Drunk driving has become prevalent amongst young people in this country. College students facing drunk driving charges have a lot to lose if they are found guilty. In addition to license suspension, hefty fines and substance abuse counseling, a DUI charge can remain on their record and affect their futures significantly. College athletes also risk losing their spot on the team they worked so hard to become a part of. Some athletes have a chance to play at the professional level, but with a conviction, they may be less likely to get that opportunity.
The freshman quarterback and three-star recruit at the University of Virginia was charged with driving while intoxicated in late July. He is scheduled to appear in court in late September. In the meantime, the young man, a former Gonzaga standout, is not practicing with the team.
Reports indicate that the quarterback’s blood alcohol level was .14, nearly twice the legal limit, at the time of his arrest.
With any DUI arrest, officers must have had reasonable suspicion to stop the vehicle and probable cause for the arrest. In order to gather evidence to establish probable cause, officers may ask the driver to submit to a Breathalyzer test. However, the results of this test can be skewed by the failure to properly administer or calibrate the test. Numerous other factors can affect the results, making them unusable. A lack of accurate results could lead to the dismissal of DUI charges altogether. A dismissal can change the course of a young person’s life and open the door to new and exciting opportunities.
Source: The Washington Post, “U-Va. freshman QB Nick Johns, a former Gonzaga star, faces DWI charge,” Isabelle Khurshudyan, Aug. 10, 2015
