Getting pulled over by law enforcement is an unnerving experience. This can be especially true when law enforcement officers suspect that drivers have been drinking or otherwise operating their vehicles under the influence of questionable substances.

For most first-time DUI offenders who are not involved in costly or injurious accidents, the consequences resulting from their experiences are relatively minimal. However, when a first-time DUI offender is a college student, the consequences can be more substantial and wide-reaching.

Criminal consequences

If you have been charged with a DUI, your attorney will ideally be able to get the charges dismissed. But in the event that this option is not available in your case, your attorney will hopefully be able to mitigate the criminal consequences associated with your DUI.

The severity of the consequences you could potentially face will generally correspond to the severity of your DUI and any damage resulting from your intoxicated driving. These consequences could include community service, fines, the installation of an ignition interlock device, class attendance, a diversion program and/or jail time. Your attorney will be able to talk you through these potential consequences and the likelihood that any of them will be a bit more extreme than others.

Academic consequences

College students are in a unique position when they experience a run-in with law enforcement. Not only do they face criminal and possible civil consequences as a result of their situation, they also tend to face academic consequences as well.

Each university institutes its own policies regarding criminal wrongdoing. Some universities require students accused of criminal wrongdoing to attend a conduct hearing. During this hearing, a governing body will determine the academic consequences that will be imposed as a result of the student’s situation.

The student may be placed on academic probation, may be asked to leave school temporarily, may be suspended or may face other consequences. If you are facing an academic hearing, an attorney can help to advise you in regards to this hearing as well as your criminal hearings.

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