Criminal Defense for University of Tampa Students

With an enrollment of over 8,000 students, the University of Tampa (UT) is a private university located on a 105-acre campus adjacent to the Hillsborough River.  When one of those 8,000 college students at UT is accused of a crime either on campus or off campus, the university might take disciplinary action against the student.

When the incident occurs in a dorm room or student housing on campus, the investigations often begin with a complaint being made to a UT resident assistant (RA) before the police are contacted. The University of Tampa also employs security officers and officers with the Tampa Police Department who work in an extra-duty capacity for the university.

Even incidents that occur off-campus are often reported to the University of Tampa by the officers in local police departments, particularly when an arrest is made or the student is issued a notice to appear in court.

In addition to fighting the charges in court, the college students at UT might also face a disciplinary hearing on campus to determine whether they should be expelled from school or student housing. International students face the most serious collateral consequences after an arrest because they are not a U.S. Citizen and face immigration consequences.

Attorney for Students at the University of Tampa

If you are a student at the University of Tampa (UT) who was charged with a crime, then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the Sammis Law Firm. Our office is located in downtown Tampa, just a few blocks from the courthouse.

Our criminal defense attorneys also represent college students in Tampa charged with DUI, possession of alcohol by a person under 21-year-old (often called “minor in possession”), or other felony or misdemeanor offenses. Special procedural rules apply for allegations of sexual misconduct or relationship violence.

We represent UT students for a felony, misdemeanor, or DUI charge. We also help students who receive a notification letter for an incident review meeting after a complaint of a student conduct code violation.

Many of these cases begin with an investigation by the uniformed Campus Public Safety security supervisor at the University of Tampa. Many of these incidents involve university-owed or university-controlled residence halls including the Vaughn Center (strident housing) located at 200 UT Poe Parkway, Tampa, FL.

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Types of Criminal Accusations Against Students at UT

The most common types of criminal offenses that can lead to an arrest or disciplinary hearing for students at the University of Tampa (UT)  include the following:

• Alcohol Offenses
  • DUI – Driving under the Influence of Alcohol
  • Possession of Alcohol by a Person Under 21 Years Old
  • Disorderly Conduct
  • Public Intoxication
• Drug Offenses
  • DUID – Driving under the Influence of Drugs
  • Possession of Marijuana
  • Possession of Cannabis Sative Resin
  • Possession of Controlled Substances
  • Drug Crimes for the Intent to Sell, Distribution, or Trafficking
• Drug Paraphernalia
• Relationship Violence
  • Dating Violence
  • Domestic Violence
  • Stalking/ Cyberstalking
• Sexual Misconduct
  • Rape
  • Sexual Battery
  • Lewd and Lascivious Contact
• Hazing
• Weapon and Dangerous Objects
  • Improper Exhibition of a Firearm
  • Possession of a Concealed Weapon

Additional Resources

Student Conduct – Rights and Responsibilities at UT – Visit the website of the University of Tampa to learn more about disciplinary actions against students for illegal and illicit drug use or other criminal acts committed on or off campus or student housing. The website explains the procedural safeguards for students facing a disciplinary action after a criminal charge or prosecution for a felony or misdemeanor offense. For students living in the university-owed or university controlled residence halls, including the Vaughn Center located at 200 UT Poe Parkway, Tampa, FL, students are required to agree to a room inspection clause contained in the university’s residential housing agreement. Similar procedures are used for students at USF charged with a crime or academic integrity incident.

This article was last updated on Friday, November 2, 2018.