An OWI arrest can create problems far beyond the criminal case.
Most Purdue students are surprised to learn they may be facing two separate proceedings:
These proceedings are separate.
They operate under different rules.
They have different goals.
They use different standards.
And they move on different timelines.
Because of this, one of the most important decisions a student can make is hiring an attorney who understands both the criminal case and the Purdue disciplinary process.
If you are a Purdue student charged with OWI, you are usually facing two separate matters: the criminal case and Purdue’s disciplinary process. The Purdue matter often moves faster than the criminal case and may result in sanctions before the criminal case is resolved. Understanding how the two proceedings interact is critical because mistakes made in one process can affect the other.
After an OWI arrest, many students focus exclusively on the criminal case.
That is understandable.
The possibility of a criminal conviction, driver’s license suspension, court appearances, and legal fees can be overwhelming.
However, Purdue’s disciplinary process is often just as important.
In many cases, Purdue’s process begins and concludes before the criminal case is resolved and often before the criminal Initial Hearing has even taken place.
Students who focus only on the criminal case often find themselves unprepared for the university proceeding.
The reality is that these are two separate matters that require two separate strategies.
Purdue student OWI cases are filed in Tippecanoe Superior Court 6.
Issues commonly include:
Driver’s license suspension
Specialized Driving Privileges
Ignition interlock requirements
Alcohol and drug evaluations
Court appearances
Criminal record concerns
One of the most important issues immediately after charges are filed is protecting driving privileges.
Many students mistakenly believe nothing significant happens until the Initial Hearing or when the case is resolved.
That is often not true in Tippecanoe County.
One of the biggest mistakes we see is waiting until the Initial Hearing to hire an attorney.
This often occurs before the Initial Hearing.
If a person waits until the court date to seek legal advice, valuable time may already have been lost.
Depending on the circumstances, an attorney may be able to:
File a Notice of Stay the suspension.
Seek Specialized Driving Privileges
Negotiate a zero or short-term suspension in lieu of the default 180-day chemical test failure suspension.
Address license issues before the suspension is processed by the BMV
The earlier a lawyer becomes involved, the more options may be available.
Purdue’s disciplinary process is separate from the criminal case.
This point cannot be overstated.
One of the biggest surprises for students and parents is learning that the Purdue proceeding does not operate like criminal court.
The university has different goals.
The university uses different procedures.
The university applies different standards.
Legal defenses do not apply in University disciplinary hearings.
And the university can impose sanctions even while the criminal case remains pending.
The outcome of the Purdue proceeding is unrelated to what ultimately happens in criminal court.
Students should not assume that the outcome in one proceeding impacts the outcome in the other.
The type of Purdue proceeding often depends on the student’s disciplinary history.
Students with little or no disciplinary history are commonly assigned a Conduct Conference.
The purpose is generally educational and corrective rather than punitive.
The conference typically focuses on:
Student decision-making
Alcohol use
Personal accountability
Educational sanctions
For many first-time discipline cases, the Conduct Conference is the most common process. At a Conduct Conference, suspension or expulsion are not possible outcomes.
Students with prior discipline history may be referred to a Community Standards Board (CSB) hearing.
This becomes more likely when a student:
Has prior disciplinary matters
Is currently on disciplinary probation or probated suspension
Is already subject to university sanctions
Students already on probated suspension face significantly greater risk.
Suspension or expulsion are possible outcomes when a Community Standards Board hearing is assigned following an OWI arrest.
Many students assume the Purdue hearing is simply a smaller version of criminal court.
It is not.
The preparation is different.
The objectives are different.
The standards are different.
The issues Purdue considers are often different than those being addressed in the criminal case.
Students frequently arrive at a Conduct Conference focused entirely on legal defenses while Purdue is focused on responsibility, safety, education, and future conduct.
Understanding those differences can significantly affect how a student prepares.
Many students assume they can wait until the Initial Hearing.
By then, important license issues may already be developing.
Purdue disciplinary deadlines can move quickly.
Ignoring emails or delaying responses can make the situation worse.
Students sometimes believe minimizing or denying facts will help.
