A driving under the influence (DUI) charge can be a major setback. Also known as operating while intoxicated (OWI) charges or driving while impaired (DWI) charges, convictions for DUI offenses can lead to an assortment of different penalties.
Judges can put people in jail or order them to submit to court monitoring via probation. They can order people to pay large fines and suspend their driver’s licenses. Another consequence that young adults and their parents may initially overlook is the impact a DUI can have on college education opportunities. Impaired driving charges can cause numerous challenges for people hoping to pursue higher education.
Colleges have student standards
Most colleges and universities maintain codes of conduct for their students. Current and prospective students must agree to conform to those standards to secure enrollment at the school. The school can take disciplinary action in cases where students do not meet established standards.
Some schools have zero-tolerance rules for any convictions that occur during enrollment. They may suspend or expel students who break the law while attending the school. Criminal background checks are often part of the enrollment process. Schools may decline to enroll those with a drunk driving offense on their record. Other times, they may extend enrollment opportunities but may not offer any sort of private financial aid.
Financial aid can be at risk
Most college students require grants, subsidized loans and scholarships to attend school. The good news for those with a DUI conviction is that criminal records no longer typically have permanent consequences for federal student aid.
After serving any incarceration sentence, those with a DUI on their record can potentially qualify for federal student aid. However, many private organizations still maintain rules allowing them to deny financial aid to those with criminal records and recipients who get convicted after accepting a scholarship.
Career consequences may last indefinitely
Even after a college student graduates, a drunk driving conviction could continue to affect their opportunities. Many employers conduct background checks before offering a job to a new worker. In fact, many businesses perform background checks on existing employees when considering them for advancement opportunities. A guilty plea to a DUI years before can limit someone’s options when looking for gainful employment.
The best way to avoid such penalties is to defend successfully against DUI charges. Those who avoid criminal convictions do not have to worry about a criminal record or any penalties imposed by the courts. Learning more about how criminal charges can affect a defendant’s life can inspire people to respond appropriately. Otherwise, a seemingly minor drunk driving charge could have consequences that last for years.