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How does alcohol play a part in college student offense charges?

On Behalf of | Oct 29, 2020 | Criminal Defense |

Living on a college campus can offer students their first taste of freedom and what life is like as an adult, but it can also lead them to make questionable decisions regarding alcohol intake. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, one out of three students who regularly drink alcohol also binge drink at least once a month. 

If you have a freshman child in college, knowing how alcohol plays a part in criminal activity could help you better understand the reasons behind his or her behavior if they become involved in criminal activity on campus. 

Physical assault  

Drinking can lead to a lack of inhibition and cause students to lose their tempers faster than they would when sober. Physical altercations at parties both off and on campus are often common and usually involve a variety of triggers, including: 

  • Arguments over relationships  
  • Group or fraternity rivalry  
  • Altercations between ex-partners/new partners  

Alcohol may increase feelings of aggression, which could lead to serious injuries or criminal charges for everyone involved. 

DUI

If your child’s university allows students to drive on campus, the combination of this freedom, along with the availability of alcohol, may result in a DUI charge. The risk is usually greater for younger students who are away from home for the first time and bend under peer pressure when it comes to binge drinking. Your inexperienced child may not realize how much alcohol he or she has consumed and may get behind the wheel believing he or she is sober enough to drive home. 

Underage college drinking often increases the chance of students engaging in criminal behavior. While freshmen are usually more likely to face charges, alcohol abuse can affect young people at any stage in their college careers.