Drinking and driving is a serious criminal offense that can bring significant penalties if convicted. Even a first-time offense can lead to consequences that can impact many areas of a person’s life. The penalties and consequences of a DUI can be just as impactful for a person under the age of 21.
If you are an underage college student in Georgia and face charges related to drinking and driving, you would be wise to take decisive action to protect your interests. There is much at stake, yet with the right help, it can be possible to effectively confront these charges.
Georgia college students and DUI
Georgia laws are severe for individuals convicted of underage drinking and driving. Additionally, the permissible BAC levels for underage drivers are lower than for people over the age of 21, which means that you could face significant legal penalties, even if you just have one drink.
As a college student facing drinking and driving charges, you may find it beneficial to understand what could happen if convicted of this type of crime. Some of the consequences of a conviction include the following:
- A mark on your criminal record that could follow you for a significant portion of your adult life
- Affect your ability to get into graduate schools, your eligibility for scholarships and your ability to participate in certain student programs
- The temporary loss of your driving privileges and expensive fines
- Increased car insurance premiums
- Damage to your personal reputation
When you are in college, your entire future is ahead of you. Your long-term interests are always worth fighting for, no matter the circumstances of your situation. Instead of making assumptions about your case or your legal options, you would be wise to take quick action to understand how to defend yourself.
What to do when your future is on the line
There is a lot on the line, but you do not have to face it alone. It is prudent to work quickly and decisively to protect yourself, and you can start by seeking a complete evaluation of your case.
One mistake does not have to define the course of your adult life. While drunk driving charges are serious, even overwhelming, there are ways to protect yourself, potentially mitigate the penalties you are facing and shield your future from further damage.