Spring break is an opportunity for college kids to let off a bit of steam before they head into finals and summer plans. These weeks in March and April have quite a reputation, and for very good reasons – all those college kids hanging out on the beach can lead to overly exuberant antics. When those antics result in criminal charges, however, the fun is over.
DUI and Underage Drinking
In the State of Texas, any motorist with a blood alcohol level over .08 percent can be charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and face the serious fines and other penalties that go along with that. Texas, however, has special laws in place for drivers below the drinking age who get behind the wheel after drinking. If you are underage, Texas has a zero-tolerance policy, which means you can be charged with DUI with virtually any amount of alcohol in your system.
Drug Possession
The State of Texas is particularly strict when it comes to the possession of controlled substances. While most students consider Spring Break a time to let loose, being caught with drugs can lead to serious consequences, including:
Expensive fines
Jail time
Probation
Suspended driver’s license
Mandatory drug treatment
The severity of the charges and potential consequences hinge on the amount and type of the controlled substance you are alleged to possess. In addition, college students may face sanctions imposed by their school, including probation, suspension, or even dismissal.
Assault and Battery
Spring break and bars just seem to belong together, but if someone’s bad behavior entangles you in a bar brawl, it could lead to charges of assault and/or battery. Even a minor dustup can lead to charges with serious potential consequences.
Sexual Assault
The spring break environment often leads to sexual encounters between college students, and allegations of sexual assault can arise. The issue of consent can be a complicated one, especially when both parties have been drinking. For this reason, if you’ve been accused of sexual assault, it’s critical that you speak to an attorney as soon as you can.
Spring Break Charges Can Have a Significant Impact on Your Future
As a college student, it's important to keep in mind that any criminal conviction could have far-reaching impacts on your professional life for years to come. Employers routinely conduct background checks on their applicants, and any criminal conviction – even if it was associated with a "youthful indiscretion" during college – could hurt your chances of getting hired. In addition, if you’re planning on going into a regulated profession like medicine or law, a criminal conviction could present problems when trying to obtain your license. For these reasons, it’s critical that you work with an experienced attorney to minimize the impact of any criminal charges you may be facing.
An Experienced Killeen Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help
Spring Break is your chance to go have a little fun in the sun, and you do not want that fun to turn into criminal charges. If your Spring Break does leave you facing criminal charges, Brett Pritchard at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard in Killeen, Texas, is a formidable criminal defense attorney who is committed to aggressively advocating for your case’s optimal resolution. We are here to help, so please do not hesitate to contact or call us at 254-501-4040 for more information today.