To avoid the serious penalties associated with boating while intoxicated (BWI), get our Travis County criminal defense attorneys fighting on your side.
Boating is a popular form of recreation in Travis County. However, it comes with a certain amount of responsibility, as well. For the sake of your passengers and others you encounter, refrain from drinking while operating a boat. Officials take boating while intoxicated (BWI) seriously and if you are caught you will face serious criminal charges. At Granger and Mueller PC, we represent clients in these types of cases. With more than 25 years experience, our Austin BWI defense attorneys provide aggressive legal representation to avoid the penalties associated with a conviction.
BWI Charges and Penalties in Texas
Laws against drinking and operating a boat in Austin are similar to those involving motor vehicle drivers. Under the Section 49.06 of the Texas Penal Code, you can be charged with BWI if you appear intoxicated or have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or greater. The same as with a DWI, a first offense is classified as a Class B misdemeanor. Penalties include fines of up to $2,000 and a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 72 hours.
Extenuating circumstances in your case and a history of prior BWI or DWI offenses will increase the severity of your charges. Penalties you could be facing include:
● For a second BWI or a first offense involving a BAC level of .15 or higher: This is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by fines up to $4,000 and up to a one year jail sentence;
● For a third BWI or if you have two prior DWI offenses: This is classified as a third degree felony, punishable by fines of up to $10,000 and anywhere between a two to 10-year jail sentence.
● For a DWI that results in a boating accident: You could be charged with either a first or second degree felony, depending on the severity of injuries involved. Penalties include fines and up to 20 years of imprisonment.
To protect yourself against these penalties, it is important to get our Austin BWI defense attorneys on your side immediately.
We Defend You Against BWI Charges in Austin
At Granger and Mueller PC, we can defend you against BWI charges in Austin. If you are pulled over by the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife and charged with being under the influence, you also face additional penalties which include mandatory alcohol counseling, community service, and an automatic driver’s license suspension. Our Austin BWI defense attorneys can take the following steps to protect you against these penalties:
● Disputing the circumstances surrounding your arrest and the results of BWI testing;
● Negotiating with prosecuting attorneys to have your BWI charges dropped or reduced;
● Arranging for pretrial intervention, to help you avoid a jail sentence.
Our Austin BWI Attorneys are Available 24/7
At Granger and Mueller PC, we fight to protect you against BWI charges. To schedule a consultation to discuss your case, contact our Travis County BWI defense attorneys today.