Everyone enjoys a day out on the water. While it may seem harmless to have one or two drinks while behind the wheel, drinking on the water can have a serious impact on a boater’s ability to drive. Southern Minnesota applies the same DUI standards to boaters that it does to drivers. If you’re caught intoxicated while driving a boat, you risk both jail time and significant fines. These consequences will compound if you have a previous record of reckless behavior.
Fortunately, you can challenge any boating under the influence charges brought against you. Connect with a Mankato boating accident lawyer, such as the ones at Knutson + Casey, to learn more about the legal options available for you.
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Minnesota law interprets any individual actively driving a boat with an elevated BAC to be operating a vehicle while under the influence. According to Minnesota Civil Statute §169A.51, boat drivers cannot safely operate their vehicles if they have a BAC of over 0.08.
Law enforcement retains the right to test the BAC of anyone seen driving a boat on one of Minnesota’s many lakes. Parties who refuse to take these tests may face exacerbated consequences if they are arrested.
The consequences for boating while under the influence mirror those that drivers may face while on the road. These offenses vary in severity but grow more serious if a person has a pre-existing criminal record.
A person’s first DUI offense can result in facing jail time of up to 90 days and fines of up to $1,000, or under some circumstances up to 1 year in jail and up to a $3000 fine. However, anyone charged with a felony DUI may face a prison sentence of up to seven years and fines of up to $14,000.
It is also important to note that all of these charges can also result in the accused being subjected to mandatory electronic home monitoring or remote electronic alcohol monitoring. The consequences also grow more severe if any alleged intoxication resulted in a person’s death or injury. The state elaborates on these consequences in Minnesota Statute §609.2113.
It is never a good idea to challenge DUI accusations without a lawyer present. Parties who try to argue their own defense can often end up compounding their cases’ consequences. Comparatively, Mankato attorneys who handle boating under the influence can represent their clients both in and out of court.
When defending a client against DUI charges, attorneys can challenge the evidence gathered at the scene of the incident. In most states, a person must actively be at the wheel of a vehicle to be charged with boating under the influence. If a client wasn’t actively driving at the time of an arrest, then a legal team can possibly lessen the charges brought against them or have the charges dismissed.
Do not complicate your DUI defense by trying to do it alone. If you are accused of boating under the influence in Mankato, Minnesota, let the team at Knutson + Casey fight for you.
For more information about the legal services available to you, call Knutson + Casey at (507) 344-8888 or by filling out our contact form. We’ve helped thousands with their defense, and our Southern Minnesota team is ready to help you defend yourself in court.