The Law Offices of Yale L. Galanter, P.A. hope you had a fun and relaxing Columbus Day Weekend. Were you one of the thousands of people who took their sea legs for a spin and participated in Miami’s Columbus Day Regatta? If so, we hope the only memento of the regatta you came back to shore with was a great tan. However, if you were charged with a BUI (boating under the influence) for operating a boat while intoxicated, then it is in your best interests to consult with a Miami criminal defense lawyer who has experience with defending clients against BUI charges. Under no circumstances should you plead guilty to a BUI charge without speaking to a Miami criminal defense lawyer first. You only have a short window of time to find suitable legal representation at a Miami criminal defense law firm, so it is imperative that you act fast.
The Florida courts take BUI charges seriously due, in part, to the unfortunate fact that Florida has more annual recreational boating deaths than any other state and that one third of these recreational boating fatalities are alcohol related.
Law enforcement officers that make BUI arrests often have to make extremely difficult judgment calls when deciding whether the operator of the boat is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Even the most experienced and highly trained officers can make mistakes. While it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while drinking, it is not illegal to operate a boat while drinking. Also, it is easy for officers to mistakenly overestimate the boat operator’s level of impairment due to their erratic boat driving since erratic boat driving can be caused by other factors such as a lack of familiarity with driving a boat (people usually have much more familiarity and experience driving motor vehicles than they do boats) or distractions such as swimmers, other boaters, or marine life. Also, a boat operator’s impairment may be intensified due to marine factors or weather conditions such as sea salt, wind, motion sickness, choppy waters, fog, and engine noise and vibrations.
If you or someone you know is facing criminal charges for Florida boating under the influence, the experienced Miami criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Yale L. Galanter, P.A. offer the best chance at having the BUI charges reduced or in the best case scenario, even dropped.
Contact us by email at ali@galanterlaw.com or call us at 305-576-0244 or 954-524-6600 anytime day or night for more information or to set up your consultation today.
If you have been arrested for DUI or traffic crimes such as:
- DUI Manslaughter
- Culpable Negligence
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident, or Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Injury and/or Property Damage
- Reckless Driving
- Careless Driving
- Speeding
- Unlawful Turn
- Disobey Traffic Control Device
Don’t delay. You need to contact a traffic crime attorney, today.
If you are charged with DUI or a BUI and then convicted you could lose your job, driving privileges, and your freedom. A criminal record not only affects you—it affects your family and friends. That’s why choosing the right attorney is critical. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you reduce your charges, or have them dropped. If you need legal help, contact the Law Offices of Yale Galanter, P.A., today. Call Yale Galanter at (305)576-0244 or (954)524-6600, or browse through the rest of our site.