DUI Convictions and College Code of Conduct Violations

 Posted on September 27, 2022 in DUI/DWI/BUI

For most young adults, college is an exciting time, the first real steps of adulthood. Not only are the class schedules different from what students were used to during high school, but for many, living on campus or in off-campus housing is the first time they are living away from their parents.

But having all this freedom – along with the new challenges college students face – can sometimes lead to bad choices, like drinking or using cannabis products. This can lead to charges of DUI if a student makes the mistake of getting behind the wheel of a car while they are under the influence.

Tennessee Laws

Under Tennessee law, if a person is convicted of DUI, even a first offense can result in mandatory jail time, up to 12 months, depending on the circumstances of the crime. If the driver is under the legal drinking age of 21, there could be additional criminal charges resulting in even harsher penalties if convicted.

Many states in the nation have decriminalized marijuana, but that has not happened here in Tennessee, despite multiple attempts by state lawmakers to pass laws that would do just that. A college student who is arrested for driving under the influence of cannabis not only faces penalties for DUI if they are convicted but could also face additional charges for possession of a cannabis product. Under current state law, possession of half an ounce or less can result in up to one year in jail and a mandatory fine.

Code of Conduct

Most colleges and universities have a code of conduct in place for students, including the University of Tennessee. If a student engages in acts or behaviors that are explicitly prohibited by the university, such as a DUI arrest, not only could they face legal challenges, but they could also face disciplinary action by the school.

There are several different actions that the school may take against the student, depending on the seriousness of the student’s behavior. These include:

• Written warnings – The student is given a written warning explaining their violation. Written warnings are usually given for lesser violations and would likely not be issued for a DUI conviction.  
• Probation – The student is warned that any further code of conduct violations within a certain period could result in harsher action.
• Suspension – If a student is suspended, they cannot attend classes during this time period. When they are allowed to return, there is a high probability the student will be put on probation.
• Expulsion – The penalty for expulsion is given to students who have multiple DUIs or have caused injury or death because of the DUI or have multiple code of conduct violations. The student will no longer be able to attend the school. This is permanent.

Call a Knox County Defense Attorney for Legal Help

If you are a college student facing DUI charges, do not delay in contacting Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney for legal assistance. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may not only be facing loss of license, but you could also receive sanctions from the university. Call 865-281-1000 today to schedule a free consultation with a Knoxville, TX DUI defense lawyer.

Sources:

https://norml.org/laws/tennessee-penalties-2/

https://www.tn.gov/safety/publicsafety/duioutline.html

https://studentconduct.utk.edu/standards-of-conduct-overview/