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Students have a lot to lose from a DUI during graduation season

On Behalf of | Apr 29, 2019 | Drunk Driving |

May might be one of the most important months for many Georgia college students. All the hard work they’ve put in for years is about to pay off as they are only weeks away from putting on their caps and gowns. It’s only a matter of time before a diploma is in their hands.

May is a very celebratory month, but those celebrations can go astray very quickly. Many college campuses often feature large parties for students finally wrapping up their degrees which typically feature an abundance of alcohol. Even though high school students are usually warned more about drinking at parties around this time of year, university students should be just as fearful about a DUI charge as they have a lot more to lose.

Possible expulsion

Whether or not the college expels you varies on their code of conduct. You chose to sign the papers and follow their rules when you enrolled, so they will hold it against you if you receive a DUI conviction. Some colleges still allow you to participate for just one DUI, but most are far less forgiving if you become a repeat offender. They will not hesitate to expel you even if you have mere days before you receive your diploma.

Withholding the diploma

Even if you manage to stay in college after the conviction, you still might have some obstacles in your way before acquiring your diploma. A DUI can cost a student their scholarships that helped them afford their education in the first place. If you don’t pay your debts to the college in time, they can withhold your transcript, which many employers need to see before they hire you. Combine this with your DUI fines and the increasing costs of student loans, and you’ll find yourself in a difficult financial situation that will take a long time to recover from.

No graduate school

If the job you want requires further studying, a DUI can push back your potential master’s degree. Graduate schools in Georgia will ask for any past criminal activities on their applications, and a DUI conviction could lead to many rejecting you. Those hoping to become doctors or professors within the next decade would have to wait for several years.

All it takes is one DUI conviction to ruin any plans you had for after your graduation. It’s important to contact a criminal defense attorney if you face wrongful accusations.