Charged With Underage DUI After a WVU Crash? Legal Consequences for Students

By Patrick Crowe

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Criminal Defense

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Last Modified on Jan 26, 2026

Being charged with an underage DUI after a WVU crash can be an incredibly disheartening, overwhelming, and isolating experience. However, hiring a West Virginia underage DUI lawyer may be what you need to protect your rights and your future.

Choose Crowe Law, LLC, to Represent You

An underage DUI could prevent you from excelling in your education, making an attorney’s assistance absolutely essential. If you have been charged with an underage DUI after a WVU crash, Patrick Crowe is ready to defend you. With a Juris Doctorate from the West Virginia University College of Law, Patrick knows how to craft a compelling defense.

Crowe Law, LLC, is dedicated to client-personalized case management. We provide the advocacy you need to pursue the outcome you desire.

Charged With Underage DUI After a WVU Crash

It is estimated that approximately eight teens die in traffic-related accidents daily across the United States. Additionally, studies have shown that roughly one drunk driving-related death occurs every 45 minutes. Due to these risks, the potential consequences for DUIs can be severe.

In Morgantown, busy roads such as University Ave. are often the site of accidents and DUI arrests.

Potential Penalties for a First-Time Underage DUI Conviction in West Virginia

Being underage does not mean the West Virginia court system will take it easy on you for an underage DUI conviction. If you are found guilty of driving under the influence, you may be subjected to these penalties:

• Having your license suspended. Having your license suspended can have a major impact on your freedom and future. It may keep you from being able to commute easily to campus or work, and it could force you to rely on buses that run late and friends who forget to pick you up.
• Paying fines. For first-time underage DUI convictions, you may be required to pay fees between $25-$500, depending on the range of your BAC. This number could increase, however, if your situation involves certain mitigating factors.
• Serving time in jail. While it is common for those convicted of a DUI to face up to six months in jail, minors do not typically receive jail time for their first offense. This may change, however, depending on the surrounding circumstances.
• Additional penalties. Alcohol education, mandatory highway safety classes, rehab, and probation are all examples of additional programs you may be required to participate in.

The Involvement of West Virginia University

Though they are a separate entity from law enforcement and the local court system, West Virginia University, or any other educational program you may be attending, can make decisions about your future based on an underage DUI conviction. Here are some examples of the potential fallout you could be facing if you are found guilty of a DUI:

• Disciplinary actions. WVU has its own policies about underage drinking. This may impact your ability to continue your education, and penalties may be carried out independently of the West Virginia court system. It is possible that you could be facing a suspension or, in repeated or serious occurrences, even expulsion.
• Loss of student aid. It is possible that, should you be convicted of an underage DUI, you could lose scholarships or even student financial aid. This can make it harder, if not impossible, for you to continue your education.
• Trouble furthering your education. If you are hoping to continue your educational journey, it may prove difficult to do so with an underage DUI on your permanent record. A DUI conviction could mean having universities and other professional programs reject you regardless of your academic performance.

Why Should I Hire an Underage DUI Lawyer to Handle My Case in West Virginia?

There are many benefits to choosing to hire an underage DUI lawyer, especially when you consider what is at risk. Having a DUI conviction on your record can make obtaining jobs and housing difficult.

Your freedom to drive wherever and whenever may be dictated by license suspension or even revocation. It can cost you your ability to get into college or remain as a student at WVU. You could lose your funding and simultaneously watch your insurance premiums increase drastically. Your future career can be negatively affected by background checks.

You could end up facing all of these long-term struggles, not to mention potential jail time and fines, if you are found guilty. The smartest thing you can do to combat your underage DUI charges is to hire a skilled, knowledgeable, and dedicated lawyer. Your lawyer can help protect your rights as you pursue your desired outcomes and work to maintain your freedom.

FAQs

Can I Represent Myself in My Underage DUI Case in West Virginia?

Yes, it is perfectly legal for you to represent yourself in your underage DUI case in West Virginia, but many individuals have found that hiring a lawyer can improve their likelihood of success. Additionally, your lawyer can work hard to protect you from unnecessary confusion and stress.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Underage DUI Lawyer in West Virginia?

The cost of hiring an underage DUI lawyer tends to vary case by case in West Virginia. This is mostly due to the unique influence that specific variables can have on the price, including who you hire to represent you, the level of complexity your case presents, the severity of your charges, and the length of time your case needs to resolve.

Is It Legal for Me to Refuse to Do a Breathalyzer Test in West Virginia?

In the state of West Virginia, it is technically legal for you to refuse to partake in a breathalyzer or drug test, but this typically results in facing more severe consequences. This is mostly due to implied consent, which means that, by driving in West Virginia, you are essentially offering your implied consent to be tested.

Will a DUI Conviction Stay on My West Virginia Permanent Record Regardless of My Age?

Yes, it is very possible that, regardless of your age now or at the time of your DUI incident, you could have an underage DUI conviction on your permanent record. West Virginia may allow you to pursue its expungement or dismissal under certain circumstances, but this is not a given, and it could end up taking a very long time.

Get More Information Today

You deserve a chance to protect your future. Contact Crowe Law, LLC, today to schedule a consultation.