DUI While Boating

If you drink alcohol while operating a boat, you may be arrested for DUI. A boating DUI can also stem from use of illegal drugs while you are in control of the boat. Like convictions for driving a car while intoxicated, a boating DUI can carry several severe consequences.

In Orlando, the DUI defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm have the knowledge and experience necessary to determine if your rights were violated during your arrest, and we will work tirelessly to find the best legal solution for you.

Arrests for Drinking while Boating

You can be arrested for DUI in many of Florida's waterways, including:

• The ocean
• Lakes
• Reservoirs
• Rivers
• Ponds

You can be stopped in any kind of water vessel, including jet skis and canoes. Your criminal consequences will depend on your degree of intoxication and whether any property damage or personal injury resulted from boating while intoxicated.

When you operate a boat in Florida, you have given your consent to be stopped by law enforcement officials. Any local law enforcement officers, and the US Coast Guard if you are boating in the ocean, can stop you and ask you to perform a Breathalyzer test or other kinds of field sobriety tests. Like motor vehicle laws, you can be arrested for boating DUI if you have a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher.

Alcohol consumption on-board a boat is not illegal. You can only be arrested for DUI if you are impaired because of drugs or alcohol.

Resolving your Boating DUI Arrest

At the Umansky Law Firm, our experienced DUI attorneys will investigate the details of your case to determine if any aspects of your arrest were carried out improperly. If you were in fact intoxicated while operating your boat, we will determine the legal strategy most likely to result in a positive outcome to your case.

If you are a first-time offender, you may be able to pursue reduced sentencing or dropped charges by participating in probation, community services or other programs. If it is best for you to enter a plea of guilty, we will fight against the harshest punishments and pursue reduced consequences for your DUI.

If you have been charged with DUI while boating in Florida, please contact the experienced Orlando DUI lawyers at the Umansky Law Firm to schedule a consultation.