956-504-2211

College Students

For the average resident in Texas, an arrest for driving while intoxicated (DWI) typically results in a criminal case requiring multiple court appearances. If the person arrested for an alleged drunk driving offense is a college student, the criminal charges are not the only issue that the alleged offender will have to deal with.

Students at local colleges and universities in South Texas who are arrested for DWI (referred to in other jurisdictions as driving under the influence or DUI) not only face possible incarceration and fines, but convictions can jeopardize academic careers. Many institutions of higher learning impose disciplinary measures on students for violations of student codes of conduct (such as alleged criminal offenses), and the rules governing how colleges and universities handle internal cases can be completely different to the rules in the courtroom.

Lawyer for College Student DWI Arrests in Brownsville, TX

If you are a student at a higher learning institution anywhere in the Rio Grande Valley area who was arrested for DWI, it is in your best interest to retain legal counsel as soon as possible. The Gracia Law Firm, P.C. aggressively defends students in Willacy County, Hidalgo County, and Cameron County.

Jonathan Gracia is an experienced criminal defense attorney in Brownsville who can fight to achieve the most favorable possible outcome to your case, including possibly having the criminal charges reduced or dismissed. You can have our lawyer review your case and help you understand all of your legal options during a free initial consultation when you call 956-504-2211 today.

Cameron County College Student DWI Crimes Information Center

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Colleges in South Texas

The rules governing disciplinary proceedings at colleges and universities in Texas can vary depending on the specific institution of higher learning. Some of the colleges and universities in South Texas that The Gracia Law Firm, P.C. represents students of include, but are not limited to:

  • South Texas College (STC);
  • Texas A&M University – Kingsville Citrus Center;
  • Texas Southmost College;
  • Texas State Technical College (TSTC); and
  • University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV).

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Brownsville College Student DWI Cases

Most first DWI arrests are Class B misdemeanor offenses punishable by up to 180 days in jail and fines of up to $2,000. A first arrest involving a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15 or higher or any second DWI arrest is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and fines of up to $4,000.

Third or subsequent DWI offenses and DWI offenses that caused crashes resulting in bodily injury or death are felony offenses in Texas. In addition to possible imprisonment and fines, alleged offenders facing criminal charges for DWI will also have driver’s licenses suspended and may be ordered to complete any number of additional requirements, including community service, mandatory attendance at a Victim Impact Panel (VIP), and installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) in all motor vehicles owned or operated by the alleged offender.

Student disciplinary hearings are completely separate matters from criminal charges. Certain institutions may prohibit students from having legal representation for hearings, but often still allow attorneys to serve as advisors.

Depending on the college or university, just the arrest for DWI may constitute grounds for a possible suspension or even expulsion. Some institutions may not discipline students who are not convicted, but a student should make sure to have a lawyer review all aspects of his or her student code of conduct in order to ensure minimal disruption to the student’s academic career.

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Cameron County College Student DWI Resources

College Drinking | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) | National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The NIAAA is one of the 27 institutes and centers that comprise the NIH, the primary agency of the federal government responsible for biomedical and public health research. Visit this website to learn more about consequences of harmful and underage college drinking, factors affecting student drinking, and addressing college drinking. You can also find information about “binge drinking.”

Drinking and Driving Among College Students | The Influence of Alcohol-Control Policies — View the full text of a study that used a national sample to examine policy factors associated with alcohol-involved driving. The study was published in the October 2003 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The study found, “Students who attend colleges in states that have more restrictions on underaged drinking, high volume consumption, and sales of alcoholic beverages, and devote more resources to enforcing drunk driving laws, report less drinking and driving.”

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The Gracia Law Firm, P.C. | Brownsville College Student DWI Defense Attorney

Are you a college student anywhere in South Texas who was arrested for DWI? You will want to immediately contact The Gracia Law Firm, P.C. . Brownsville criminal defense lawyer Jonathan Gracia represents students at schools in Willacy County, Hidalgo County, and Cameron County.

Call 956-504-2211 or fill out an online contact form to have our lawyer provide a complete evaluation of your case during a free, confidential consultation.

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