What You Should Know About Boating Under the Influence

Much like driving a car while drunk, if a person operates a boat or watercraft while under the influence of drugs or alcohol they stand to be arrested and charged with boating under the influence (BUI).

California considers a person too intoxicated to operate a boat or watercraft when their blood alcohol concentration is at or above .08%. Similar to a commercial DUI, it is illegal for any person working on a commercial watercraft vessel to have a BAC at or above .04%.

In regards to recreational boaters, it's easy to get carried away when a enjoying a day out on the lake, river, or ocean. As the sun begins to shine and the heats sets in, it's tempting to reach for that cold beer. Surprisingly, it is not illegal to carry alcohol on a personal watercraft. The owner of the boat or watercraft can have alcohol on the vessel, he or she just cannot get drunk to the point where their BAC level rises to .08% or more.

Penalties for BUI

The penalties for boating under the influence are quite similar to those for driving under the influence. Anyone convicted of BUI could be sentenced to jail, large fines, probation, etc.  Furthermore, should you be arrested for BUI, DUI or DUI of drugs in the future, the BUI could count as a prior offense, escalating your charges to repeat offender status.

Contact an Orange County BUI Attorney

Thousands of people throughout Orange County take advantage of the county's proximity to the Pacific Ocean, lakes and rivers. If you are planning to spend time out on the water, make sure you designate a sober boater to act as the designated driver. In the event that you are arrested for boating under the influence, you can trust a skilled and dedicated Orange County BUI lawyer at the Law Offices of Virginia L. Landry to put up an aggressive defense and negotiate for a reduction or dismissal of the charges.

For more information about our services, please contact the office today by calling (877) DUI-QUEEN!