important step is to get clear guidance before mistakes are made, especially before speaking with law enforcement, signing anything, or consenting to a search.

Early steps, such as reviewing what happened, identifying witnesses, preserving messages or videos, and understanding court dates, can make a meaningful difference in how a case moves forward.

At Aydelotte Law, LLC, we approach student cases with professionalism and compassion. College students are still learning to navigate adulthood, and with the right approach, a single incident does not have to derail their future.

Protecting Your Rights in South Jersey

If you are a student facing criminal or traffic charges brought by local police in South Jersey, you deserve a defense that takes the court process seriously, without losing sight of your education and your long-term goals. 

Do not assume the university’s response is the whole story. If local police are involved, the criminal case and any related court proceedings deserve immediate attention.

Contact Aydelotte Law, LLC for Help With Local Police Charges

Whether you’re the parent of a college student facing criminal or traffic charges in New Jersey, or you’re a student dealing with these circumstances, do not wait for the school to take action before seeking legal guidance. The court process can move forward independently of campus discipline, and the consequences can be significant.

At Aydelotte Law, LLC, we represent individuals across South and parts of Central New Jersey, including Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem, Atlantic, and Cape May counties. Are you being charged or investigated by local police for alcohol- and drug-related offenses? Are you accused of assault, disorderly conduct, or facing a traffic charge? 

If you are a college student facing accusations by local police, contact our office to schedule a confidential consultation and learn how we can help you protect your rights and your future.

Disclaimer: The articles on this blog are for informational purposes only and are not legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice about your situation, contact a lawyer directly.