Pascagoula Boating Under the Influence (BUI) Lawyer

Pascagoula Boating Under the Influence (BUI) Attorney

The state of Mississippi offers great waterways to enjoy by boat. Working boats, fishing boats, and recreational boats all enjoy the beautiful aquatic landscape in Mississippi, and due to the warmer climate of the state, these outdoor activities can be enjoyed virtually all year round. However, when an individual is operating a boat impaired by drugs or alcohol, accidents can occur, and a Pascagoula boating under the influence (BUI) lawyer will be essential.

Under Mississippi state law, boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious criminal offense, and the state prosecutors will take the conviction of these charges with heavy gravitas. You deserve a defense attorney who will take your freedoms and rights as a boater in the state with just as much seriousness. At Miller Law Offices, we are passionate about ensuring your rights and future as a boater are protected and upheld as you face these charges.

Understanding Boating Under the Influence (BUI) in Pascagoula, Mississippi

In the state of Mississippi, boating under the influence of alcohol occurs when an individual is found to be operating a watercraft powered by an engine of 25 horsepower or greater and has a blood alcohol content level that is of 0.08% or higher. This impairment can likely show up in the individual as poor coordination, blurred vision, impaired judgment, slurred speech, jerky or strange movements, and reaction times of a slower-than-normal nature.

The state of Mississippi does not just consider you to be guilty of a BUI if you are found to be operating a boat under the influence of alcohol. You can also be charged with a BUI if you are found to be operating your boat under the influence of marijuana, cocaine, other forms of illicit or illegal drugs, prescription medications, and over-the-counter drugs. There are specific medications that cause an individual to become drowsy, and this could be considered an impairment.

If you are stopped under the suspicion of boating while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, a law enforcement officer may, and most likely will, ask you to perform certain tests to ascertain whether or not to formally arrest and charge you with a BUI. These tests can include field sobriety tests or tests that take a chemical analysis of your blood, breath, or urine and show evidence that you are boating while under the influence of alcohol.

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Miller Law Offices: Your Strong Legal Defense for a BUI Charge

At Miller Law Offices, defense attorney Kyle Miller understands that this can be a difficult and trying time and that you are most likely feeling concerned and uncertain over your future, both personally and legally. Our team can allow you the confidence necessary to walk into any negotiation or litigation situation, knowing that you have the right legal counsel and representation on your side, ready to fight for your rights and freedoms.

With countless years of experience behind him, defense attorney Kyle Miller is ready to put that experience and his many resources to the task of taking on your case and building you a strong defense strategy that can stand up against the state’s prosecution. These can be tough cases, and the penalties that could potentially follow a conviction are severe and possibly life-altering. Do not face these legal battles alone. Let Kyle Miller fight for you.

Common Types of Accidents That Can Arise as a Result of Boating Under the Influence

There are many types of accidents that can occur when an individual is operating a boat under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Each one can have serious consequences, such as injury or the loss of life for an individual either operating the boat, inside the boat, or inside a separate boat. These charges are taken especially seriously by state prosecution. Common types of accidents that can happen due to boating under the influence include:

• Collisions with Other Vessels: The most common form of accident that can arise due to boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a collision with another boat on the waterway. This can not only cause severe damage to both vessels but can also result in the injury or even death of individuals on either boat.
• Capsizing: When an individual is operating a boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol, their judgment is impaired, and their reaction time can be slowed or jerky. Because of this, it may be easier for them to accidentally capsize the vessel or allow it to turn over or upside down, launching passengers into the water, which could result in drowning, hypothermia, or other ways in which an individual could become injured or even killed.
• Grounding: When a boat is being operated by an individual who is under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, it could be easier for them to accidently ground the vessel. Grounding occurs when a boat runs aground in shallow water or strikes underwater obstacles such as shoals, sandbanks, rocks, or coral reefs. This can cause damage to the watercraft and can also potentially lead to injuries of those onboard.
• Striking a Fixed Object: Just like a DUI, in a BUI charge, the individual allegedly in violation could be suffering blurry vision and poor reaction time, leading them to strike fixed objects such as docks, buoys, pilings, or piers. Not only can this damage the vessel, but it can also throw individuals overboard from the boat, resulting in the death or injury of these individuals.

