Expert: Jason Grabill - 2/6/2006

Question
Jason Grabill,

Hello, My name is Andrew Meier, and I have another question for you. I will be graduating June and then attending the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire to gain a degree in criminal justice well finishing up my spanish and martial arts training in hopes of getting a job in the law enforcment career. I am aware that to become an officer one must go through extensive background checks, and so this has brought up a question in my mind.

First and foremost, I am not a drug user in any way, shape or form. Dont much see the point myself in screwing over my athletics in the short term and my life in the long term. I am however, going to be going to college and I'm not going to pretend that there wont be a bunch of people who are getting high off something every chance they can get. There always seems to be a some in college. I also assume, that there will be alcohol at a good deal of college parties.

Now, I'm a social guy. So I'm sure I will be at a few of these parties, and my question deals with them in a way. If a college party involving underage drinking is busted by the police, with myself not drinking any of the stuff, using any drugs or anything of the sort, Will I still get in a fair amount of trouble? I'm geussing I probably would, but im curious as to how much. Also curious as to say (dont know if you would have the answer to this last one) if my dorm mate is found to have an illegal drug of which I had not used, would I face charges for that as well?

I dont like drugs, and am pretty open in my views to people who do them, but at the same time I'm not one to 'tell on them' if they are doing something, its their life, they can screw it up as they want.

Just curious if you had some answers, any help is appreciated
-Andrew

Answer
Andrew:

  Sorry for the delay.  I'll try and answer to the best of my ability, but some of this will be totally up to a hiring board;  in other words, you may be totally innocent of any wrongdoing, but if it looks like a "character" type issue (you were around drug use and basically didn't report it, or didn't leave) then it becomes very subjective.  

If a college party involving underage drinking is busted by the police, with myself not drinking any of the stuff, using any drugs or anything of the sort, Will I still get in a fair amount of trouble?

Probably not legally, but there is this thing called "Moral Turpitude" that departments can, and do, use to exclude applicants.  Basically, it boils down to the situation, but the thought is, if you are playing with hogs, you are gonna get muddy.  

If a dorm mate is found with CDS, in a room you share, yes, you could be charged with possession, unless it was hidden in such a way that would preclude you from ever knowing.  Claiming you didn't know about it may get you off in court, but see the above paragraph.  It will raise questions.

Good luck,

Jason