Leesburg Boating DUI Attorney

Skilled Legal Advocacy for Those Facing Charges

In Florida, operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is illegal. If you were charged with this offense, you could be looking at fines and jail time. Because the state’s laws are complex and dynamic, it’s important to have a skilled lawyer on your side who can guide you through the process and provide sound legal advice every step of the way.

At the Law Office of Jody L. Fisher, we are ready to provide the aggressive defense you need to fight charges and avoid the consequences of a conviction. Our lawyer has over 17 years of experience and served as a prosecutor. With this unique insight, we know how the other side prepares for cases and what they have to prove to land a conviction. We will leverage our knowledge and skills to develop a personalized legal strategy for your circumstance and challenge the evidence against you.

Discuss your case with us by calling (352) 503-4111.

Boating Under the Influence Defined

If you operate a boat and have a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher, or you have consumed an amount of drugs and/or alcohol that impairs your ability to safely control the vessel, you could be arrested for boating under the influence. However, if you are 21 years of age or younger, you cannot operate a boat with any drugs or alcohol in your system.

Although officers can typically tell who was driving a vehicle, when it comes to boats, the operator might not be so clear. As such, Florida Statute 372.02 defines an operator as the person in charge, command, or physical control of a vessel. That means if you own or rent a boat, you could be arrested for a DUI even if you weren’t steering it.

Penalties for a BUI

The punishments you could be facing for operating a boat while under the influence depend on your specific circumstances, such as having a prior conviction, being under 21 years of age, or causing an accident.

Generally, the potential conviction penalties for this offense are as follows:

• First BUI
  • Up to 6 months in jail
  • Up to $1,000 in fines
  • May be required to perform 50 hours of community service
• Second BUI
  • Up to 9 months in jail
  • Up to $2,000 in fines
  • Probation
  • Vessel impounded
• Third BUI within 10 years of a previous conviction
  • Up to 5 years in prison
  • Up to $5,000 in fines
  • Vessel impounded for 90 days

For each offense, the fines and jail times increase if:

• You had a BAC of .15 or higher
• You were transporting a passenger 18 years of age or younger
• You caused an accident involving property damage, bodily injury, and/or death

Get Dedicated Legal Counsel on Your Side

At Law Office of Jody L. Fisher, our Leesburg boating DUI attorney knows that being charged with an offense can be a frightening experience. That is why we will be committed to providing the legal support you need throughout your case. When you hire our team, we will get to know you and your side of the story to build a defense that effectively tells the facts from your perspective. We will work vigorously on your behalf to protect your rights and best interests.

Schedule a case consultation today by calling us at (352) 503-4111 or contacting us online.