When Parents May Be Notified After a College Criminal Charge

A criminal charge involving a college student does not automatically mean the student’s parents will be notified. Police, courts, and universities follow different rules, and the answer may depend on the student’s age, the type of allegation, the address on file, and whether a separate university conduct case is involved.

At Terry Hess Law, our crimes on campus attorney can explain the criminal process, a possible Penn State conduct matter, and what information may be disclosed to a parent or guardian.

College Students Usually Control Their Education Records

Once a student attends college, rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) generally belong to the student. Federal regulations allow certain disclosures without the student’s consent. For example, 34 C.F.R. § 99.31 permits qualifying disclosures to parents of a student under 21 involving certain alcohol or controlled-substance violations. A separate provision, 34 C.F.R. § 99.36, permits disclosure of education records in connection with an articulable and significant health or safety emergency.

A Criminal Charge Does Not Automatically Trigger Parent Notification

A criminal charge by itself does not create a general rule requiring Penn State University Police or State College Borough police to call a student’s parents. The situation can differ when the same incident also triggers a university conduct matter. A student may therefore face a Centre County criminal case and a separate Penn State process arising from the same event.

Court Paperwork May Reach a Home Address

A parent may learn about a case because the court mails paperwork to the student’s last known address. In Pennsylvania summary cases, Pa.R.Crim.P. 451 permits citations, summonses, and trial notices to be served personally or by mail to the defendant’s last known address. That address may be a family home, but the rule does not require the court to use a parent’s address.

Penn State May Notify Parents in Certain Conduct Cases

Penn State has a specific parent and family notification policy. For dependent students, the university typically sends a notification when the student accepts responsibility or is found responsible for certain conduct violations, including Substance Use Misconduct when the student is under 21 or an Action Plan involving suspension, expulsion, or loss of housing. Penn State may also disclose information in circumstances permitted by FERPA, including qualifying health or safety emergencies.

The Criminal and University Processes Can Proceed Separately

Parents may hear about an incident through Penn State even when local authorities handle the criminal matter separately. The student may need to respond to both processes, and statements made in one setting can affect decisions in the other. Getting advice before providing information can help the student understand how the two proceedings differ.

Understand What Penn State and the Police May Share

If your child faces a criminal charge, Terry Hess Law can review the situation, explain the differences between the criminal and university processes, and advise the student before they make statements. Submit our online form or call 814-880-4377 to request a confidential case evaluation.