Tens of thousands of students attend the University of Georgia. The school boasts both graduate and undergraduate programs that help prepare aspiring professionals for their future careers. College is a time of studying, as well as a time of socialization.
Many college students attend their first adult parties while enrolled. They may also start experimenting with alcohol, possibly even before they are technically old enough to legally drink. A handful of students every year get arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) offenses while enrolled in college.
What risks do University of Georgia students need to address when they’re facing DUI charges?
Criminal penalties
The criminal sentence handed down by the courts can directly influence a student’s educational prospects. The penalties depend on the age of the student, their prior record and other details, such as whether they hurt someone else by causing a crash. Although incarceration beyond the mandatory 24-hour minimum isn’t always part of the sentence, especially for a first-time offender, probation and other penalties are likely. A student could also lose their driver’s license.
Financial aid challenges
Those convicted of crimes generally need to report their convictions when filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Thankfully, rules at the federal level are more lenient now than they were in the past. Those who already have aid that they receive from the school itself could be at risk of losing that aid. Private scholarship organizations also frequently have rules limiting opportunities for those with criminal records.
Administrative penalties
Any enrolled student convicted of a crime while attending college could face discipline from the University of Georgia. At disciplinary hearings, they could be subject to penalties ranging from expulsion to exclusion from clubs and extracurricular activities. Those consequences can affect their future prospects and ability to network with their peers.
A criminal record
Criminal records don’t just affect school enrollment and financial aid opportunities. A DUI conviction acquired during college turns up whenever prospective employers perform background checks. Young professionals may struggle to secure even entry-level positions when they have a DUI conviction on their record.
College students accused of drunk driving often require support as they prepare to go to trial or to attend disciplinary hearings on campus. They generally have a right to legal representation in both scenarios. Students who have support from an attorney, and possibly also their families, have the best chances of minimizing the fallout of a DUI charge.