Minneapolis BWI lawyers make a difference in your case

As the State of 10,000 Lakes, Minnesota is naturally a haven for recreational boaters. Since recreation and alcohol consumption often go hand-in-hand, the state sees a fair share of boating while intoxicated (BWI) cases.

BWI is just as serious as DWI in a motor vehicle and carries similar penalties. Jeffrey B. Ring & Associates provides the same high caliber of defense to boaters and drivers in Minneapolis and across the state. Our drunk driving defense attorneys understand what is at stake, and we apply our significant legal knowledge to protect your rights and your interests.

BWI penalties in Minnesota

If you are convicted of a first-offense BWI, you could be sentenced to 90 days in jail and fined up to $1,000. Conviction can also result in a loss of boating privileges for 90 days during boating season.

Just as with DWI, BWI has aggravating factors that can enhance the penalty. If any of the following aggravating factors are present, a tougher penalty may be imposed:

  • Prior DWI or BWI offense or refusal to take a field sobriety test within the past 10 years
  • Blood alcohol content over .16
  • A minor under the age of 16 in the boat at the time of the offense

License revocation risks

A boater who has committed a first BWI offense is subject only to loss of boating privileges during the 90-day revocation period. A person who has a qualified prior conviction for BWI or DWI within the last 10 years may have to face the same penalties as a person who has been convicted of DUI in a motor vehicle. This can mean jail time, fines and administrative penalties that include forfeiture of the boat, fines for alcohol electronic monitoring and loss of vehicle driver's license.

Driving a boat while intoxicated can be more dangerous than driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. A boat is not steady, so balance can be thrown off. In fact, 50 percent of alcohol-related boating deaths are caused by capsizing or falling into the water.

DWI lawyers protecting the rights of boaters in Minnesota

Contact Jeffrey B. Ring & Associates for the help you need following a BWI arrest. Our accomplished drunk driving defense lawyers find solutions to even the most difficult cases. Our initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose.