When you are a college student, your entire life is in front of you. You have a few years of school left, and then you have a full career and family life in your future, if that’s what you choose to do. You may feel like there is nothing that can stand between you and your goals for your life, but one common mistake can derail your entire college career, and by extension, your future as well. This could happen if you get a DUI.
A drunk driving offense in Alabama comes with steep penalties. Even if it is your first offense, a conviction could come with consequences that have the potential to change the direction of your entire life. This is why it is essential to defend yourself when facing a DUI, even if it may seem like the simplest approach is to plead guilty and move forward. When your future is at stake, you would be wise to fight back.
Possible consequences
A DUI can affect your life in more ways than you realize. If convicted, you could face time behind bars, loss of your driving privileges, expensive fines and more. However, there are other ways a drunk driving charge can disrupt your life. Other possible consequences include:
- Loss of your scholarships.
- Removal from organizations, such as your sorority.
- Placed on probation or expelled from the school.
- Loss of friends and your personal reputation.
- Unable to apply for higher learning, such as grad school.
- Future employers could refuse to hire someone with a DUI on his or her record.
These are only a few examples of what could happen if convicted of this type of crime. It is in your interests to begin working on a defense strategy as soon as possible after an arrest.
Your future at stake
Thankfully, a conviction or guilty plea is not your only option. With the right defense strategy, you may be able to effectively confront the charges against you and work to defend your interests. With your future on the line, quick action is important. You have the right to a defense and a presumption of innocence, as well as the right to challenge the evidence against you. The best approach for your defense depends on the individual details of your case.
