Boating Under the Influence

Boating is a popular pastime and way of life in Florida. There are many miles of beaches, lakes and tributaries where watercraft are plentiful. Law enforcement officials have recently ramped up their efforts to enforce the state laws against boating under the influence (BUI). The laws are very similar to those for vehicles, and drivers must comply with blood alcohol content (BAC) requirements just the same. If you have been charged with a BUI and you live in Sarasota or must appear in a Sarasota County court, contact the BUI experts at Musca Law to handle your case.

Violations on the Water

A BUI arrest can happen on any waterway. This includes the Gulf, the bays, rivers and any of the waters stretching along ocean beaches. Officers have few restrictions on their ability to board boats and watercraft. They are allowed to check for safety devices and, as a result, conduct routine searches. This makes it harder to defend a BUI charge.

It is still possible to successfully defend a Sarasota BUI, but the attorney must be skilled and experienced to obtain the best results. With careful research and collection of all of the important information in your case, your Sarasota DUI Lawyer at Musca Law can help. For example, if you took a breath test, you have a change of avoiding conviction. DUI breath tests are notorious for being even more inaccurate on the water than they are on the roadside.

Our skilled Sarasota DUI attorneys can have evidence suppressed in pre-trial motions. In other words, the evidence can’t be used against you in court. We may be able to negotiate a lesser charge and a lesser penalty for first-time offenders. This could result in a citation of “reckless operation” rather than a BUI conviction, which can be life-altering.

BUI is a serious offense and carries the same gravity as a DUI, with many of the same consequences. Make sure you have a strong Sarasota BUI attorney in your corner. Contact Musca Law today.