College pranks can be amusing, and many look back fondly on the fun they had in their university days. Much of the fun on and off campus may involve the consumption of alcohol, and it is not unusual for things to get out of control. A recent incident on the Louisiana State University campus may have started as a prank, but it came to a bad end for three men from a neighboring town who may now be preparing a criminal defense.
Campus police saw security footage around 2:30 a.m. of three men driving a John Deere utility vehicle from a locker room at LSU’s football stadium. The three allegedly drove the vehicle around the campus streets for several blocks before officers stopped them. Two of the men apparently jumped from the vehicle and attempted to run.
When police questioned the men, ages 21 and 22, officers say they refused to admit where they had gotten the vehicle although the vehicle had Louisiana State University tags and markings indicating it belonged to the university football staff. The man who was driving the vehicle agreed to submit to field sobriety tests and a breath test. The results of the blood alcohol test allegedly showed him to be more than twice the legal limit of .08.
The value of the vehicle and the excessive BAC may make matters difficult for the young men, who are apparently not registered students at the university. While this event may seem like something they will all laugh about in years to come, the fact is that the serious nature of the charges against them could derail their future. In similar situations, many benefit from a strong criminal defense.