Everyone makes mistakes. One misjudgment regarding alcohol consumption should not decide your child’s academic fate. Find out what to do if your college student gets a DUI in Georgia and how an attorney can help with their driving under the influence case.
How Common Are DUIs Among Georgia College Students?
Accidents don’t need to happen for your teen to face serious consequences. A DUI conviction, alone, can cause criminal, administrative, and campus disciplinary repercussions.
In 2023, 27% of all the fatal crashes that occurred in the Peach State involved intoxicated drivers. Nationwide, alcohol-related crashes account for the majority of drinking-related deaths among college students. Fatal incidents are just the most severe of a range of potential negative consequences associated with driving under the influence. In 2023, 809 severe injuries resulted from confirmed or suspected alcohol use while driving.
Understanding Georgia DUI Laws for College Students
DUIs in Georgia are handled under Georgia Code 40-6-391. While this statute sets the maximum blood alcohol content (BAC) at 0.08% for adults over the age of 21, it has stricter stipulations regarding driving under the influence for those not of legal drinking age. If your under-21 college student is caught driving with a BAC of 0.02% or higher, they could face an underage DUI charge.
College Student Criminal DUI Penalties
The criminal penalties for underage DUI can be substantial. Your child could face:
- Between 10 days and 12 months in jail
- A fine of $300 to $1,000
- At least 40 hours of community service
Your college student may also have to complete a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program, submit to a clinical evaluation, and complete a substance abuse treatment program. These requirements may also be relevant in cases involving Drug Crime, Drug Manufacturing, or Drug Trafficking. Penalties for subsequent DUIs only get worse in Georgia.
Additional Consequences
Your college student could face additional consequences in addition to jail time, fines, and community service. They could lose their license for at least six months with no hardship permit available. If their BAC was above 0.08%, they could lose their license for a year with no limited permit available.
Academic disciplinary actions could also be taken. Most schools enforce strict student codes of conduct that include on- and off-campus alcohol or drug use. Your child could face:
- Academic probation
- Suspension
- Expulsion
- Loss of campus housing
- Loss of scholarships or financial aid
Helping your child construct an effective defense against the criminal charges is the most effective way to prevent collateral academic consequences. While the burden of proof tends to be lower in academic disciplinary settings than it is in a court of law, which means a college student could still face consequences even if not convicted of a DUI, it can still be beneficial to seek an acquittal with the assistance of a DUI lawyer.
Hire a Top Rated DUI Lawyer Today
If your college-aged student is facing DUI charges, you should hire a DUI lawyer to defend them right away. The team at the Law Offices of Adam M. Cain, LLC, is here to help. Attorney Adam Cain has over 20 years of experience, and in that time, he has handled countless DUI cases for clients of all ages, including many college students. Our team understands what’s on the line. Let us help your family in your time of need. Contact us to schedule a consultation today.
