Your child is a freshman in college, and they call you one weekend with bad news. They were arrested and given a DUI. They had been consuming alcohol at a college party, and they were pulled over while they drove back to campus.
You know that they are already going to face some criminal penalties, which is why it’s important to know what defense options there are. Your child could lose their driver’s license, pay fines and fees or even spend time in jail. Generally, the legal penalties get more severe for subsequent arrests, so they will be the least severe for a first-time DUI.
But what you’re really worried about is your child’s long-term future. They’ve worked hard to get into college and their career depends on it. Are they going to get expelled?
It is unlikely, but it could happen
Typically, colleges will have a code of conduct that students have to follow. Students who break this code of conduct – which often includes not breaking the law – can technically be expelled. They may need to go before the college board.
But many college students do get DUIs, so it is unlikely that your child will be expelled entirely – at least for a first offense. That said, there could still be other ramifications. If they play sports, they could lose their spot on a team. If they’re on a scholarship, the school could decide to pull that scholarship. So, a DUI certainly can impact their future in this way.
People make mistakes. Don’t let one mistake define the rest of your child’s life. Look into all potential legal options.