Many students make mistakes when they first taste the freedom afforded by going to college. Some of these mistakes involve alcohol, and worse, driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Not only is this unbelievably dangerous to your well-being, but it can also be devastating to your scholarship opportunities.
Why is DUI dangerous for a scholarship?
Many students in Florida are dependent on scholarship money to pay their tuition. Scholarships often have parameters for receiving and renewing them that include behavior requirements. Having a DUI on your record could put those scholarships in danger.
What about federal grants and loans?
The federal government may rescind opportunities offered to students if they have a criminal record. While a simple DUI may not jeopardize your federal monies, more serious charges related to your DUI certainly could.
Can you fight a DUI charge in Florida?
You can defend yourself against a DUI charge in the state of Florida. Some defenses include:
Challenge the stop
Florida law allows only two reasons for law enforcement to pull you over: reasonable suspicion that you are committing a crime, or that you are committing a traffic violation. If it was not a legal stop the court must dismiss your case.
Challenge the breathalyzer or the field sobriety test
There is a possibility that the sobriety test or the breathalyzer was faulty or inaccurate.
Challenge the alleged refusal
Law enforcement may feel you refused a field sobriety or breathalyzer test when in fact, you did not.
FIghting your DUI can help you avoid DUI charges and potentially protect your scholarship.