Things have changed in South Carolina in recent years regarding the consequences of an underage drinking or drug-related citation on a LIFE Scholarship. Under the previous version of the law, students with the LIFE Scholarship would be ineligible if they were found guilty or pled guilty to an alcohol or drug-related misdemeanor offense. Currently, according to the South Carolina Code Section 59-194-90:
"Students must not have ben adjudicated delinquent or been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any felonies or any second or subsequent alcohol or drug-related offenses under the laws of this or any other state or under the laws of the United States in order to be eligible of a LIFE Scholarship, except that a high school or college student otherwise qualified who has been adjudicated delinquent or has been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a second or subsequent alcohol or drug-related misdemeanor offense nevertheless shall be eligible or continue to be eligible for such scholarships after the expiration of one academic year from the date of the adjudication, conviction, or plea."
This change in the South Carolina Code of Laws will give students who make one mistake a second chance at retaining their LIFE Scholarships. If you are a LIFE Scholarship recipient and you have been charged with an alcohol or drug-related offense, the assistance of a Charleston criminal defense attorney can be helpful when it comes to protecting your criminal record and your LIFE Scholarship. The lawyers at Anderson & Schuster, Attorneys at Law, LLC help college students that have been charged with alcohol or drug-related offenses protect their criminal record, and if necessary, help to get students enrolled in Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) or an Alcohol Education Program (AEP) to protect their LIFE Scholarship. If you have been charged with underage drinking, minor in possession (MIP), underage alcohol violation (zero tolerance), or simple possession of marijuana call Anderson & Schuster, LLC today.
