1st Time DUI, Underage DUI

University of South Florida DUI – USF DUI


University of South Florida DUI – 2025 Update

At the University of South Florida (USF), a DUI arrest can have significant consequences beyond the legal penalties. Students may face academic repercussions, loss of financial aid, and disciplinary action from the university. This page provides updated information on USF DUI enforcement, student conduct policies, and the potential impact of a DUI conviction.

USF Police DUI Enforcement

The USF Police Department actively conducts DUI enforcement on and around the Tampa campus. This includes:

  • Saturation Patrols: Focused patrols aimed at detecting impaired drivers.
  • Sobriety Checkpoints: Roadblocks set up to check drivers for signs of intoxication.
At the University of South Florida (USF), a DUI arrest can have significant consequences beyond the legal penalties. Students may face academic repercussions, loss of financial aid, and disciplinary action from the university. This page provides updated information on USF DUI enforcement, student conduct policies, and the potential impact of a DUI conviction. University of South Florida DUI

“USF Police Officers… use this DUI Saturation Patrol to identify impaired drivers in an effort to keep our streets safe. Impaired drivers… will face arrest and prosecution.”

USFPD has 43 officers patrolling the campus and surrounding areas. These enforcement efforts are part of a comprehensive approach to traffic safety.

Student Code of Conduct and DUI

A DUI arrest can lead to violations of the USF Student Code of Conduct. Key points include:

  • Students are responsible for complying with all public laws.
  • The university can initiate conduct proceedings even if criminal charges are pending.
  • Violations related to “Misuse of Alcohol” and “Misuse or Possession of Illegal Drugs” are taken seriously.

For more information on student conduct policies, refer to the official USF Student Rights & Responsibilities FAQs.

DUI in Florida – University of Tampa: DUI in Florida – University of Tampa – This page outlines the penalties for DUI in Florida.

Consequences of a DUI for USF Students

A DUI conviction can have far-reaching consequences for USF students, including:

  • Academic Penalties: Potential suspension or expulsion from the university.
  • Financial Aid Impacts: Loss of scholarships, including Bright Futures.
  • Criminal Prosecution: Facing legal charges in Florida courts.
  • Driver’s License Suspension: Loss of driving privileges.
  • Student Conduct Proceedings: Disciplinary action by the university.

Florida DUI Laws and College Students

Understanding Florida’s DUI laws is crucial for USF students. Key aspects include:

  • Legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC): 0.08% for adults, 0.02% for drivers under 21.
  • Penalties: Fines, jail time, community service, and driver’s license suspension.
  • Impact on College Students: Academic, financial, and future employment consequences.

For more information on the penalties of a DUI in Florida, you can review the information provided by the University of Tampa on DUI in Florida.

USF DUI Enforcement History

  • USFPD has conducted DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols since 2006.
  • Officer Michael Tinney received awards for DUI enforcement in 2012.
  • Reports of DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols have been published in local news sources.

Tables

ConsequenceDescription
Academic SuspensionPotential suspension from USF for violating student conduct.
Financial Aid LossLoss of scholarships and other financial aid, including Bright Futures.
Criminal ChargesFacing legal charges in Florida courts.
License SuspensionLoss of driving privileges.

FAQs – University of South Florida DUI

Can a DUI affect my Bright Futures scholarship?

Yes, a DUI conviction can lead to the loss of Bright Futures and other financial aid.

What happens if I get a DUI on campus?

You will face arrest by USFPD and potential disciplinary action from the university, in addition to criminal charges.

Where can I find the USF Student Code of Conduct?

You can find it on the USF Student Rights & Responsibilities website.

What is the legal BAC limit in Florida?

0.08% for adults, 0.02% for drivers under 21.


Time needed: 1 minute

How To: Respond to a USF DUI Arrest

  1. Remain Calm:

    Cooperate with law enforcement but do not admit guilt.

  2. Contact an Attorney:

    Immediately seek legal representation.

  3. Document Everything:

    Keep records of all interactions and paperwork.

  4. Understand Your Rights:

    Familiarize yourself with Florida DUI laws and USF student conduct policies.

  5. Attend All Hearings:

    Appear in court and at any university disciplinary hearings.

  6. Seek Support:

    Utilize resources for students facing alcohol-related issues.

2025 Update Notes

This updated content aims to provide USF students and their parents with comprehensive information on DUI enforcement and consequences. Remember, seeking legal counsel is crucial for navigating the complexities of a DUI arrest.

University of South Florida DUI

College Students

Driving Under The Influence

University_South_Florida_DUI University of South Florida DUI


At the University of South Florida, DUI conviction can have impacts beyond just staying on your driving record for the next 10 years. In addition, you can lose student financial aid including Bright Futures benefits. DUI Attorney  W.F. “Casey” Ebsary, Jr. explains University of South Florida Police (USFPD) have conducted DUI checkpoints / DUI saturation patrols since 2006. The USFPD has 43 officers. The USFPD patrol all of the campus and the areas surrounding the campus. Because the University of South Florida DUI cases have a payoff – awards. Furthermore, one DUI contest got the agency a fully loaded Chevrolet Tahoe.
 
