BUI (Boating Under the Influence)

BUI, or boating under the influence, is the act of operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The legal limit in most states for BUI charges is .08%, meaning that an individual who is found to be operating a boat with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher may be charged with this offense. Operating a boat while under the influence of narcotics may also result in criminal charges. A law enforcement officer who notices a boat moving erratically or who arrives at the scene of a boating accident may find that he or she has probable cause to flag the vessel down and perform chemical and field tests to determine whether the boat operator has alcohol or drugs in his or her system. Depending on the results of these tests, the officer may make an arrest for BUI.

The penalties for BUI, though they may vary from state to state, are generally similar to those imposed for DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated/impaired). The boat operator may face time in jail, fines, community service and probation. Enhanced penalties may be enforced if the boat operator is accused of causing a boating accident that results in injury to another person.

BUI charges are taken seriously throughout the United States, particularly due to the large number of boating accidents which occur due to intoxication. Whether this occurred in a lake, river, or in the ocean, boating under the influence may lead to serious penalties that will impact various areas of the defendant's life.

Discuss your options in the face of BUI charges with a legal professional. Click here to find a criminal defense lawyer in your area.