Drunk driving is becoming a common issue among college students, and according to a recent survey carried out, 1 out of 5 college students admitted to drunk driving, whereas 40% of them have confirmed having ridden with a drunk driver. This is an alarmingly high rate of drunk driving, and the situation gets worse when students reach the legal driving age of 21 years.
Problems faced by students charged with DUI
If you find yourself facing a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) charge, you need to get legal help immediately. This is important to avoid being charged with heavy fines, spending time in jail and attending alcohol treatment programs which can hamper not only your college life but also your future. One of the major problems faced by students charged with drunk driving is to get legal help, and hiring an attorney. DUI attorneys can be extremely expensive, and most students cannot afford them. This is when students can get help from the legal services offered by their Community College.
Legal Services offered by Community College
If you are a student facing drunk driving charges, you might be able to get help from your Community College. Most community colleges not only provide assistance to their students on how to prevent a DUI charge, but they also help them deal with DUI charges and may also offer DUI preventive programs along with alcohol and substance abuse programs.
Some community colleges even help students who need legal support and they may arrange the financial means to pay for a professional lawyer. Other community colleges even have programs that provide their current students with free or reduced cost lawyers. No matter what type of drunk driving charge the student may be facing, the Community College can provide free access or a reduced cost service to their students to help them in their legal ramifications.
Alcohol Treatment and Abuse programs
Depending on the severity of the charges in a DUI case, the court can order the individual guilty of drunk driving to attend an alcohol and substance abuse program. Community colleges also help their students charged with DUI by offering approved DUI classes and they also increase awareness among students of the dangers of alcohol abuse. These programs and classes teach their participants facts about alcohol use and abuse and help their struggling students to overcome their problems.
Other Prevention Efforts
Community Colleges also take other measures to prevent alcohol abuse in college, to avoid students getting involved in a DUI charge. The Warren County Community College in Washington provides their students to attend "Save a Life Tour" which gives the students an opportunity to drive in a drunk driving simulator. The purpose of the entire simulation is to demonstrate to the students how drunk driving impairs proper motor functioning. Innovative educational programs like these offered by Community Colleges allow students to make safer and smarter choices while they drive.
Remember that as a college student charged with drunk driving, you need to take the charges seriously, as ignoring to do so can lead to the suspension of your drivers license and it can also affect your ability to obtain student loans, apply to other colleges and universities for higher education and find a proper job after you get out of college.
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