Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, whether on land or water, is a crime, and if you are caught doing so you will likely face charges. This means that if you are arrested for boating while intoxicated (BWI) you will likely face many of the same penalties as if you had been driving while intoxicated.
After an arrest for BWI, you may face penalties including:
- Losing your boating license
- Jail time
- Heavy fines
This is why it is vital that you contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible after your arrest. Our team at Sheridan & Dulas, P. A. is experienced in all areas of DWI and BWI law and works with clients all across Minnesota.
BWI Penalties
The penalties for BWI in Minnesota closely reflect the penalties for DWI. This means that a first time BWI can result in up to 90 days of jail time and $1,000 in fines. If the driver has aggravating factors or prior convictions working against them, they will also see higher penalties. The highest penalty a driver can see is for a first-degree BWI charge which is a felony and is punishable by up to seven years in prison and $14,000 in fines.
One consistent penalty across all BWIs is boating privileges suspension. All boaters convicted of a BWI will have their boating privileges suspended for at least 90 days. The suspension period will be between May 1st and October 31st and can span consecutive years.
These penalties are why it is important to hire an attorney with experience in BWI law. By reducing the charge or avoiding a conviction all together, the driver can have their privileges restored and can avoid some of the more serious penalties.
For answers to your questions about what to do after a BWI arrest or how we can help, contact our attorneys. From our offices in Eagan, we help clients in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, and throughout Minnesota.
Always By Your Side
The lawyers of Sheridan & Dulas, P. A. are proud to fight for you and your rights in your BWI case. We have years of experience defending clients accused of all levels of BWI, from first to third offenses. Attorney Jeff Sheridan has been named to the list of “Best Lawyers in America” every since 2007 and is well known for his DWI defense cases. We understand the challenges caused by a BWI conviction and do everything in our power to ensure you end up with the best possible outcome.
Get the Experienced BWI Representation You Need
Having everything in order to submit your claim in the most efficient and elegant way possible can be difficult for someone without experience in this area of the law. That’s why the Attorneys of Sheridan & Dulas, P. A. are honored to support and defend employees in their workers’ compensation cases. Contact us today for help with your Boating While Intoxicated case in Eagan or elsewhere in the state of Minnesota.
