Understanding Tennessee BUI Laws and Penalties
In Tennessee, it is against the law to operate a vessel or watercraft while under the influence of drugs. The field sobriety tests vary from those performed in traditional DUI investigations and are commonly referred to as “non standard field sobriety tests”. The biggest concern on being asked to perform non standard field sobriety tests is the natural effects that being on a boat naturally causes individuals who have not taken any substance at all.
The penalties for a BUI in Tennessee depend on the facts and circumstances of the case, but in general a BUI is considered a Class A misdemeanor. The following are the penalties for a BUI in Tennessee:
- First Offense BUI – Punishable by a maximum jail sentence of 11 months and 29 days, for which it is mandatory that 48 hours be served in the county jail, a fine of up to $2,500, and boating privilege suspension for up to one year.
- Second Offense BUI – Carries a jail term of up to 11 months and 29 days, for which it is mandatory that 45 days be served in the county jail, a maximum fine of up to $2,500, and boating privilege suspension for two years.
- Third Offense BUI – Punishable by a minimum jail sentence of 120 days and a maximum term of 11 months and 29 days, a fine not exceeding $5,000, and boating privilege suspension for up to 10 years.
- Subsequent Offenses BUI – 150 days minimum jail sentence and carries between 1 to 6 years depending on prior criminal history, a fine not exceeding 3k, and loss of boating privileges for up to 10 years.
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Ready to Protect Your Rights & Freedom on the Water
Since Tennessee is filled with many lakes and rivers, boating is a popular activity among its residents and visitors alike. However, personal watercraft activities are often associated with alcohol consumption, which may not only lead to a boating accident, but it can also result in getting arrested for boating under the influence (BUI). In this state, the criminal penalties for BUI have been modified as of July 1, 2021 to generally align with the penalties for driving under the influence (DUI), which is why having an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side can help you either avoid conviction or serving time behind bars.
Due to the severity of the potential penalties, it is in your best interest to have a legal professional fight for you. Our firm can guide you through the complexities of the legal process, while protecting your rights, reputation, and freedom from start to finish.
If you have been arrested for BUI in Wilson County or within the surrounding area, do not hesitate to reach out to our Lebanon legal team at Vasek & Robbins to ensure you obtain the most favorable result in court. With more than 20 years of combined experience, we can listen to your story, thoroughly examine your case, determine all your legal options, and defend you inside and outside the courtroom.
Get Expert BUI Defense Help in Lebanon, TNtoday at (615) 703-2745 for more information about our Lebanon BUI defense team!
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