In reality, providing inaccurate information can create additional disciplinary problems and damage credibility.
Credibility often becomes one of the most important issues in university proceedings.
The Purdue process is not criminal court.
Students who fail to understand that distinction often prepare incorrectly.
Some attorneys understand criminal defense.
Others understand student discipline.
Because the Purdue process and criminal case often overlap, it is important to understand how decisions in one matter may affect the other.
One of the most valuable opportunities for Purdue students involves coordinating Purdue sanctions with the criminal case.
At the same time, the criminal case often involves a Tippecanoe Court Services alcohol and drug evaluation and recommended counseling.
Students often assume they must complete both.
In many cases, that is not necessary.
An attorney who understands both systems can often negotiate for completion of the Calla Collaborative Health program to satisfy the alcohol-programming requirement in the criminal case.
This can allow a student to complete one program rather than two.
Benefits may include:
Less duplication
Reduced expense
Reduced time commitment
Online completion options during school breaks
This does not happen automatically.
The issue must be identified and addressed and negotiated.
Many Purdue students hold driver’s licenses from states other than Indiana.
This creates additional issues after an OWI arrest.
Indiana cannot control what another state’s licensing agency ultimately does.
As a result, timing becomes important.
A student may face Indiana court-related driving restrictions while a separate process eventually develops in the home state.
Students with out-of-state licenses should seek advice early because delays can create practical problems that continue long after the criminal case appears resolved.
Many Purdue students are under age 21.
Indiana has a separate underage OWI law.
A student under 21 who tests at .02 or higher can face legal consequences even though the reading is below the traditional .08 threshold.
This commonly occurs in situations involving:
Designated drivers
Fraternity events
Sorority events
Sporting events
Parties
Late-night trips for food
Many students genuinely believe they are acting responsibly and do not realize they are creating legal risk.
Yes, if a Community Standards Board (“CSB”) panel hearing is assigned. However, when a student faces a first time OWI offense, the student is typically assigned a Conduct Conference where suspension or expulsion are not possible outcomes. Under either type of hearing, if a violation is found, Purdue will impose educational sanctions in addition to the primary sanction.
A Conduct Conference is Purdue’s disciplinary process commonly used for students with limited or no prior disciplinary history. It involves a meeting with a representative of the OSRR, where a determination of responsible or not responsible will be made.
A Community Standards Board Hearing is a more formal disciplinary process often used when a student has prior disciplinary history or faces more serious concerns. CSB hearings take place before a panel comprised of 3 students and 2 faculty where suspension and expulsion are possible outcomes.
Purdue has a system in place to check for arrests of students. Students should assume the university will become aware of an OWI arrest if it took place in Tippecanoe County.
Generally, not, but it still must be evaluated. Purdue records are protected by FERPA and are private. Conduct conference are not recorded, but CSB panel hearings are recorded. It is very rare for the Prosecutor’s Office to seek to subpoena University disciplinary records.
The Purdue sanctions can become relevant in plea negotiations with the deputy prosecutor. This is particularly true in dealing with substance abuse education or treatment.
Admissions and statements should always be carefully considered. Purdue records are private and protected by FERPA. However, students should understand how the university process differs from the criminal case before participating. Gibson Law Office has been representing Purdue students since 1999 and can explain how to best approach the criminal and university processes.
Not necessarily. In many cases, an attorney can seek to coordinate these requirements, so the student completes only one program rather than two.
If you are a Purdue student facing an OWI charge:
The earlier a student understands both systems, the more opportunities usually exist to protect educational goals, driving privileges, and future opportunities.
If you are a Purdue student charged with OWI, Gibson Law Office can help you understand both the criminal case and the university disciplinary process.
We regularly represent Purdue students facing Conduct Conferences, Community Standards Board Hearings, and criminal OWI charges in Tippecanoe County.
Our goal is to help students protect their education, driving privileges, and future.
You need to act fast to protect your rights. Certain defenses and motions must be filed prior to deadlines set by the court. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys will develop a strategy to attack the evidence in your case. Schedule a free consultation now.
© Copyright 2026 Gibson Law | All rights reserved | Privacy policy | Terms of use