Source: tampabay.com/news/education/college/crime-down-arrests-up-at-usf


Dui Defense Attorney Casey Ebsary, also notes that USF Police Department conduct Saturation Patrols on and around the Tampa, Florida campus. Another press release warned, “The University of South Florida Police Department will conduct DUI Saturation Patrols within our community on January 13, 2012.  This patrol will begin at 2:00 a.m. and end at 5:00 a.m.”

Read about the consequences of a DUI for a driver under 21 years old.

 
As a result, DUI enforcement by “USF Police Officers . . . use this DUI Saturation Patrol to identify impaired drivers in an effort to keep our streets safe.  Impaired drivers . . . will face arrest and prosecution.” Students caught likely will face driver’s license suspension and criminal prosecution. In addition, these students will face action by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Some issues in the Student Code of Conduct raised by a University of South Florida DUI are below.
 

Student Code of Conduct

 
 
  • “The conduct process may be initiated against a student charged with conduct that potentially violates both the criminal law and/or the Student Code of Conduct.”
  • “Students are responsible for compliance with all public laws.”
  • “Misuse or Possession of Illegal Drugs.”
  • “Misuse of Alcohol.”

A sample of Prior University of South Florida DUI Checkpoint

Sobriety Checkpoint on the USF Campus University of South Florida DUI
Sobriety Checkpoint on the USF Campus

We uncovered a report of a DUI Checkpoint Roadblock on the Tampa Campus. It is “USF Police to Conduct Sobriety Checkpoint.” The University of South Florida Police Department will host a Sobriety Checkpoint on Campus on May 15, 2013, beginning at 11:00 pm. . . . [This is ] followed by a four-hour saturation patrol. During this time, USF Police Officers will seek . . . impaired drivers in an effort to keep our streets safe. So impaired drivers . . . will face arrest and prosecution. Furthermore, this operation is part of a comprehensive, collaborative approach to traffic safety by the USF Police Department. Finally, the USF Police Department has primary jurisdiction on and about property owned or controlled by the University of South Florida.


Aggressive Campus Cops

 
Someone needs to tell DUI Officer Michael Tinney about their primary jurisdiction. We have yet to defend a single DUI arrest, he made on campus. The USF Police Department awarded Officer Tinney Officer of the Year and DUI Enforcement Officer of the Year for 2012. He also received an award from Hillsborough County Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for his DUI Enforcement in 2012. Officer Tinney actively participates in all enforcement campaigns and leads the DUI Checkpoints for his squad.”  He is a DUI arrest award winner in the campus police department’s DUI arrest contest.

 Here is a downloadable copy of the USF DUI Checkpoint Announcement.


University of South Florida DUI – USF  News

Designated Driver Study

Designated drivers not so sober University of South Florida DUI
Designated drivers not so sober
“When it comes to going out and drinking with friends, most students are capable of securing a designated driver. But according to a USF study, most of these students are putting their lives in the hands of ‘less drunk’ rather than ‘sober’ drivers.”
 
And “A group of public relations students, led by assistant professor Kelly Werder, conducted surveys and focus-group research for the Tampa Alcohol Coalition and found most USF students think a DUI has the same consequential impact as a speeding ticket.”   By Elise Bouchard of the USF Oracle

 


Another DUI Checkpoint Report

USF DUI Checkpoint

Casey Ebsary, a Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer, received a tip that there will be a DUI checkpoint on campus this weekend, July 8. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the University of South Florida USF Police Department will conduct the sting and it will apparently be on campus. Most noteworthy these checkpoints are usually posted on the Sheriff’s website, but this one was not. Recently, we obtained a police manual for these types of checkpoints.

Source: http://brandon.patch.com/articles/dui-busting-aim-of-heightened-usf-hcso-patrols

DUI Checkpoint Video for iPhone
 

Previous Coverage Of State University Campus DUI

DUI Means Expulsion from the University

Got DUI – Get Expelled: “UF looks beyond campus for DUI cases – They may try to hide it from Mom and Dad, but University of Florida (UF) students caught driving drunk in Alachua County won’t be able to hide it from UF administrators. This month, UF began regularly monitoring off-campus DUI convictions. Students convicted of DUI in the county won’t just face criminal courts, they will go before UF’s Office of Student Judicial Affairs, where they could face suspension or expulsion.
 
Student Judicial Affairs already hears between 30 and 40 on-campus DUI cases each year. But that number will likely go up now that UF is looking beyond its borders, said Eugene Zdziarski, UF’s dean of students. First-time offenders in the system are typically suspended from school for a year, Zdziarski said. Repeat offenders, however, can face expulsion, he said.”
 

Campus of University of South Florida DUI Arrests on the Rise

“More than twice as many students were arrested for drunken driving on campus in 2005 than in 2004 because of University Police Department’s new chief and UF President Bernie Machen’s alcohol policies, University Police spokesman Lt. Joe Sharkey said. There were 111 arrests for DUIs on campus in 2005, 44 arrests in 2004 and 56 arrests in 2003, according to University Police Department crime statistics. “
 
DUI University of South Florida