Boating Under the Influence

St. Petersburg BUI Lawyer

The Morris Law Firm can help and has specific knowledge and experience as a Boating Under the Influence (BUI) defense attorney. Attorney Melinda Morris served on the DUI Manslaughter / Vehicular Homicide Squad while a State Attorney, and was responsible for prosecuting very serious DUI and BUI cases from investigation through trial. As well, Ms. Morris received special training on prosecuting DUI and BUI cases from the State of Florida. For a BUI Lawyer, this inside knowledge is of critical importance and can benefit the defense of your case.

Boating Under the Influence (BUI)

as defined in Florida Statue 327.35 is:

1. A person is guilty of the offense of boating under the influence if the person is operating a vessel within this state and:
   1. The person is under the influence of alcoholic beverages, any chemical substance set forth in s. 877.111, or any substance controlled under chapter 893, when affected to the extent that the person's normal faculties are impaired;
   2. The person has a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 or more; or
   3. The person has a breath-alcohol level of 0.08 or more.

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You have a very narrow window of time between when you are arrested and when the State Attorney's office makes a decision to file a criminal charge against you. Hiring an attorney immediately to negotiate on your behalf gives you the best chance of avoiding criminal charges.

Hire the Morris Law Firm and let us fight for you.

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You May:

• Face jail or prison time
• Face fines
• Face probation
• Face vessel impoundment or forfeiture
• Be required to attend substance-abuse treatment
• Be required to perform community service
• Be required to pay restitution
• Have a permanent criminal record

Potential Defenses include:

• Failure to Read Miranda Warnings
• Mistaken Identity
• "Under the influence" testing
• Blood-alcohol concentration issues
• Testing during the absorptive phase
• Retrograde extrapolation
• Regulation of blood-alcohol testing

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	What is the penalty for a first conviction of BUI?
	What is the penalty for a second conviction of BUI?
	What is the penalty for a third conviction (within 10 years) of BUI?
	What is the penalty for a fourth conviction of BUI?
	What if I have a previous conviction for DUI in addition to my recent BUI arrest?
	What makes BUI penalties more severe?
	What are the consequences of refusing to submit to a breath test in a BUI investigation?
	What are the consequences of BUI with Serious Bodily Injury and BUI Manslaughter?

	What is the penalty for a first conviction of BUI?
	Up to a $500 fine, up to six (6) months in jail, probation, community service hours, a substance abuse evaluation and treatment, and a ten (10) day impound of your vessel.
	What is the penalty for a second conviction of BUI?
	Up to a $1000 fine, up to nine (9) months in jail (10 days mandatory if second conviction within 5 years), probation, community service hours, a substance abuse evaluation and treatment, and a thirty (30) day impound of your vessel.
	What is the penalty for a third conviction (within 10 years) of BUI?
	A third conviction within ten (10) years becomes a felony, punishable by more than one (1) year in prison.
	What is the penalty for a fourth conviction of BUI?
	Any fourth conviction of Boating Under the Influence (regardless of time frame) is a felony and is punishable by more than one (1) year in prison.
	What if I have a previous conviction for DUI in addition to my recent BUI arrest?
	A previous conviction for DUI counts as an enhancement for a subsequent arrest and conviction of BUI.
	What makes BUI penalties more severe?
	What makes BUI penalties more severe? A breath test of .20 or higher, or Having a minor present on the vessel
	What are the consequences of refusing to submit to a breath test in a BUI investigation?
	Refusal to submit to a breath test in a BUI investigation can result in a $500 civil penalty.
	What are the consequences of BUI with Serious Bodily Injury and BUI Manslaughter?
	BUI with Serious Bodily Injury and BUI Manslaughter are felonies and are punishable similar to their DUI counterparts.

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Melinda Morris, a criminal defense attorney in St. Petersburg, is dedicated to defending Boating Under the Influence clients throughout Pinellas County and the entire Tampa Bay Area (St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Hillsborough, Pasco, Manatee, Sarasota, Polk).