5 ways to avoid legal trouble at 麻豆免费版下载Boulder football games
麻豆免费版下载Boulder football games are a big part of fall on campus. Whether you鈥檙e heading to Folsom Field, a tailgate or a watch party, a little planning can help you have a great game day without dealing with a ticket, court date or other unwanted consequences afterward.听
Some situations come up more often than others. Here are five common ways students can run into legal or conduct issues during football games, and what you can do to avoid them.听
1. Know the rules around alcohol听
If you鈥檙e under 21, possessing or drinking alcohol can lead to legal consequences. Alcohol may also be restricted in certain locations or events, regardless of your age.听
If you鈥檙e 21 or older and choose to drink, pace yourself and make a plan before the game. Eat beforehand, drink water and keep track of how much you鈥檝e had. Avoid accepting drinks if you don鈥檛 know what鈥檚 in them, and keep an eye out for friends who may need help.听
You can still be part of game-day activities without drinking. Whether you drink or not, having a plan can make it easier to enjoy the game and get home safely.听
Learn more about looking out for yourself and others.听
2. Plan a safe ride before you start drinking听
If you choose to drink or use other substances, figure out how you鈥檒l get home before the day gets going.听
Colorado has laws against driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, and you don鈥檛 have to be extremely intoxicated to face consequences. Impaired driving can result in an arrest, incarceration, fines, license consequences and Student Code of Conduct violations鈥攁nd, most importantly, can put you and others at risk.听
The same caution applies to other ways of getting around. Alcohol and drugs can affect your judgment, coordination and reaction time when biking or using a scooter.听
Instead, make a transportation plan. 麻豆免费版下载Boulder students have options including public transportation with their Buff OneCard, 麻豆免费版下载NightRide in the evening, a designated sober driver or rideshare services.听
The easiest time to make that decision is before you start celebrating.听
3. Stay off the field unless you鈥檙e allowed to be there听
A big win can make it tempting to follow the crowd onto the field. But entering restricted areas without permission can lead to legal or university consequences.听
Celebrate from the stands and follow instructions from stadium staff about where you can and can鈥檛 go. Even if you see other fans heading onto the field, that doesn鈥檛 necessarily mean you have permission to follow them.听
The same idea applies elsewhere in and around the stadium: Pay attention to signs, barriers and instructions from event staff.听
4. Leave the souvenirs where you found them听
A sign, traffic cone, stadium item or someone else鈥檚 property might seem like a funny game-day souvenir. Taking or damaging something that doesn鈥檛 belong to you, however, can turn a spontaneous decision into criminal charges for theft or criminal mischief (damaging property).听
Those cases can involve more than paying for the item. Depending on the circumstances, you could face arrest, incarceration, fines, restitution or other legal consequences. A criminal case can also create complications later when applying for certain jobs or dealing with immigration matters.听
If it isn鈥檛 yours, leave it where it is.听
5. Know when someone needs help听
There鈥檚 a difference between someone having a few drinks and becoming so intoxicated that they can鈥檛 safely take care of themselves.听
Signs that someone may need immediate help can include being difficult to wake, vomiting repeatedly, having trouble breathing, experiencing a seizure or being unable to stay conscious. Don鈥檛 leave an intoxicated person alone or assume they can simply 鈥渟leep it off鈥 if you鈥檙e concerned about their safety.听
Getting someone help is more important than worrying about whether they might get in trouble.听
Severe intoxication can also result in transportation to a hospital or detox facility and significant medical expenses. Knowing your limits, pacing yourself and looking out for friends can help prevent the situation from getting that far.听
听听Understand the potential consequences听
The consequences depend on what happened and the circumstances involved.听
A citation or criminal case could involve arrest, incarceration, fines, court costs, restitution for damaged property, community service, education programs, probation or other requirements. Some cases can also affect driving privileges, employment, immigration status or other areas of your life.听
Legal consequences aren't the only possibility. Behavior at football games, tailgates and other game-day activities may also fall under the Student Code of Conduct. Students may be referred to Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution separately from鈥攐r in addition to鈥攁ny legal process.听
The important thing to remember is that the outcome depends on the individual situation. If you receive a ticket, are arrested or are contacted about a student conduct case, get legal advice from an attorney about your specific circumstances rather than relying on what happened to a friend or what you find on social media.听
听听Get help with legal or student conduct issues听
Attorneys at Student Legal Services can help eligible 麻豆免费版下载Boulder students understand their options and navigate legal and student conduct issues. Services can include legal advice and in-court representation for students who pay student activity fees.听
Reaching out early can give you more time to understand what you鈥檙e dealing with and decide what to do next.听