With more than 45 years of experience representing college students in all types of DWI cases, including underage DWI and DWI with controlled substances, the Rowan DUI defense attorneys at the Law Offices of John J. Zarych understand how to handle your son or daughter’s case effectively. We can work to reduce the penalties being sought, and potentially even have your child acquitted or have the charges dropped or dismissed. Representing freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors, we are here to provide your son or daughter with aggressive and strategic legal representation against DUI charges at Rowan University in New Jersey. Contact us online today to set up a free legal consultation, or call the Law Offices of John J. Zarych at (609) 616-4956.
DWI/DUI on Rowan University Campus
DWI refers to “driving while intoxicated.” In other states, this offense is generally called DUI, or “driving under the influence.” DWI and related offenses can be charged for various reasons, including:
- Driving while impaired by alcohol and/or controlled substances, including marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, and prescription medications such as Adderall, OxyContin, Xanax, or Ambien
- Driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) that meets or exceeds 0.08 (with enhanced penalties if the driver’s BAC meets or exceeds higher thresholds)
- Driving with an open container of alcohol in the vehicle
- Refusing to consent to a breathalyzer test
At the Law Offices of John J. Zarych, our New Jersey defense attorneys handle all types of DWI-related charges against Rowan students, including:
- Breathalyzer refusal violations
- Disorderly persons offenses (misdemeanor DUI)
- DWI causing death or injury
- DWI with a minor passenger
- DWI with controlled substances
- DWI with high BAC
- First-offense DWI
- Indictable crimes (felony DUI)
- Open container violations
- Repeat offense DWI
- Underage DWI (DUI under 21)
Rowan Student Code of Conduct and Alcohol Policy
Students may be stopped because they are allegedly driving in an erratic or unsafe manner, or be stopped at various DWI checkpoints in Gloucester County, where Rowan’s main campus is located. The Rowan University Police Department can arrest drivers wherever they have jurisdiction, which includes the main Glassboro campus, the West campus in Glassboro, and the Rowan SOM (School of Osteopathic Medicine) in Stratford, Camden County. The Rowan Department of Public Safety, which is one of approximately 50 in the United States to receive accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), works with police departments and law enforcement throughout the region to prevent and deter crime.
Rowan University’s Student Code of Conduct, which is part of official Rowan University Policy, explains what happens when Rowan students are charged with crimes. The following details, excerpted from the Code of Conduct, are especially important for students and their families to be aware of:
- Even “private off-campus events which are not sponsored or funded by Rowan University will also be subject to the University discipline system if the conduct violates University regulations or local, state, or federal law…”
- You do not need to be an enrolled Rowan student to be charged by university officials. According to Rowan’s Code of Conduct, “University officials may file criminal charges against guests or other visitors who violate laws while on campus.”
Rowan’s “Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy” discusses University rules about alcohol use off- campus in depth, pointing out that intoxicated driving is prohibited not only by state law, but also by the University. As stated in the policy, Rowan strictly “prohibits the service, sale, or consumption of alcoholic beverages while in transit in any motor vehicle, to or from any University-affiliated event. This applies to all students, faculty, staff, alumni, and their guests,” even if they are 21 or older.
What to Do if You Were Charged with DUI at Rowan University
Even the brightest academic future can be clouded by a criminal charge in college, such as a charge of driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence (DWI/DUI). A DUI arrest at Rowan University can result in consequences that include heavy fines, the loss of your driver license, suspension or expulsion from Rowan, and potentially even jail time.
For example, if you are 21 or older, the criminal penalties for a first-time DWI offense may include a fine of up to $400, a license suspension lasting up to 90 days, and a jail sentence of up to 30 days. If you are under 21, you may be required to perform up to 30 days of community service, be ordered to attend treatment, and lose your driving privileges for months. A DWI conviction can also create a criminal record that hurts eligibility for student loans, job opportunities, internships, and volunteer programs.
If you or your child was arrested for DWI while attending Rowan University, it is urgent that you take steps to protect your child’s future. It is in your family’s best interests to retain a knowledgeable defense attorney with experience handling DWI cases in Gloucester County.
DWI Defense Lawyers for Rowan University Students
If your son or daughter was arrested for DWI at Rowan University, make sure that he or she is protected by an attorney who has a track record of achieving favorable case outcomes. At the Law Offices of John J. Zarych, we have extensive experience representing college students and minors in DWI and underage DWI cases, and are prepared to fight tirelessly for your family. Contact us online today for a free legal consultation, or call the Law Offices of John J. Zarych at (609) 616-4956.
