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Will college students face expulsion for a first-time DUI?

On Behalf of | Feb 2, 2023 | DUI/DWI

A first DUI offense is often the result of a small mistake or a momentary lapse in awareness. Even so, a young adult who faces a DUI charge faces the uncertainty of how a conviction might affect their education and their overall future.

College students and parents can take the best steps forward by understanding how educational institutions will react to a first-time DUI offense. Knowing the severity of the charges at hand can inform the right course of action in protecting the future of a student’s education.

How will a first-time DUI affect a student’s college career?

Each college and university has its own policies and processes it will follow when a student stands accused of criminal behavior. The standard procedure often entails attending an informational meeting with college administration where discussions will take place regarding the criminal allegations and the consequences the student can expect. However, it is not typical for an institution to expel a student for a first-time DUI unless there are aggravating circumstances.

What are the other consequences of a first-time DUI?

The New York State DMV explains that a first DUI offense is a misdemeanor. This means that in addition to any consequences enforced by a student’s college regarding their education, there are also penalties handed down by the state. These may include a fine of up to $1,000, up to one year in prison and revocation or suspension of one’s driver’s license.

Expulsion from an academic institution is not a common result for a first-time DUI tried as a misdemeanor. Even so, it is important for students facing DUI charges to build the strongest criminal defense possible so as to protect their reputations and their freedoms.