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Purdue offering Student Legal Services

Purdue’s undergraduates will have a new resource beginning September 3. The university has hired its first director of Student Legal Services.

Jeff Stefancic, associate dean of students, says the position will help students with common legal issues.

“Really helping students understand what their rights and responsibilities are under the law,” he says.

Stefancic says he wants this position to be proactive with talks to student organizations and groups of individuals.

Tippecanoe County deputy public defender Leslie Charters is the inaugural director. She calls it her dream job.

“I felt I would be a great fit for the job, because I would be able to tell students, especially in the criminal law, what their rights are and how to maneuver through the criminal justice system.”

She begins at Purdue September 3rd. Charters will not be representing students in court, but may refer them to attorneys in the community. Her focus will be on legal advice and education on such things as tenant-landlord issues, alcohol related offenses and small claims matters.

“The courthouse is confusing. There’s a lot of documentation that they need before they go to court, and there’s just a lot of information they need to know,” Charters says. “I just want to make sure students understand the decisions they make in college really will impact them in their futures.”

The service is available only to undergraduates, because their student fees are funding the position for at least three years. However, Stefancic says graduate students may see the value in funding such a position too.