Not everyone realizes that operating-under-influence charges in Lafayette, LA can be filed for driving vehicles other than cars, vans, sport utility vehicles and trucks. Boating while intoxicated, a charge that is filed less often, still can occur when someone is caught operating watercraft with an illegal blood alcohol level.
The Same Laws Apply
The laws are the same as for operating vehicles on the road. The blood alcohol content, or BAC, is illegal if it is .08 percent or higher. For people under age 21, the law is even stricter, at .02 percent or higher.
Operating any motorized vehicle in a public area can lead to OUI charges if the driver has blood alcohol content indicating intoxication that makes this activity unsafe. That includes not only boats but personal watercraft. It includes not only cars and trucks but all-terrain vehicles.
Effects on the Automotive Driver’s License
A conviction of operating-under-influence charges in Lafayette, LA in this type of scenario can have serious effects on the automotive driver’s license too. The person is likely to have that license suspended along with the boating license. This can be a hardship for someone who counts on driving to work or for other obligations, and never dreamed that drinking while boating could lead to this penalty.
More Serious Charges
Most commonly, a person charged with operating a boat while intoxicated has caused an accident. It’s not as easy for law enforcement officials to detect an intoxicated boat driver out on the water as it is to spot a drunk driver behind the wheel of a car. When this happens, the person has even bigger problems because the charges filed will be more serious.
Seeking Legal Representation
For some people, an arrest while boating is their first realization that the laws for drinking and operating a motor vehicle are the same for watercraft as for cars. They may need a lawyer such as Chris Richard if they want to fight the charges and perhaps be able to negotiate with the prosecuting attorney. Information on this particular attorney can be found at Chrisrichardattorney.com. You can also watch video on their YouTube channel.
