A conviction for marijuana possession has more negative effects on a student's life than some might expect. After conviction, a person has a criminal record that can haunt them as they try to secure a good job after graduation. A conviction can, in some cases lead to academic sanctions, too.

These are things for one UGA student, recently for marijuana possession and DUI, to consider.

According to authorities, the 22-year-old student was driving erratically.

After the student supposedly made a number of traffic violations, he drove into a ditch. After the policeman on duty turned his emergency lights on, the student continued to drive the vehicle through the ditch, sending debris at the officer's car.

The student finally pulled off to the side of the road a few blocks away. The policeman believed that he had noticed the smell of burning marijuana coming from the vehicle. The student apparently told the officer that he hadn't gotten enough sleep and was taking a prescribed, controlled medication.

The student apparently repeatedly stated that he had just returned from a music festival. The officer then asked to see the student's driver's license and if he could search the vehicle for illegal substances and weapons. The student denied the search and did not have his license on him.

The officer instructed him to get out of the car for a field sobriety test.

The student had trouble stepping outside the vehicle and turning the car off at the same time. The officer reported that the student's eyes were glassy and was very fidgety. The student failed the sobriety test, after which the officer arrested the university student for DUI.

The officer then searched the vehicle and found a prescription bottle with marijuana inside.

One of the first things a defense attorney will do to protect a client's rights is to go over the details of the arrest and search to make sure the officer followed the law. Contact an experienced defense lawyer to make sure your rights and interests are protected.

Source: Red & Black, "Crime Notebook, Nov. 18 (w/ documents)," Nov. 18, 2011