Boating While Impaired
Boating While IMpaired
FIRST TIME BWI Offenders
First time BWI offenders face either up to 90 or 365 days in jail, depending on blood alcohol content. Also very significant for Minnesota Boaters is the loss of boating privileges for 3 months during the boating season (You will be notified by the Minnesota DNR).
AGGRAVATING FACTORS FOR BWI
If any of the following factors are present, the BWI automatically becomes a gross misdemeanor and you'll face up to a year in jail and/or a $3000 fine. What constitutes aggravating factors? The following:
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Boat drivers blood alcohol content of .20 or more;
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Prior DWI/BWI convictions in the last 10 years; or
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A child under the age of 16 on the boat at the time of the offense.
LICENSE REVOCATION ISSUES
A violator who has no qualified prior impaired driving incident is subject only to the loss of operating privileges for their boat for the relevant period of suspension. Any person arrested for a DWI violation involving a motorboat and who has a qualified prior impaired driving incident on record is subject to the same administrative sanctions and criminal penalties as the person would be if arrested while driving a regular motor vehicle.
BOATING WHILE INTOXICATED
Operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be even more dangerous than driving a car while impaired. Balance can be greatly affected by consuming alcohol and the operation of boat while under the influence can prove very difficult. In fact, in boating deaths involving alcohol use, over half the victims capsized their boats or fell into the water.
Call
ROSENGREN KOHLMEYER LAW OFFICE FOR A FREE CONSULTATIONIf you face BWI charges in Minnesota, you need to know your rights and you need to them immediately. You are under a very tight time limit for boat forfeiture, loss of license and jail.
Call 507-625-5000 today for a free consultation. Rosengren Kohlmeyer Law Office201 N. Broad Street, Suite 305
Mankato, Minnesota 56001
507-625-5000
www.rokolaw.com
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