College Students: How To Avoid Getting Arrested

Whether this is your first year of college or your fourth, you run a surprisingly high risk of being arrested sometime this year. For better and for worse, the college years tend to be a time when individuals tend to walk a tightrope between legal and illegal behavior simply by engaging in many of the activities that their peers do. It is therefore important to understand which behaviors can potentially get you arrested so that you can make informed decisions about your actions.

First, understand that while a staggering number of underage college students drink alcohol on a regular basis, it remains illegal for you to drink if you are under 21-years-old. As frustrating as it may seem that you may be allowed to vote, can legally be drafted and can even get married if you choose to but cannot legally drink, you do run the risk of being arrested if you drink while you are underage.

Similarly, you need to be careful in order to avoid being charged with drunk driving. During the first years that you can drink legally, you will likely learn how your body metabolizes alcohol and what factors lead you to remain drunk longer than you intend to be. But until you learn this valuable lesson, you should be extra cautious when drinking if you plan to drive afterwards.

Finally, please avoid fake IDs. You may be surprised to learn that possessing a fake ID can land you in seriously hot water with the law, but it absolutely can. The risks you take in possessing and using a fake ID far outweigh the potential benefits of doing so.

Source: Findlaw Blotter, “10 Dumb Ways College Students Can Get Arrested,” Daniel Taylor, Sep. 12, 2014