Boating Under the Influence is now a major focus for law enforcement in Washington State. Our BUI attorneys know the law. Call now!

Boating under the Influence (BUI) in Washington State

Boating under the influence has many similarities to driving under the influence and the government has been increasing the penalties on BUIs to be closer to a DUI. Previously, the maximum penalty for a BUI conviction was “just” 90 days of jail and a $1,000 fine but they now are 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Whether you occasionally or frequently boat, it is important to prevent any type of criminal conviction off of your record, especially any which involve drugs or alcohol. Our Washington State BUI lawyers are here to answer your questions and help you prepare your case.

Just like with a DUI, the per se legal limit for blood alcohol content with a BUI is also .08 and there is also a marijuana THC legal limit of 5. Additionally, refusing to give a breath test is a class 1 civil infraction with a default penalty about of a $1,000 fine. This also will not prevent the officer from seeking a warrant to get a blood sample from you as well.

A BUI might not initially seem like a big deal because it is not has notorious as the similar DUI but every criminal charge should be taken seriously. The government continues to increase penalties on all drug and alcohol related crimes. 

A good Washington BUI attorney is not only familiar with our state's boating laws, but also knows how to properly review and evaluate a set of DUI police reports.  this is because the criminal investigations of both charges can be very similar here in Washington State.

In addition to the potential penalties briefly mentioned above, we cannot predict how future law changes may impact individuals who are convicted today. Contact the Offices of Jason Newcombe to discuss your Washington State BUI case during your free initial consultation.