I am a freshman in college, last night my roomate and i recieved citations from the police for possessing alcohol in our room. I had not been drinking, I was not breathalized, and i had no idea he had snuck a bottle of whiskey into our room. But with the school's zero tolerance policy i was also issued a citation for possesing alcohol and being underage. I dont drink and never have, i was not breathalized, i had no idea he brought it in our room. This is insane that i would be fined for just for living with an idiot. I don't come from a very well-off family and have only one way to pay the fines. I am going to be forced to sell my bow. I have been a bowhunter since age 12 and would be heart-broken to loose my bow. I am so angry with him, the school, and the police. I didnt do anything wrong-and its going to cost me my bow. Any advice would be appreciated.

You should go seek legal advice from lawyer. They will help you. Most colleges have place with legal aid. If your are inocent its your right to fight. I work for large school district and understand zero tolerance policy and dont agree, if you defend yourself you still get suspended for fighting if throw a punch. Not fair.

dose your colledge have a law school? if so you might inquire there and it might not cost you anything to be represented. sounds like they have no evidence. wrong place wrong time. what dose your roomate have to say?
the bad thing is most colleges require you to stay in the dorm for at least a couple of semesters and they pick who you stay with, then, this happens and you have a strike against you.
the zero tolerence is BS.

Jerry, is your roommate man enough to step foward and take the full responsibility for the alcohol? If he will do this and tell them that you had no knowledge of it being in the dorm, then they should let it go with nothing more than a warning for you. They surely can't expect you to follow his every actions to know what he is bringing in the dorm. Was it in his things, or in a community place?

The best of luck in all your hunting endeavors!!!

God Bless,
Dave

Jerry, I'm a lawyer in Arkansas. Email me at [email protected]. Maybe I can help point you in the right direction.

After spending all day with the campus police and our building superintendent i was able to have the charges dropped. I finally talked my roomate in to confessing and telling them the truth. The cops and the building superintendent all apologized to me and were very nice about it. I am really excited i get to keep my bow, but i still have to live with this jack-ass. Thanks for the offer though Kgkoon good hunting to you.

I really like a story with a happy ending, especially for a fellow hunter.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club

That's great news Jerry. Good luck hunting this year!

Amen to that Taz and Kg. Jerry, glad to hear that all turned out well for you.

The best of luck in all your hunting endeavors!!!

God Bless,
Dave