Must Read for Teens & Parents of Teens

In this blog series I discuss the legal, financial, and career implications of getting a DUI as a minor.

DUI & College

If you are a high school senior who has already been accepted by a college when you get a DUI, consider yourself lucky; colleges usually won't worry about a student's DUI charge or conviction unless he or she is actually enrolled. Likewise, a high school DUI shouldn't affect your chance of getting into college, and may even make a compelling application essay. Many colleges ask for criminal history, so it's likely they will know. If you are arrested right before you start college, you may be required to tell your school. Things change radically once you are in college or even just on campus.

One student's story:

"Last June I went to Athens to attend Freshman Orientation. Orientation was fun, but the after party was much more fun. I drank way too much; the campus cops charged me with underage consumption of alcohol and public urination. Of course the campus police notified campus officials who decided that they didn't want me to attend UGA after all. They actually revoked my admission. Now I have to start the application process all over again and wait an entire year before I can start school at a good college."

But how does the University find out about your arrest? You have to tell them. Yes, as an adult over the age of 18 you don't have to tell your parents if you are arrested, but you are required by UGA to report any arrest within 3 days.

All colleges have substance abuse and underage drinking policies. These vary from college to college, but the penalties are harsh. For instance, if you go to any school in the University of Georgia system and are charged with a DUI, you can be suspended. You don't even have to be convicted-- just charged. Statute 406.02 VIOLATIONS OF STATE OR FEDERAL LAW says "A student in any institution of the University System of Georgia who is charged with or indicted for a felony or crime involving moral turpitude, may be suspended pending the disposition of the criminal charges against him."

If this is your first DUI and you haven't been in trouble for drugs or alcohol at college before, you will have to take an "Alcohol and Other Drug" awareness class and be on probation for twelve months. Your second offense will result in suspension for the current semester and 1 subsequent semester. Your prior record will be affect sanctions, so that high school DUI could come back to haunt you if you are caught drinking on campus.

Students who are suspended from the University for any length of time can lose tuition, residence hall costs and fees, student financial aid, athletic participation and eligibility, immigration status for international students, internships, assistantships, and study abroad eligibility, just to name a few.

If you have a HOPE scholarship, you will lose it for two terms if you are convicted of a felony drug offense: both for the school term in which the conviction occurred as well as the following term. No early reinstatement is allowed. If you receive a federal scholarship and you are convicted of ANY drug offense, including a State misdemeanor marijuana charge, you will lose your scholarship for at least one year, and you could lose it permanently. Early reinstatement is possible if certain criteria are satisfied.

See also:

Under 21 & DUI

Under 21 & DUI & Careers & Military Careers

Under 21 & DUI & Money

How a drug or DUI conviction can ruin your university career

Atlanta DUI Lawyers Clark & Towne

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