How A DUI Can Affect College Acceptance
Everyone makes mistakes now and then. Some missteps just have more impact on life than others. For example, convictions for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) may not just result in a limited ability for a person to drive because of a suspended license, but also expensive fines, and even potentially jail time. There are other life implications this offense can have. For young adults preparing to enter college, a DUI could impair this prospect.
It is critical that after a DUI arrest in Georgia, that effective and skilled legal counsel is secured. The DeKalb DUI lawyers at Hawkins Spizman Trial Lawyers can help you fight your charges by developing a strategic and focused defense to improve the chances of obtaining the best possible outcome for your case.
College Acceptance and DUI Conviction
There are several things that colleges and universities will look at when they consider their acceptance pool. Students vying to get into the best colleges or the institutions of their personal choice work hard to keep their grades up, stay involved in extracurricular activities, prepare for the SAT, gather reference letters, and more. Yet even when a student has all of the necessary boxes checked, one mistake can change the course of their future.
Underage drinking in the United States is a very real and widespread problem. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, in 2019, almost 25% of teenagers aged 14 to 15 said they have had one alcoholic beverage. Also that year, more than seven million young people aged 12 to 20 said that in the past month, they had much more than just a couple of sips of an alcoholic beverage.
Alcohol is prevalent and in many cases easily accessible to young people. As a result, even the most responsible child can make a bad decision just one time that will have far-reaching negative implications for their life. If a young person gets behind the wheel with alcohol in their system and they are pulled over, they will be arrested.
Some colleges may not consider the DUI if the child has excellent credentials. This tends to be true for colleges that do not conduct background checks for prospective students. But for those that do, and there are many, a DUI conviction in Georgia can mean any of the following with regard to college acceptance:
- The application may be rejected from the schools of choice.
- When space is limited, a DUI may weigh down the applicant when compared to others with the same resume who do not have a criminal history.
Speak to an Atlanta Underage DUI Defense Attorney Today
If you have been arrested for a DUI or you have a conviction for a DUI in Atlanta on your record, this could be a problem when it comes to getting into college. It is best to connect with an Atlanta underage DUI defense attorney to discuss your situation and get the legal counsel you need to understand your options. For more information or to schedule a free, initial consultation with a DeKalb County underage DUI defense lawyer at Hawkins Spizman, please call 770-685-6400.
Our law firm represents Georgia including Atlanta, Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Cobb County, Fulton County, Gwinnett County, Johns Creek, and Sandy Springs.
