Mooresville Boating DUI Lawyer

Mooresville Boating DUI Attorney

As a North Carolina community in close proximity to Lake Norman, the town of Mooresville is a popular boating destination for residents and visitors. For many boaters, a day of floating on the lake is an ideal activity to share with friends and family. However, a boat trip can turn into an unfortunate event with serious consequences if the driver of the boat is intoxicated. If this happens to you or a loved one, you need a Mooresville boating DUI lawyer to defend your case.

The Law Office of William T. Corbett, Jr., P.L.L.C., serves clients involved in a wide range of criminal defense cases, including boating DUI cases. If you are facing a boating under the influence, or BUI, charge in Mooresville, North Carolina, our legal team can help. North Carolina BUI convictions carry significant legal repercussions. As such, our law team takes a proactive approach to defending clients who have been charged with a BUI.

Understanding North Carolina Boating DUI Laws

Some people might be surprised to learn that you can get a DUI for operating a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol in North Carolina. According to state alcohol laws, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol content, or BAC, level of 0.08% or higher for persons over the age of 21. You can also be charged with a BUI if you are impaired by another intoxicating substance.

This law does not just apply to motorized boats. You can get a DUI in North Carolina for operating the following types of watercraft while intoxicated:

• Surfboards or boogie boards
• Water skis
• Paddleboards
• Paddle boats
• Sailboats

The boating DUI laws in North Carolina are specific to boat or watercraft operators. It is not illegal for a person who is 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages on a boat in most cases in North Carolina, but it is against the law for the person driving or steering the boat to do so while impaired by drugs or alcohol. While passengers over the age of 21 can enjoy adult beverages on your boat, it is important for the vessel operator to remain below the legal limit throughout the duration of the boating excursion.

Penalties for Boating Under the Influence in North Carolina

Law enforcement officials in North Carolina take BUI cases as seriously as cases of driving a motor vehicle under the influence in most instances. The penalties for BUI can be significant for the person convicted of the crime.
A BUI conviction for impaired boating can be a misdemeanor or a felony criminal offense, depending on the convicted person’s criminal history. It will almost certainly be a felony if they cause physical harm to other people while operating the boat or watercraft while above the legal BAC limit.

If you are convicted of a BUI in North Carolina, you could be punished with having to pay hundreds to thousands of dollars in fines. Additionally, you could be facing weeks, months, or even years in jail or prison, depending on the severity of your conviction.

Having criminal charges like a BUI on your record could make it harder for you to pass background checks, which can limit your career options and earning potential. This is why it is so important to consider hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney who has a background in helping clients involved in BUI cases in Moorehead, and throughout North Carolina. The legal team at The Law Office of William T. Corbett, Jr., P.L.L.C., has the experience you can trust for a BUI case.

FAQs

Q: What Happens If You Get a DUI on a Boat in NC?

A: What will happen if you get a DUI on a boat in Mooresville, North Carolina will depend on the circumstances of your arrest and your previous criminal background. In general, boating under the influence, or BUI, can result in similar consequences to a DUI for driving a motor vehicle under the influence. First-offense BUI charges are generally misdemeanor criminal offenses that could involve fines and jail time, but a BUI could qualify as a felony in certain instances.

Q: What Is the BWI Law in NC?

A: The BWI, or boating while intoxicated, law in North Carolina is that it is illegal for individuals operating a boat or watercraft to do so with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher or while under the influence of other impairing substances. Multiple law enforcement agencies have the authority to arrest boat operators for BWI, including U.S. Coast Guard officers, Department of Natural Resources officers, and others.

Q: What Happens If You Get a BWI in North Carolina?

A: What happens if you get a BWI in North Carolina varies from one case to the next. However, a BWI is a criminal offense, and it has the potential to make it difficult for those convicted of it to pass a criminal background check. The consequences of boating while intoxicated in North Carolina can be significant and might include costly fines and jail time, even for first-time offenders. If you’ve been charged with a BWI, consider hiring a criminal defense attorney.

Q: What Is the Fine for Operators Who Are Convicted of Boating While Intoxicated for the First Time in NC?

A: The fine for operators who are convicted of boating while intoxicated, or BWI, for the first time in North Carolina depends on several factors. The criminal background of the person convicted of the BWI can affect the amount of fines that the court requires them to pay. In general, the fines for a person convicted of a BWI for the first time in North Carolina range between hundreds to thousands of dollars. A BWI charge is a criminal charge that should be taken seriously.

Your Mooresville Boating DUI Lawyer

The team at The Law Office of William T. Corbett, Jr., P.L.L.C., can work with you to understand the unique circumstances of your boating DUI. Then, we can develop a legal strategy for defending your case. A boating DUI conviction in North Carolina can have significant consequences that impact multiple areas of your life. Contact us today to request a meeting with an attorney from our office.