How Does a DUI Conviction Impact Education?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol is the most commonly used and abused substance among children and teenagers in the United States. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported in 2016 that 19 percent of young people aged 12 to 20 drink alcohol and 12 percent admitted to binge drinking within the past 30 days.

How Does a DUI Conviction Impact Education?Unfortunately, alcohol consumption among the youth has also led to a significant amount of drunk driving accidents and arrests. About 10 percent of teens in high school drink and drive.

If your child has been arrested for an underage DUI in West Virginia, you—as parents—must do whatever it takes to help him/her avoid conviction. Not only does a conviction can lead to serious criminal penalties, but it can also negatively affect your child’s education.

Whether your child is a high school or college student, some schools suspend, expel, or otherwise punish those who are charged or convicted of underage drunk driving. Check the school’s policy to see if certain penalties will be enforced for DUI charges.

When it comes to college applications, many schools have a strict policy regarding convictions and do now accept students with criminal records. On the other hand, while a school may consider convicted applicants, they will prioritize those without a criminal history.

A DUI conviction can also mean losing scholarships. If your child is a student-athlete, getting convicted could lead to being suspended or kicked off the team.

As far as indirect consequences are concerned, losing the ability to drive for a long period may result in tardiness and absences. Such behavior leads to falling behind on schoolwork, retaking failed classes, and delaying graduation.

At The Wagner Law FirmAttorney Harley Wagner has more than two decades of legal experience providing effective and personalized legal counsel for all his clients. He can protect your child’s rights, reputation, and future by obtaining the best possible outcome in his/her case.

If your child has been arrested for a DUI in West Virginia, contact us today at (304) 461-6000 for a free case review.

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Harley Wagner

Attorney Thomas M. Cooley School of Law, National College for DUI Defense, West Virginia State Bar

Harley has represented over 3,000 citizens throughout West Virginia. He is the author of West Virginia DUI Defense, The Law and Practice, which is the go to handbook for many magistrates, judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors, and law enforcement throughout West Virginia. has been selected for inclusion in West Virginia Super Lawyers® eight times.

He maintains an AV Preeminent® Rating by with Martindale-Hubbell®, an Avvo Rating of 10.0, and an excellent annual rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Harley is also the past president of the national DUI Defense Lawyers Association (2020-2021) which he was Charter Member and founder of in 2014

Areas of Expertise: DUI Defense, Aggravated DUI, Alternative Sentencing, Boating Under the Influence, Commercial License DUI, DMV Hearings, DUI Drugs, DUI with Injury, DUI Causing Death, Out-of-State Resident DUI, DUI Immigration Consequences, DUI with Minor in Vehicle, DUI Child Endangerment, Fleeing a DUI, Felony DUI, Permitting DUI, Underage DUI, Multiple DUI, First-Offense DUI, Second-Offense DUI, Third-Offense DUI, DUI Testing, Field Sobriety Tests, Breathalyzer, Blood Testing, DUI Info Center, College Student DUI, DUI Checkpoints, DUI Court Dates, DUI Deferral Program, Implied Consent, Test & Lock Program, FAQ, DUI Penalties, Administrative License Revocation, Ignition Interlock Device, License Suspension