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Boating is popular in Maine, with 3,500 miles of coastline and innumerable coves, bays, harbors, and inlets, as well as more than 2,000 coastal islands and nearly 2,300 square miles of inland water area, including rivers and lakes. People are out on the water every day, either for work or recreation.
With boating being such a significant activity in Maine, it is no surprise that boating under the influence of alcohol is a common crime in the state. The BUI laws largely mirror those state laws governing driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, with similar penalties. If you are accused of violating Maine’s BUI laws, you should consult an attorney with experience in BUI cases. The boating-under-the-influence attorneys of The Maine Criminal Defense Group are ready to help.
Maine’s laws regulating boating under the influence adopt the standards for the state’s driving-under-the-influence statues. It is illegal to operate any motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, whether it is a car or a boat. Doing so can result in charges of operating under the influence (OUI).
However, Maine has a separate law that specifically prohibits boating under the influence (BUI).
You can be charged with BUI if you are operating a watercraft while you are impaired by drugs or alcohol or have a blood alcohol content of at least .08 percent. If your BAC is significantly higher than .08 percent, the possible penalties for are even more stringent. Boat operators under age 21 can face charges for having any amount of alcohol in their systems.
The penalties for OUI can be harsh. This is usually a Class D misdemeanor charge for a first offense, and potential penalties include:
You want to present a strong defense to any BUI charges, as prosecutors in Maine take these cases very seriously.
Just as you wouldn’t ignore a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, nor should you ignore a charge of boating under the influence. You should immediately seek legal assistance. The BUI attorneys of The Maine Criminal Defense Group are ready to help you.
If you are facing criminal charges in Maine, the attorneys at The Maine Criminal Defense Group are here to help. Call our office to speak with
one of our team members, who will discuss your case with you and set up a consultation with one of our attorneys
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