Boating While Intoxicated (BWI)
Think that state DWI laws don’t apply when you are on the water? Think again. Commonly known as a BWI or BUI, New Jersey law enforcement has the authority to pull a boat operator over under suspicion of alcohol or drugs and ultimately charge the operator with a BWI.
N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 and N.J.S.A. 12:7-46 provides the authority to attach serious (and lasting) penalties to those boat drivers who are impaired by drugs or alcohol while on the water. Boating accidents can be just as disastrous as a driving accident, and an impaired driver greatly enhances the possibility of an accident. With that in mind, it is no wonder that the state patrols the water heavily for any sign of an impaired driver.
A day on a boat is supposed to be a fun getaway, if you have been charged with a New Jersey BWI, get in touch with the Law Offices of Thomas Carroll Blauvelt, LLC, right away.The sooner you act on the charges against you, the better. Not much different than how police determine whether a driver of a car is intoxicated, when you are suspected of BWI, you will also be pulled over and usually will be asked to perform a variety of field sobriety tests in order for the authorities to determine if they have reasonable cause to investigate further. The “per se” BAC level is the same for boating as it is for driving, .08%; and police will determine this via the same breath or chemical tests they use in a DWI investigation.
As you can see, a New Jersey BWI and DWI are very much the same. So too are the severe penalties attached to these conviction, including: heavy fines, jail time, suspended license, community service and probation. One area that a BWI may seem even more severe than a DWI is the potential for the judge in your case to take away both your boating and driving privileges for a period of given time. Of course, the best suggestion for avoiding a BWI is to not drink if you are going to be operating a boat. The second-best suggestion is to get in touch with an experienced BWI/DWI attorney to help you with your case. The penalties attached to a New Jersey BUI conviction are too severe to simply accept the charges against you.
Available 24/7 To Take Your Call
The state of New Jersey is always looking for drivers who have had too much to drink while driving their boat. With over 28 years of experience dealing with all kinds of alcohol-related offenses, I have successfully had cases dismissed or reduced and will fight hard to get you the results you want. If you are dealing with a BWI charge, give the Law Offices of Thomas Carroll Blauvelt, LLC, a call today. I am available seven days a week, and your initial consultation is always free of charge. I am here to answer any questions you have about the charges against you. I look forward to speaking with you, so call 877-676-7729.
