When you face a DUI charge, you may feel tempted to treat it lightly. This is especially true if you are looking at your first offense. But even a first time offense can net you some serious penalties, especially when it comes to DUI crimes.
In fact, your entire college career may suffer if you end up convicted of a DUI crime. But in what way does this happen?
Financial penalties
The College Investor believes a DUI has the potential to ruin your college career. First, a college board can decide to expel you due to DUI criminal convictions. This is somewhat rare, but it has happened before, even to first-time offenders. Largely, this penalty goes to individuals who have compounded convictions. An example may be someone convicted of DUI who also injured a passenger.
Even if they do not expel you, they will likely strip you of any financial awards or support. This can make attending college impossible. If that was not enough, they may also ban you from using on-campus housing. This means you must pay for off-campus housing, which often do not give students a price break. Again, this could price you out of attendance.
Loss of job opportunity
Finally, a DUI on record closes the door to many potential job opportunities. You cannot work in government fields or with children if you have a DUI. You also cannot do any work that involves needing a commercial driver’s license. Some employers in other fields may discriminate against you for your criminal record. This happens despite legal protections.
If you are facing a DUI charge, you want to take it seriously from the start. For that reason, you may wish to consider seeking the aid of a legal expert to help you through your case.
