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BOATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
The Puget Sound is abundant with waterways, lakes and ocean
access. Many own watercraft or know someone whom owns
watercraft. On a gorgeous sunny summer day Lake Washington,
Lake Sammamish and popular locations like Alki are buzzing
with ski boats, waverunners and yachts.
Our region even celebrates our close relationship with the
water through various community festivals such as
Seafair,
Tastin’ n Racin’ and Opening Day. The State of Washington
strives to keep the waterways safe and enacted criminal laws
penalizing certain conduct while operating a vessel.
A "Vessel" includes every description of watercraft on the
water, other than a seaplane, used or capable of being used
as a means of transportation on the water.
RCW 79A.60.010.
Clearly, motorized vehicles and intoxicating liquor or drugs
can lead to serious accidents on our roadways. The same can
be said for operating watercraft under the influence.
Washington does enforce a Boating Under the Influence (BUI)
law. The individual operating a vessel on the water while
under the influence of intoxicating liquor and or drugs will
be prosecuted. The government must prove the vessel
operator provided a breath or blood sample of 0.08 or
higher. The government can also prove a BUI if the evidence
supports the operator is under the influence of the
intoxicating liquor and or drugs.
A BUI criminal conviction does not have the same
Mandatory
Penalties of a DUI. In fact, a BUI is not even a gross
misdemeanor. It is merely a misdemeanor carrying a maximum
penalty of 90 days in jail and or a $1,000.00 fine. A BUI
is still a criminal conviction, and is aggressively
enforced.
If you are arrested for Boating Under the Influence, contact
the experienced lawyers of
Kennedy &
Berner, LLP.
We will protect your interests.
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