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Florida BUI Lawyer
In all of Florida, there are 4,308 square miles of water and 2,276 statute miles of tidal shoreline. That’s a lot of water. This means a lot of boats – and, unfortunately, a lot of BUI arrests.
Laws regarding boating under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol follow many of the same guidelines as do drunk driving laws. For example, the legal limit is 0.08 percent blood alcohol concentration. However, some aspects of a BUI arrest are decidedly different.
If you are one of the thousands of people arrested each year and charged with BUI, you would be well-advised to obtain a BUI attorney in Florida who has experience with the criminal defense of drunk boating charges. At Katz & Phillips, P.A., our criminal defense attorneys represent those who have been arrested and/or charged with a BUI in Florida.
A Florida BUI Attorney With Prosecutorial Experience
Not every attorney has the experience necessary to mount a proper criminal defense of a BUI charge. At our law firm, lead criminal defense attorney for DUI and BUI charges is a former prosecutor. Attorney David Katz was a prosecutor for the Seminole County State Attorney’s Office and was its DUI and Intoxilyzer Specialist. An Intoxilyzer 8000 is the brand name of the chemical breath tester used in Florida. Attorney Katz is a regular speaker, locally and nationally, on the topic of DUI prosecution and defense.
This means that our clients have someone on their defense team who is not only experienced but highly regarded on a professional level. In many cases this translates directly to effectiveness. While past performance is never an indication of future success, we can say with confidence that we are very good at what we do and will work diligently toward obtaining a favorable result in each and every case.
Drunk Boating Laws
According to the American Boating Association, Florida law states that it is a “criminal offense punishable by fines up to $2,500, imprisonment of up to one year, non-paid public service, and mandatory substance abuse counseling.” In addition:
- BUI laws dictate mandatory sentences in Florida.
- Killing another person while driving a boat drunk can result in a five-year prison sentence and a $5,000 fine.
- Refusal to take a breath test can be used against you in court.
In many ways, a BUI in Florida is similar to a DUI charge. The consequences are certainly similar in terms of potential jail time, fines and penalties and impact on one’s personal relationships or employment. It makes sense to obtain a BUI attorney in Florida who has the necessary experience to potentially obtain an acquittal, dismissal or satisfactory plea deal. At Katz & Phillips, P.A., we have that experience.
Defense Strategies for BUI Charges
In BUI (Boating Under the Influence) cases, effective defense strategies are pivotal for a favorable outcome. Our law firm specializes in crafting unique defenses tailored to each BUI case. One common strategy involves challenging the validity of the sobriety tests conducted on water. Factors such as the natural instability of a boat and environmental conditions can significantly affect the results of these tests. We scrutinize these tests for any procedural errors or external influences that might have skewed the results.
Another key approach is contesting the legality of the initial stop. Just like in DUI cases, law enforcement must have a legitimate reason for stopping a boater. We meticulously review the circumstances leading to the stop to ensure that your rights were not violated.
Decades of Trusted Service. Hundreds of Grateful Voices.
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“David Katz sets the standard by which all other defense attorney's must measure. He not only knows his craft and has the experience to back it up, he relishes forcing his opponents to follow the law towards the best outcome for his clients.”- Karate K.
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“Christine Vazquez took on our case with a 24hr commitment. She put everything on the line to hold the judicial system accountable.”- Phil W.
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“I can’t thank attorneys Christine Vazquez and David Katz enough for the incredible job they did on my DUI case.”- Gabriel H.
Why Hire Katz & Phillips?
Some important reasons to secure experienced representation include:
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Board-Certified* Attorneys
Our founding attorneys are two of three board-certified* DUI defense lawyers in the state.
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Former Prosecution Experience
As former prosecutors, we bring an invaluable perspective and skillset to every case.
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High Success Rate in Criminal Defense
With a 90%+ success rate, our proven track record of success speaks for itself.
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Decades of Experience
With more than 10,000 cases handled, our advocates are well versed in criminal law to help you navigate your case with care and efficiency.
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Always Responsive
Our team is available to take your call and address any questions or concerns you have.
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Financing Available
The last thing you need during a criminal case is financial stress. Our firm offers financing with no credit check required.
Meet Your Dedicated Defense Team
Led by two of Florida's Board-Certified* DUI Experts, Our attorneys bring together more than 50 years of success, defending clients across Florida against criminal and DUI charges.
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DUI Charges Reduced
The court deemed all other conditions satisfied so M.A. did not have to go on probation at all and walked out of courthouse with a fine and fees to pay, and the case behind her.
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Case Dismissed
J.A.R. had had a previous DUI conviction and was facing mandatory jail time if convicted of this offense. In reviewing the discovery provided by the state, our team found several issues with the police investigation, and realized that our clients’ rights had been violated.
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All Charges Dropped
In reviewing the evidence provided by the State our team realized that T.R.’s rights had been violated when she was immediately illegally arrested by the Trooper. Further, there were many other errors made by the Trooper which would result in the evidence gathered being suppressed.
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All Charges Dropped
In this case, our client, R.H., was out with friends. A family member who was angry with him tracked his location by tracking his cell phone, called the police, told them he was very drunk, and led the police right to his car. The officers stopped his car and eventually arrested him.
Our Case Results
Two of Florida’s only Board-Certified* DUI Defense experts fighting for you.
- DUI Charges Reduced
- Case Dismissed
- All Charges Dropped
- All Charges Dropped