Legal Consequences and Penalties for a BUI Conviction in Pascagoula, Mississippi

There can be many legal penalties and consequences for boating under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol in the state of Mississippi, and they can all vary in severity depending on the exact nature of the BUI charge and any extenuating circumstances, such as if there was injury done to another individual or if there was any loss of life as a result of the BUI. These legal consequences and penalties can often include the following:

• The suspension of all boating privileges
• Hefty and significant fines that get higher with each subsequent violation
• Lengthy probation periods
• Possible jail time
• Facing a prison sentence if certain circumstances are at play in your case, such as if someone has been killed due to your boating under the influence
• Having a permanent criminal record that could affect your personal life

Personal Consequences of a Pascagoula, Mississippi BUI Conviction

It is important to keep in mind that a BUI charge conviction does not just come with harsh and potentially life-altering legal consequences. There can be severe consequences that are sustained in your personal life should a conviction occur. This is why it is imperative that you seek the legal counsel and representation of a BUI defense attorney who can do whatever possible to mitigate the harm done to your life and future if a conviction were to take place.

Common personal consequences of a Pascagoula, Mississippi BUI conviction can typically include the following elements:

• Facing increased insurance rates
• Damage to your personal reputation
• Damage to your professional reputation
• The loss of certain licensure or certifications, which could result in the loss of employment

If you have been charged with a BUI in the state of Mississippi, there is no time to lose in seeking out the correct legal counsel and representation so that your rights and future can be safeguarded from any serious consequences. At Miller Law Offices, we are passionate about seeking a positive case outcome for you and keeping your rights and future intact.

How the Prosecution Will Try to Prove Your Charges and Seek Conviction

When you are charged with a BUI in the state of Mississippi, the state prosecution will need to prove that you are guilty of these charges beyond a reasonable doubt in order to receive a conviction. In order to prove that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, they must first be able to prove the following:

• That you were indeed the operator of the watercraft
• That your incident of boating while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol occurred on the waterways in the state of Mississippi and
• That while you were on the waters and operating the boat, you were doing so under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

If there is even a chance that the prosecution is unable to prove one of these elements, your case could potentially be dropped, along with all the charges against you and the penalties faced. This is why it is so crucial that you retain the services of a Pascagoula boating under the influence attorney who can work to gather evidence against the prosecution’s case and argue in your defense so that the charges and case may be dismissed.

Is it Illegal to Carry Alcohol in Your Boat in Pascagoula, Mississippi?

Unlike DUI cases, a law enforcement officer does not need any cause for suspicion to pull over the operator of a boat. This can occur when the officer boards your boat for a typical inspection. They will ask to verify the boat’s ownership, ask to see your boater’s license, make note of your safety equipment, any fishing licenses, and if you are in possession of an illegal or legal catch. They can also make notes if you have been drinking alcohol and can then investigate for a BUI.

However, there is nothing illegal in having possession of alcohol on the boat or if responsible drinking has occurred by the other individuals on the watercraft. Marine officers will only investigate you for a potential BUI charge if the operator of the boat appears to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and is intoxicated.

What to Do Following a Pascagoula Boating Under the Influence Charge

If you find yourself charged with boating under the influence in the state of Pascagoula, you will most likely be arrested and taken to the local police station. It is imperative that during your booking, you remain calm and cooperative, as this can help your future defense. You will be booked into the local system, and your fingerprints and photographs will be taken, along with a record of your personal information. During this time, do not admit to any fault or guilt.

Once you have hired the services of defense attorney Kyle Miller, he will meet with you to go over the details of your case and determine which course of legal action is correct to take due to the nature of your case. He can work to collect the necessary evidence, speak with witnesses, and consult with experts to begin building a strong and solid defense.

Potential defenses for boating under the influence charge in the state of Mississippi can include the following:

• Challenging the accuracy of any chemical or field sobriety tests, such as a blood alcohol content level test
• Questioning the legality of the stop performed by law enforcement officers
• Presenting evidence that goes against the supposed evidence brought by the prosecution

Contact a Pascagoula Boating Under the Influence (BUI) Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love has been charged with operating a boat under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, it is time to seek the legal guidance and representation of a trusted Pascagoula BUI attorney. At Miller Law Offices, we can seek to reduce the charges brought against you or pursue a dismissal altogether. We understand that the legal world that surrounds these charges can be complex and difficult, and we want to do whatever we can to assist you during this time.

Contact our offices today to schedule a consultation so that we may review the details of your BUI case. Defense attorney Kyle Miller is prepared to put his resources and experience to the task of ensuring that you receive a fair trial should your case move to litigation or he can handle all negotiations necessary with the state prosecutor. Kyle Miller is dedicated to pursuing justice for his clients. Let him fight for you.