D
UI Defense for KSU Students
YOUR TRUSTED GEORGIA ATTORNEY WITH
THE COURAGE TO FIGHT FOR YOU
DUI Defense for KSU Students
One bad night should not have to define the rest of your life.
If you are a Kennesaw State University student who has been arrested for DUI, you probably have a lot running through your head. What happens to my license? Will KSU find out? What do I tell my parents? Could this affect my education or career?
Those are legitimate concerns. But losing hope is not an option.
I’m Joshua J. Smith, a Georgia trial attorney who has been practicing law since 2000. If you have been accused of DUI, my job is to look at what happened, determine what we are dealing with, and fight for the best possible result.
A DUI Can Be Especially Serious When You Are a College Student
For a KSU student, a DUI case can involve more than fines and a driver’s license.
You may be worried about getting to class or work without a car. If you are pursuing a career that involves professional licensing or background checks, you may wonder what an arrest or conviction could mean later.
There can also be consequences at Kennesaw State itself. The university has its own Student Code of Conduct and disciplinary procedures. A university conduct matter is separate from the criminal justice system, which means the two processes may move forward at the same time.
The important thing is not to assume your future has already been decided just because you were arrested.
An arrest is not a conviction.
What Happens After a DUI Arrest in Georgia?
DUI cases can move quickly. You may be facing both a criminal case and issues involving your driving privileges.
That is why I recommend talking to a lawyer as soon as possible.
We need to look at exactly what happened before, during, and after the traffic stop. Why did the officer pull you over? What did the officer observe? Were field sobriety tests performed? Were you asked to take a breath, blood, or urine test?
Details matter.
Police officers have rules they must follow. The prosecution also has to prove its case. Depending on the circumstances, there may be grounds to challenge the stop, the arrest, chemical testing, or other evidence being used against you.
What If I Am Under 21?
Many college students charged with DUI are not yet 21.
Georgia has particularly strict rules for drivers under 21, so you should not assume that being below the standard adult DUI limit means you are automatically in the clear.
If you have been arrested, don’t try to figure out the seriousness of the case based on something a friend told you or what you found on social media. Find out how Georgia law actually applies to your circumstances.
Could KSU Discipline Me Too?
Potentially.
Kennesaw State University maintains alcohol-related rules in addition to Georgia law. Depending on what happened, a student can potentially face university disciplinary proceedings as well as a criminal case.
KSU disciplinary sanctions can range from relatively minor measures to probation, educational requirements, removal from university housing, suspension, or expulsion.
That means we need to look at the big picture. Getting through the criminal case matters, but so does protecting the life you are building.
Contact a Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney
If you or someone you know is facing drug trafficking charges with an attempt to distribute, it is crucial to seek the representation of an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Contact Joshua J. Smith, Attorney at Law, by calling us at (706) 217-2095 or filling out our contact form.
