A boating under the influence charge is not that different from a driving under the influence charge. Both charges can result in the loss of your driver’s license, both charges could end in your spending time in jail depending on the circumstances, and both charges could leave you with a mark on your criminal history and numerous financial penalties and other financial consequences.
To avoid getting in trouble with the law related to a boating under the influence charge, you may want to keep the following in mind:
Be especially mindful on holiday weekends: During the Memorial Day, Labor Day and Fourth of July weekends, boaters should be extra careful when operating their watercraft. For one, numerous people get injured and killed as a result of drunk driving and drunk boating on these popular weekends. Furthermore, police will be out in full force carrying out their intoxicated driving and intoxicated boating enforcement efforts.
Educate yourself on the law: Boaters who know the ins and outs of boating under the influence laws have a better chance of following the law and not getting arrested for a serious legal offense. Also, if you leave North Carolina — perhaps to do some boating in Tennessee — make sure you know the BUI laws in this state too.
Require life vests for everyone on board: It doesn’t matter if you’re a great swimmer. The force of a boating accident could knock you unconscious and leave you in the water unable to swim. Countless boating accidents and deaths could have been avoided if boaters and their passengers had been wearing floatation safety vests.
Those accused of boating while intoxicated in North Carolina should remember that they are entitled to a criminal defense and a lawyer. A criminal defense lawyer may be able to help you navigate your legal matter in a way that lessens the chance and or severity of punishments.
Source: FindLaw, “Boating Under the Influence Basics,” accessed Sep. 08, 2017