Connecticut Student Arrest Lawyer | Fake IDs, Shoplifting, and DUIs

Every semester, I get calls from parents and students across Connecticut: a night out at Yale ends in handcuffs, a fake ID gets flagged at a Stamford bar, or a dorm party at Fairfield University or Sacred Heart gets out of control and results in an arrest.

Whether it’s Yale, UConn Stamford, Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart, Fairfield, or another Connecticut college, one mistake or misunderstanding can suddenly put a student’s entire future on the line. Criminal charges don’t just mean fines or probation — they can affect internships, graduate school admission, job opportunities, and professional licenses.

The good news is that many of these cases can be defended, reduced, or dismissed with the right lawyer in your corner.

• Underage drinking and possession of alcohol by a minor
• Fake IDs to buy alcohol or get into clubs and bars — common at UConn Stamford, New Haven, and Fairfield nightlife spots
• DUI/DWI charges after campus parties or nights out

• Drug, cocaine, or pill possession
• Sharing or selling small amounts to friends that gets exaggerated into “distribution” by police

• Fights after sporting events or frat parties
• Sexual assault allegations that can trigger Title IX investigations at schools like Quinnipiac or Yale, alongside a criminal case in Superior Court
• Disorderly conduct — one of the most common charges I see for college students

• Shoplifting at places like Stamford Town Center or local convenience stores
• Vandalism or dorm damage
• Trespassing, often connected to student pranks

• Sexting, social media harassment, cyberbullying
• Unauthorized computer use (even “borrowing” a roommate’s password can result in a charge)

Student cases almost always involve two tracks:

1. Criminal charges in Superior Court (Stamford, Bridgeport, New Haven, or wherever the arrest occurred).
2. School disciplinary hearings run by campus administrators under student conduct codes or Title IX.

For example, a student at Yale or another New Haven-area college arrested by campus or city police will go to New Haven Superior Court, while a UConn Stamford student arrested downtown will go to Stamford Superior Court. The school will also run its own process that can result in probation, suspension, or expulsion.

The overlap between these two processes is where students often make mistakes. Saying the wrong thing in a disciplinary hearing can hurt you in court, and vice versa.

When I defend students, my focus is always on protecting their record and their future. Strategies include:

• Highlighting a clean prior record and strong academic standing
• Using diversionary programs like Accelerated Rehabilitation (AR), the Pretrial Alcohol Education Program, or the Drug Education Program to wipe out charges
• Negotiating conditional dismissals — for example, community service or counseling in exchange for dropping the case
• Aggressively contesting charges when the facts are weak or exaggerated, especially in “he said/she said” situations
• Minimizing disruption to education by arranging virtual court appearances through Microsoft Teams whenever possible, so students don’t have to miss classes or travel long distances from out of town

One of my clients — a college student from UConn Stamford — was arrested at a downtown Stamford nightclub after using a fake ID and getting into a disturbance with another patron. He was charged with multiple offenses, including forgery for the fake ID.

Because he retained me immediately, I was able to get him admitted into the Accelerated Rehabilitation Program. After six months, all the charges were dismissed. His record was erased, and his future career prospects were not harmed.

This case shows how early intervention and the right program can keep a youthful mistake from becoming a lifelong burden.

The sooner a lawyer gets involved, the more options are on the table. Early intervention can:

• Convince prosecutors to drop or reduce charges
• Protect you from making self-incriminating statements at school hearings
• Preserve eligibility for diversionary programs
• Limit the fallout for scholarships, financial aid, and athletics

I’ve seen firsthand that a quick response often means the difference between a student moving on with their education versus fighting a criminal record for years.

One of the biggest advantages for students with no prior record is Connecticut’s diversionary programs. These programs allow first-time offenders to avoid a conviction by completing court-ordered conditions. Once completed, the case is dismissed and erased.

