You may think that drinking is part of the college culture. However, heavy drinking may result in DUI charges, as well as other criminal charges. It is important for you to understand the consequences that may follow a night out drinking.
Like many college students, you might think that the biggest danger of drinking is waking up with a hangover. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, drinking can easily result in other crimes. A drunk college student may commit sexual assault or assault. Statistics indicate that drunk students sexually assault roughly 97,000 students each year, while 696,000 students experience assault after a classmate gets drunk. If you get drunk and commit one of these behaviors, you may find yourself facing criminal charges.
Additionally, college drinking may cause you to get a DUI. You might think you will be fine if you have a few drinks at a party. However, you may find yourself intoxicated if you have four drinks in a two-hour period. If you drive home, law enforcement officials may charge you with a DUI. Drinking may also cause you to experience academic problems. You might miss your classes or get low grades on your papers and exams. You may think these academic problems are not a serious concern because they do not result in criminal charges. However, it is important to understand that you may face academic probation when your drinking affects your performance in the classroom.
It is important to take college drinking seriously because the repercussions can have a long-lasting effect on your life. If you face criminal charges for driving while intoxicated or for assaulting a classmate while you were drunk, you may lose scholarships. Your university may suspend you and in serious cases, you might face expulsion. Additionally, you may need to pay a court-ordered fine if a court convicts you of a criminal charge. You may also face jail time. You can find more information about this subject on our webpage.