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Consequences of Being Caught Drinking on Campus

By April 4, 2022September 4th, 2024No Comments

For many college students in DC and across the U.S., encountering alcohol is a common part of the college experience. Whether you choose to drink or not, it’s essential to be aware of the potential risks involved, especially when underage drinking or violating campus policies.

At DC Student Defense, we frequently represent students facing academic or legal consequences for on-campus drinking. If you find yourself in such a situation, understanding the potential consequences and your rights is crucial. 

In this blog, experienced student defense attorney Shan Wu and DC Student Defense provide an overview of the consequences of getting caught drinking on campus.

The Most Common Alcohol Violations on College Campuses

Every college or university has different policies about drinking on campus, and those policies can differ based on your age. That’s why it’s essential to fully understand your school’s code of conduct. While it’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of college orientation, take a few moments to review your school’s policies to ensure you are informed of the expectations that your university has of you.

That being said, most colleges prohibit the consumption of alcohol while on campus property, regardless of your age. This includes the privacy of your dorm room.

Here are some of the most common alcohol violations you can get in trouble for on campus:

  • Drinking or being intoxicated on campus
  • Possessing or drinking alcohol in your dorm room
  • Underage drinking
  • Supplying alcohol to minors
  • Public intoxication
  • Having an open container in public

Consequences of College Alcohol Violations

So, you and your friends are having some drinks in your dorm room, and your RA comes in for a surprise inspection. What happens now?

Again, you should check your school’s code of conduct for specific details. In general, these are some of the consequences you could face from your school’s administration:

  • Verbal or written reprimand
  • Academic, disciplinary, or athletic probation
  • Loss of privileges (sports, clubs, etc.)
  • Suspension
  • Loss of scholarships
  • Expulsion

In addition, many schools in the DC area have policies of reaching out to local police departments when a crime is committed on campus. So if you’re caught drinking while underage, driving under the influence, drinking in public, or doing anything else against the law, you may also face a criminal investigation as well.

What To Do in the Case of an Alcohol-related Emergency on a College Campus

Though the potential consequences you may face when caught drinking on campus can be severe, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t contact emergency medical services if you are facing an alcohol-related emergency.

Here are some examples:

  • You or someone you know is experiencing alcohol poisoning
  • Someone you know has been drinking and won’t wake up
  • You or someone you know has injured themselves due to intoxication
  • You or someone you know is being assaulted, and alcohol is involved

Many schools have student-run medical services, or private university-run security services, that can help in these situations.

In addition, some schools have medical amnesty policies, which means that if you report an alcohol-related emergency, you and the other people involved won’t get in trouble for campus drinking violations.

Contact DC Student Defense today

Navigating the complexities of alcohol-related incidents on campus can be daunting, especially when your academic future hangs in the balance. If you or someone you know is facing disciplinary action or legal consequences due to underage drinking or other alcohol-related violations, seeking experienced legal counsel is crucial. 

At DC Student Defense, our services revolve around protecting the rights and futures of students across the nation. Don’t hesitate to contact us today for a consultation. We’re here to help safeguard your education.

Shan Wu

Author Shan Wu

Shan’s professional and personal background gives him a unique understanding of academic institutions and the criminal justice system. A former federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C., he is at home in D.C. Courts and very familiar with all of the Washington, D.C. law enforcement agencies, especially the Metropolitan Police Department. His parents were university professors so he grew up in a university environment. He understands the mindset of academic institutions. As a prosecutor, he supervised in the misdemeanor crime section. This is the section of the Washington, D.C. prosecutor’s office that handles most college student cases. His understanding of charging decisions and how judges view these cases is invaluable to his student clients and their families. Shan served as a federal prosecutor in the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia for over ten years. During his tenure there, now Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. appointed him to supervisory positions in the Misdemeanor Trial Section and also in a police corruption task force. His outstanding legal work in the government was recognized through numerous Special Achievement Awards from the Justice Department as well as awards conveyed by law enforcement agencies and community groups. From 1999-2000, Shan served as Counsel to Attorney General Janet Reno, advising her on criminal and civil investigations, E-Gov, E-Commerce (electronic signatures, internet gambling, internet telephony, privacy & public access issues in electronic court filings), congressional oversight, and legislative review. His responsibilities included serving as liaison to the FBI, DEA, Criminal Division, Executive Office of United States Attorneys, National Institute of Justice, and White House Counsel’s Office. Shan serves on the D.C. Bar Association’s Hearing Committee of the Board on Professional Responsibility and is a past president of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association for the Greater Washington, D.C. area. He is a 1988 graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, where he graduated Order of the Barristers, edited two law reviews, and was Co-Director of the Moot Court Program. He holds a B.A. in English Literature from Vassar College as well as a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College. Following law school, he clerked for the late Hon. Jerry Buchmeyer, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, and the late Eugene Wright, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He is admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia and Connecticut.

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