BUI Laws in Florida
Any attorney in St. Petersburg will tell you that is not illegal to consume a drink prior to operating a vessel, nor is it illegal to have open containers of alcohol on your vessel. You cannot, however, operate your vessel while intoxicated, otherwise you could get a BUI. Specifically, Florida Statute 327.35 provides that a person is guilty of a BUI if he or she operates a vessel in the state’s waters, and any one of the following is true:
- Blood-alcohol level is 0.08 or more grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood
- Breath-alcohol level is 0.08 or more grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath
- The operator is under the influence of alcohol or drugs “to the extent that the person’s normal faculties are impaired.”
Penalties for a BUI
A first-time conviction for a BUI can mean a $1,000 fine and up to six months’ imprisonment. A second conviction can mean a $2,000 fine and nine months’ imprisonment. On the fourth BUI, the state upgrades the charges to a third-degree felony, which means five years’ imprisonment and a $5,000 fine.
If the vessel operator was under the influence and caused damage to someone’s property or injury or death to someone, the charges and penalties will increase. BUI-related damage to property, for example, is considered a first-degree misdemeanor, and BUI-related death (manslaughter) is considered a second-degree felony. Connect with a lawyer in St. Petersburg for more information on these types of penalties.
Defending Against BUI Charges
There are several defenses that may be applicable to a BUI case. For instance, note the last bullet point above: You can be charged with a BUI if the FWC officer believes you are intoxicated to the point that your normal faculties are impaired. However, there are numerous factors that can affect your faculties and may increase the effect of alcohol, such as the sun, dehydration, wind conditions, etc.
Because there is a certain amount of discretion involved in determining the extent of intoxication, a judgment error on the officer’s part is quite possible. Officials may make mistakes when administering a breathalyzer test or when taking blood samples or there may be flaws with the testing devices itself or when transporting the sample.
Call a BUI Attorney in St. Petersburg Today
Keep in mind that it is important to speak to an attorney before you provide any statements to the FWC officer, Coast Guard, local law enforcement officer or any other official. You don’t want to say anything that could incriminate you. If you have been charged with a BUI, you are welcome to call our St. Petersburg BUI lawyers at Goldman Wetzel for help defending against the charges. We will review the circumstances of your case and determine the best way to obtain the best possible outcome for you.
With a solid defense, it’s possible that BUI charges may be mitigated or dropped, or penalties may be reduced. Call today to schedule a free consultation.