• Accelerated Rehabilitation (AR): Available for many misdemeanors and some felonies. If granted, the case is placed on hold for a probationary period (usually 6–12 months). If the student stays out of trouble and completes any required conditions, the case is dismissed and wiped off their record.
• Pretrial Alcohol Education Program: Often used for first-time DUI arrests. Students may need to attend alcohol education classes, substance abuse treatment, or perform community service. Completion leads to dismissal of the DUI charge.
• Drug Education and Community Service Program: Designed for students charged with drug possession. Involves attending drug education classes and performing community service. Successful completion results in dismissal.

These programs are not automatic. A skilled lawyer is essential to prepare the strongest application, highlight the student’s clean record and academic promise, and persuade the court to grant entry.

Every Superior Court has its own culture, prosecutors, and judges. As a lawyer who regularly practices in Stamford, Bridgeport, and New Haven, I know how these courts operate and what arguments tend to resonate.

• In Stamford Superior Court, I routinely handle fake ID, shoplifting, and nightclub-related arrests involving UConn Stamford students.
• In Bridgeport Superior Court, I represent many students from Sacred Heart and Fairfield University facing DUI, assault, or disorderly conduct charges.
• In New Haven Superior Court, I defend Yale and Quinnipiac students in cases that often involve both criminal charges and parallel Title IX proceedings.

That local experience matters. Parents and students often feel overwhelmed after an arrest, and knowing that your lawyer has handled dozens of similar cases in the same courthouse provides peace of mind.

Most of the time, it’s the parents who call me first. I understand how frightening it is to hear your child has been arrested, especially when they’re away at school. My approach is to work closely with both the student and the parents:

• Keeping parents informed at every step while protecting the student’s privacy
• Explaining court procedures in plain English so families know what to expect
• Making sure parents understand financial aid, scholarship, and academic consequences
• Taking steps to minimize disruption to education, including arranging remote appearances when possible

My goal is to protect not only the student’s legal record, but also their educational path and future opportunities.

Yes. Even misdemeanors show up on background checks. Law schools, medical schools, and many employers screen applicants.

It depends on the campus: Yale and New Haven-area students go to New Haven Superior Court; UConn Stamford students go to Stamford Superior Court; Fairfield, Quinnipiac, and Sacred Heart students often appear in Bridgeport Superior Court.

Programs like Accelerated Rehabilitation (AR), Alcohol Education, and Drug Education allow eligible first-time offenders to earn a dismissal after completing conditions.

Schools run their own disciplinary processes in parallel with criminal cases. What’s said in one process can be used in the other, so legal advice is critical.

Yes. I work closely with parents, especially when students are overwhelmed or out-of-state.

Absolutely. Many of my student clients come from New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and beyond.

These cases carry life-changing consequences and require aggressive defense from day one — both in court and at the university level.

Failing to appear can result in a warrant, escalating the situation quickly.

In Connecticut, lawyers cannot appear in place of a student for criminal cases. However, in many situations I can arrange for students to attend their hearings virtually via Microsoft Teams, which helps them avoid missing classes or traveling long distances if they live out of town.

Fake ID cases are extremely common for students. Depending on the circumstances, I can often negotiate entry into the Accelerated Rehabilitation Program or another diversionary program, which results in the charges being dismissed and erased. This keeps the student’s reputation and career opportunities intact.

DUI is one of the most common student arrests in Connecticut. Even a first offense can lead to license suspension, fines, and a criminal record. In many cases, I can help students enter the Pretrial Alcohol Education Program, which can result in dismissal of the charges and prevent a long-term impact on their future.

Yes, DUI arrests in Connecticut often trigger DMV notifications to the student’s home state, which can affect their license back home.

Yes. Non-citizen students, including those here on visas, may face immigration consequences if convicted. That makes dismissal or entry into diversionary programs critical.

Yes. Even if a diversionary program isn’t granted, Connecticut law allows certain convictions to be erased later through pardons or Clean Slate relief.

In Connecticut, it’s up to the state — not the complainant — to decide whether to prosecute. A lawyer can still use the alleged victim’s position to negotiate a dismissal, but the prosecutor makes the final decision.

A student arrest doesn’t have to define your life. With the right defense, charges can often be dismissed or erased, leaving you free to move forward.

📞 Call Allan F. Friedman, Criminal Lawyer, at (203) 357-5555 or use my contact page for immediate help.