If you’re a college student—or soon-to-be college student—who’s received a DUI charge, many questions may go through your mind. Will this affect what you can study? What about your financial aid and scholarship opportunities? Especially if this is the first time you’ve faced a DUI charge, it may be helpful to get help to minimize or remove these potential consequences.
One of the best ways to get the help you need is by hiring a lawyer who specializes in DUI charges. They may help to alleviate some of your worries as well as build up a well-constructed case that explains your side of the story effectively. A Naples criminal defense lawyer may be able to guide your next steps if you’re nervous about what you want to do next.
Will I Get Kicked Out of My Florida College if I Get a DUI?
Whether or not you get kicked out of your school or program is going to depend on the policies your college follows as well as some of the specifics of your DUI charge. Because a DUI is a criminal charge, it will likely come up while your school is performing a background check. However, there are some DUI charges that some schools and courses may be willing to overlook, as long as your charge doesn’t violate the college’s Code of Conduct.
Especially if you are only charged with a misdemeanor DUI, you may still be permitted to attend school and complete your studies. However, some programs are less lenient than others. If you’re looking at a course in nursing, medicine, law, or any other field that takes criminal cases more seriously, you may need to change your field of study.
More generally, you may also deal with other changes related to your college career. Some colleges may choose to suspend or expel you, and you might be evicted from your student housing. If you’re a part of any student sports teams or clubs, you may be removed from these as well.
Will a DUI Make Me Lose Financial Aid in Florida?
Nothing in the realm of financial aid can be guaranteed, as you may be able to keep or lose any scholarships or grants you receive for schooling. This will largely depend on the policies of individual grant lenders or scholarship rewarders, as well as on the specifics of your case.
Whether federal or private, there is potential for your financial aid to be suspended. Additionally, any future applications for financial aid may be denied outright. Again, this will depend on the policies financial aid distributors are following and the severity of your charges.
Other Obstacles a Florida DUI Lawyer Can Help You Avoid
In many circumstances, a Florida DUI lawyer may be able to help you reduce or eliminate the consequences you face related to your charges. This means a lawyer might be able to make your college career far easier, despite your unfortunate circumstances. Adverse effects a criminal defense lawyer may be able to help you avoid include the following:
- Fines
- Mandatory drug or alcohol courses
- Time behind bars
- Suspended driver’s license
- Increased insurance premiums
- Employers refuse to hire
- Landlords reject housing application
- Professional organizations reject license applications
- Internship rejections
Not all of the above circumstances are directly related to your charges, but all are affected by your case’s results. For example, future employers, programs, and housing situations may reject you if you lack a clean criminal record. Further, you may need to take on extra jobs to handle fines related to your case, as well as increased car insurance premiums if you must commute to school.
By requesting help from an experienced criminal defense lawyer, you may be able to avoid all of these challenges. This will make your college career far easier to manage, allowing you to focus on your studies and the success you wish to achieve in the future.
Get the Help You Need From a Florida DUI Lawyer With the Law Office of Robert H. Hanaford
If you’re facing a DUI charge, it doesn’t need to end your future or career success. By hiring a criminal defense lawyer from the Law Office of Robert H. Hanaford, you may be able to get the assistance you need to clear your record and keep your life on track. Since 1982, Robert H. Hanaford makes sure clients know he is always available to help, making our firm a trustworthy choice for your defense.
Escape your worries and reach out to the Law Office of Robert H. Hanaford today for a free case consultation. If you’re interested in getting the help you need and deserve, please fill out our contact form or give us a call at (239) 315-9750.
