A DUI conviction can severely impact your life. Even if you don’t go to prison, you may face severe penalties such as mandatory alcohol counseling, community service, and other restrictions. In many cases, you’ll have to pay fines and court costs. These fees can add up over time, costing thousands of dollars.
Being arrested for driving under the influence can ruin your college career. If you or someone you love has been charged with a DUI, you should seek legal counsel immediately. The consequences of a conviction can include jail time, fines, license suspension, probation, community service, and even deportation.
College Admission with a DUI
While some schools accept students with criminal records, there are exceptions. Some colleges may allow applicants to apply even though they’ve been convicted of a crime, while others won’t let you in at all unless you complete an alcohol counseling program.
The decision whether or not to accept you into school depends on several factors, such as the number of times you’ve been charged with DUI and the type of offense. For example, a DUI arrest where no one was injured or killed may not warrant denial of admission. However, if someone died because of your actions, the situation becomes much different.
DUI Affects Financial Aid and Scholarships
A DUI conviction might not prevent you from attending college, but it does mean that you won’t qualify for many financial aid opportunities. Federal student loans require students to maintain good academic standing. Having a DUI on your record could make you ineligible. You’ll also lose eligibility for some grants and scholarships.
If the DUI occurs while you’re already enrolled in school, your financial aid may be terminated. Private scholarships may take into account your criminal record as well.
Eviction from Student Housing
In addition to the loss of financial aid, a criminal conviction could cause you to lose your student housing. This may mean that you need to move off campus into an apartment or with a nearby relative. If you’re under the age of 21, having a DUI conviction could be used as evidence of underage drinking and going against dorm rules.
Dismissal From School
Many colleges have Codes of Conduct that you must agree to when attending the school. If the school finds out about your DUI charges or convictions, you may be dismissed from school and no longer eligible to attend. This can make it difficult for another school to accept you, as your new school will request transcripts from your current school. The school’s admission officers will see that you were kicked out.
Limit Your Future Employment Opportunities
Being convicted of a crime can affect your future employment opportunities. In addition, employers often conduct criminal background checks before hiring new employees. This means that a DUI arrest could prevent you from being hired.
Contact a New Hampshire DUI Lawyer
If you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence, you’ll want to know what to do next. This includes finding a lawyer and learning how to navigate the court system. A DUI conviction can lead to serious consequences, including jail time, fines, probation, driver’s license suspension, and even loss of your job.
You don’t have to go it alone. The experienced New Hampshire drunk driving defense lawyers at Hayes can help you fight against the charges. They are familiar with the laws and procedures involved in DUI cases, and they understand the penalties associated with each offense. A good DUI lawyer will work hard to keep your record clean and avoid a criminal conviction. He or she will also make sure that you receive the best possible treatment while you wait for the case to play out in court. Call Hayes at 978-314-4950 or by using our online contact form.
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