If you’re in college and you’ve been arrested for underage drinking or marijuana possession, your first thought probably wasn’t about court dates or fines.
It was likely this: Did I just ruin my future?
We hear that fear all the time at Cohen & Winters. And here’s the honest answer: Probably not — but how you handle this now matters more than you think.
First, Take a Breath
An arrest is not a conviction.
And one mistake — especially a non-violent, first-time offense — does not define your life or your career.
New Hampshire courts see these cases every day. Judges understand that college students make mistakes. The system often aims to correct behavior, not permanently punish it.
But that doesn’t mean you should ignore it or assume it will just “go away.”
A note on “future impact” questions:
We can explain the legal process and the general ways an underage alcohol or marijuana case can show up in records. But it’s impossible to predict, with certainty, how any specific employer, internship program, graduate school, or licensing board will view a particular arrest or conviction in the future. Different organizations have different screening practices and policies—and those policies can change over time. So the discussion below is general guidance, not a definitive prediction about how any specific decision-maker will treat your case.
What Are We Talking About Legally?
In New Hampshire, the most common college-student allegations in this area include:
Underage alcohol possession / intoxication (RSA 179:10): generally charged as a violation.
Simple marijuana possession (RSA 318-B:2-c): possession of 3/4 ounce or less of marijuana (and 5 grams or less of hashish) is generally a violation; higher amounts or other conduct (like distribution/manufacturing) can be more serious criminal charges.
Even “violations” can matter because they can still create a record and can still trigger collateral consequences depending on the situation.
Driver’s license consequences (two common pathways—this is not exhaustive):
Non-driving-based license loss for under-21 alcohol/drug offenses (RSA 263:56-b): New Hampshire law allows the court to impose a driver’s license revocation/denial for certain alcohol- or drug-related offenses when the person is under 21. The statute gives the court discretion on whether to impose this consequence, but in practice it is common for a conviction to trigger a license-loss order unless the judge affirmatively declines. If the court orders it, the Department of Safety must implement the revocation/denial after receiving the court’s notice, with a limited hearing process.
Transporting in a vehicle (RSA 265-A:45): Separately, transporting liquor/beverages/marijuana in a vehicle by a driver under 21 can lead to a 60-day suspension, subject to the statute’s exceptions and the facts.
Will This Show Up on a Background Check?
This is where things get real. There are many different kinds of background checks used for different purposes. Different screenings pull different sources—some focus on convictions, others also surface pending charges or court records.
If your case results in a conviction, even if for just a violation, it can appear on background checks used by:
Employers
Graduate schools
Law schools
Medical programs
Licensing boards
Internships and fellowships
Even minor offenses can raise questions, especially in fields like:
Healthcare
Law
Education
Government
Finance
Security-sensitive roles
That doesn’t mean you’ll be automatically rejected. But it may mean you’ll need to explain yourself.
And explanations are much easier when the legal outcome was handled properly from the start.
What About Internships, Scholarships, and Grad School?
Many students are surprised to learn that schools and scholarship programs sometimes ask about criminal history, not just convictions.
Some applications ask:
“Have you ever been charged with a crime?”
“Have you ever been arrested?”
“Have you ever been subject to disciplinary action?”
When completing an application, it is important to accurately answer the exact question that is asked and get legal advice before disclosing if unsure. How you answer matters. So does whether the charge was dismissed, reduced, or resolved through a diversion program.
At Cohen & Winters, we help students think strategically — not just legally — about how today’s decisions affect tomorrow’s applications.
Will This Affect Professional Licensing?
If you’re planning a career that requires licensure, this is especially important.
Licensing boards often look at:
Criminal history
Honesty and disclosure
Patterns of behavior
Evidence of rehabilitation
A single underage possession charge is rarely a career-ender on its own.
But failing to address it properly — or failing to disclose it honestly — can be.
We’ve seen far more damage done by how someone handled the aftermath than by the original charge itself.
Good News: There Are Often Options
New Hampshire law provides alternatives for first-time or low-level offenders, especially young adults.
Depending on the facts of your case, options may include:
Dismissal
Reduction to a violation
Deferred sentences
Diversion programs
Annulment (record clearing) down the road (the timelines depend on the type of conviction and the sentence)
The goal in many cases is education and correction, not lifelong consequences.
But these outcomes don’t happen automatically.
They usually require proper legal advocacy.
Why Legal Representation Matters (Even for “Minor” Charges)
We hear this all the time:
“It’s just a small charge — do I really need a lawyer?”
Here’s the truth:
Small charges can have big ripple effects.
An experienced New Hampshire criminal defense attorney knows:
Which outcomes protect your future
How to negotiate with prosecutors
What judges expect
How to position your case for dismissal or reduction
How to preserve your ability to seal or annul records later
At Cohen & Winters, we look beyond the fine or the court date. We look at your career goals. Your education. Your long-term plans.
You’re not just a case number. You’re a person with a future.
What Employers Actually Care About
Most employers don’t expect perfection.
They care about:
Responsibility
Growth
Honesty
Judgment
A resolved, first-time underage offense — handled responsibly — is very different from a pattern of reckless behavior.
And many employers are far more forgiving than students expect. Especially when the record is clean, sealed, or never resulted in a conviction at all.
Final Thoughts from Cohen & Winters
If you’re a college student facing underage alcohol or marijuana charges in New Hampshire, the situation may feel terrifying.
But it’s manageable.
The key is addressing it early, taking it seriously, and making informed decisions with experienced legal guidance.
At Cohen & Winters, we’ve helped countless young adults navigate these moments, protect their records, and move forward without derailing their goals.
One mistake doesn’t define you. But how you respond to it can shape what comes next. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you determine the best course of action for your needs.