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Long Beach Attorney for Boating While Intoxicated (BWI)

“I didn’t know it was illegal!”

We hear it all the time from clients; they just didn’t know that drunk driving laws apply to boats too. Well for the record, you can be charged with DUI for operating any motor-running vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you or your loved one has been arrested for driving drunk while in a boat, hire one of our Long Beach DUI attorneys as soon as possible.

Any type of erratic boating such as speeding, right of way violations, or suspicious driving that catches the attention of harbor police could get you into legal trouble.

Sometimes referred to as Boating Under the Influence, BUI is handled in a similar manner as automobile DUI. If you are found operating a boat with a BAC level above the legal limit of .08%, you will be arrested.

Field officers will typically ask a serious of questions; administer field sobriety tests, or a chemical sobriety test. While similar to DUI in legislative language, BUI typically does not result in more than a few days in jail and a minor to moderate fine.

However, it is still in your best interest to a hire a DUI lawyer to eliminate these consequences altogether. If convicted of BUI, it will appear on your criminal record as well as count as a priorable offense. This means for instance that if in the future you are arrested for an automobile DUI, your charge could be bumped up to a felony because of a prior drunk driving offense.

Contact our firm of Long Beach DUI attorneys for an immediate consultation.