April 21 marks the first fest of Spring Quarter — High Fest.
The weeks that follow will surely be filled with media stories about underage drinking, binge drinking and parties that got out of control.
Students will brag, “This is why we are No. 1!” and visitors from neighboring schools will realize there is no comparison to Ohio University fests.
Despite all the fun, some students will make decisions that they later regret. These bad decisions are examples of why it is important to know how to stay safe and legal.
Simple steps like checking for IDs at your party, avoiding public areas like the sidewalks and streets with an open container of alcohol, knowing when you should cut back on the booze and drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help keep you safer.
If you do have a brush in with the law, wouldn’t it be better to have an attorney ready to assist you? The attorneys at The Center for Student Legal Services are here to help students if they need legal assistance.
If you are enrolled in the services you already know that CSLS assists with criminal cases, especially alcohol related misdemeanors and minor drug violations.
It’s a little easier to relax and have fun during the spring fest season if you educate yourself about your legal rights and responsibilities. Also, the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have an advocate if you run into legal trouble is worth paying the $8.00 fee for legal services.
If you haven’t looked into the services that CSLS provides, check out the new website at studentlegalrights.org or visit the office at 50 S. Court Street, Suite D (above the College Bookstore).
Students who have accidentally waived their fee or change their mind about being enrolled have until April 16th to re-enroll. See the fee section of the website for details about re-enrollment.
While you’re on the website, “like” CSLS on Facebook and check out the Downloads section for many useful fliers and literature on how to stay legal during fest season!
Kari Nickell is a junior studying public relations and is the public relations intern for the Center for Student Legal Services.
