One of the best things about living in a coastal state like Massachusetts is the accessibility to bodies of water that are appropriate for activities for activities such as swimming, watersports, and boating. For many people in the Boston area, spending a day relaxing on a boat generally involves the consumption of alcoholic beverages. While drinking and boating may be a tradition, it is important for people operating a boat to remember that Massachusetts law prohibits people from operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Specifically, the state’s boating under the influence (BUI) law prohibits boating with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or greater. The penalties for violating this law can include significant fines, jail time, probation, and the loss of your driver’s license, so it is important for anyone accused of BUI to retain legal counsel immediately.
According to a report published by MyFoxBoston.com, a 33-year-old Boston man has been arrested in connection to an incident which resulted in a 19-year-old woman losing her arm. The incident occurred on Saturday, May 30th at around 7:45 when a woman fell overboard and was injured by the boat’s propeller. The boat, the “Naut Guilty,” was being operated by its owner, a criminal defense attorney who practices in OUI/DUI defense, according to his website. He was arrested under suspicion of boating under the influence. Since the incident, the owner of the boat has maintained that he was not on the boat when the motor was started, an assertion that has been corroborated by other sources.
Offenses involving alcohol are a serious matter
Alcohol-related offenses can have a significant impact on a person’s life. In addition to the legal consequences that can be imposed by a court, the collateral consequences associated with a conviction can affect almost any aspect of a person’s life. The collateral consequences of an alcohol-related offense may include:
· Disciplinary action taken by an employer or an educational institution
· Sanctions imposed by any professional organizations to which you may belong
· Damage to your reputation within your community
· Problems at work due to being unable to drive to and from work
· Difficulty obtaining certain state-issued licenses
By retaining an attorney who is familiar with representing people of driving under the influence (DUI), BUI or other crimes involving the use of alcohol, you can be sure that your case is resolved as favorably as possible. As a result, anyone facing any type of criminal offense should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
Contact a Massachusetts criminal defense attorney today to schedule a free case evaluation
Offenses involving alcohol carry a significant social stigma, even when driving a motor vehicle is not involved. Fortunately, in many instances, an attorney can help minimize the legal and collateral consequences associated with a Massachusetts criminal offense and may even be able to have the case completely dismissed. To schedule a free case evaluation with Boston criminal defense lawyer Edward Molari, call our office today at 617-942-1532. If you would prefer to send us an email, please fill out and submit our online contact form available here.