Can a DUI cause you to lose your college scholarship?

When college students get their first taste of freedom, they sometimes make mistakes. These mistakes may involve overindulging in alcohol. Worse, some students make the mistake of driving while under the influence.

This is potentially dangerous to your well-being, as well as devastating to your existing scholarship or future scholarship opportunities.

How can a DUI jeopardize a scholarship?

Florida students are often dependent on scholarships to pay their tuition. These scholarships often include behavior requirements for both receiving and renewing them. Being convicted of a DUI can violate those requirements.

Are federal grants and loans at risk as well?

A criminal record may cause the government to rescind opportunities offered to students. While a simple DUI may not threaten your federal monies, any serious charges associated with your DUI certainly could.

Can you defend yourself against a DUI charge in Florida?

In the state of Florida, you can defend yourself against a DUI charge. Some defenses include:

Challenge the reason for the traffic stop

Florida law only allows two reasons for a traffic stop: committing a traffic violation, or law enforcement has reasonable suspicion that you are committing a crime. If neither of these conditions exists then it was not a legal stop, and the court must dismiss your DUI.

Challenge the breathalyzer or field sobriety test

A breathalyzer can be faulty or inaccurate, or the law enforcement officer may not have had the proper training for administering a field sobriety test.

Challenge an alleged refusal of a test

Law enforcement may allege that you refused a field sobriety or breath test when you did not.

Fighting your DUI to avoid DUI charges can protect your scholarship and your future.