Can a DUI/DWI Charge Ruin a College Student’s Future?

September 27, 2023

Experienced legal representation is crucial for college students charged with a DUI/DWI. Being away from home for the first time, many college students are eager to party with their new friends. Local law enforcement and campus police are on the alert for students who may have imbibed too enthusiastically. If a student makes the mistake of getting behind the wheel to go home, they may be charged with DUI. A severe DUI conviction could result in hefty fines, jail time, and license suspension. A conviction stays on your record and could jeopardize scholarships, housing, participation on sports teams, and future job or graduate school applications, severely impacting your life. Therefore, you should try to fight the charges to get them reduced or dismissed.

Not every DUI charge has to result in a permanent black mark on your record. A skilled lawyer can help defend DUI charges by challenging the evidence against you and the process by which it was obtained. They will investigate the circumstances of the charges and build a case to support either outright dismissal of a DUI or reduction to something less serious. Some of the ways to fight DUI charges include:

• Probable cause defense: The police must have sufficient grounds, or probable cause, to arrest you for a DUI.
• Breathalyzer defense: The device’s accuracy may be disputed if you were asked to use a portable device for a breath test.
• Unlawful stop defense: The officer that charged you must have jurisdiction over you for the stop to be lawful.

Other factors could be used in your defense, such as health issues that mimic symptoms of DUI, like diabetes and epilepsy. Acid reflux conditions can also skew breathalyzer test results. That is why contacting an attorney immediately is vital if you are a college student facing a DUI charge.

Contact a West Chester Criminal Defense Lawyer at the Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes for Help Defending a DUI Charge

College students charged with a DUI have their future on the line if convicted. The Law Offices of Heather J. Mattes has the experience you need to defend yourself. Call 610-431-7900 today or complete our online form to schedule a free and confidential consultation with a West Chester criminal defense lawyer. Located in Wester Chester, Pennsylvania, we represent clients in Chester County, Bucks County, Delaware County, Lehigh County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia County.