Underage Drinking at the University of Cincinnati

 Underage drinking happens on nearly every college campus across the United States. Although it is common and for many, and an accepted part of the college experience, it is a crime. When an individual under the age of 21 chooses to drink alcohol, he or she faces the possibility of being charged with underage drinking. An underage drinking conviction can permanently impact a student’s life, potentially ending his or her college career and negatively affecting his or her professional career before it even begins.

Penalties for an Underage Drinking Conviction

In Ohio, underage drinking is a first-degree misdemeanor. The penalties for this conviction are:

• Up to six months in jail; and
• A fine of up to $1,000.

When underage drinking occurs in a car, the student also faces a 90-day driver’s license suspension. For an underage individual, having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.02% or higher while in a motor vehicle can result in a fine of $250 and up to 30 days in jail.

Other Charges your Child can Face

When underage students drink alcohol, there are certain other charges they can potentially face. These include:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI);
• Vandalism charges;
• Public intoxication;
• Sexual assault; and
• Use of controlled dangerous substances like marijuana.

Additionally, if your son or daughter is over the age of 21, he or she can be charged with furnishing alcohol to a minor if he or she buys alcohol for younger friends. He or she may also be liable for any damages a younger friend causes while intoxicated if he or she supplied the alcohol.

Fighting an Underage Drinking Charge

It is always possible to fight an underage drinking charge. Depending on the circumstances at play, an effective legal defense strategy could lead to:

• The student being found innocent and having the charge dismissed;
• The student being found guilty, but facing lower penalties than the maximum permitted by law; or
• The student entering a pre-trial diversion program, a program that makes it possible for criminal charges to be dismissed if the student successfully completes certain requirements.

Your child’s defense strategy will depend on the circumstances present in his or her case. It could hinge on the evidence used against him or her having been collected illegally or it could hinge on a lack of evidence to support the charge. Your child’s lawyer will determine the most effective course of action to take.

Work with an Experienced Dayton Criminal Defense Lawyer

Our team of experienced criminal defense lawyers at The VanNoy Firm is here to help college students like your child fight underage drinking charges and other criminal charges. Underage drinking is illegal and often a bad decision on a student’s part, but it should not result in expulsion and criminal penalties.