Boating Under the Influence
Get The Defense You Deserve
Pasadena BUI Lawyer
Defending Against Boating Under The Influence Charges in Los Angeles County & Southern CA
If you have been arrested for suspicion of boating under the influence in Southern California, call our Los Angeles BUI attorneys at Hutton & Khalaf for a skilled defense of your rights. California Harbors and Navigation Code 655(b) makes operating a boat, Jet Ski, water ski, or other watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs a crime. As in the case of driving under the influence, if you have been arrested for boating under the influence, you must have attorneys on your side who have the experience and resources to defend your rights.
At Hutton & Khalaf, we are highly experienced criminal defense attorneys who defend clients accused of alcohol- and drug-related crimes. We will apply decades of experience to fight for our clients' rights. You must defend your reputation, livelihood, driver's license, and freedom. Hire a Pasadena BUI lawyer who knows how to get results.
Are you facing a boating under the influence charge in Southern California? Call Hutton & Khalaf today at (626) 397-9700 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our BUI lawyers in Pasadena!
What are the Penalties for Boating Under the Influence in California?
While DUI is much more common in California, the Pacific Ocean, rivers, and lakes offer water recreation to millions throughout the state. Especially during the summer and holidays, countless people take advantage of fun with their watercraft. If you have been arrested for suspicion of BUI in California, your fun was probably cut short. In addition to the embarrassment and loss of recreation time, if you are convicted, you also face:
Jail or prison time
Thousands of dollars in fines
Hours of community service
Alcohol awareness courses
A criminal record that can influence your educational and professional opportunities
Understanding California BUI Laws And Legal Limits
California’s boating under the influence laws are separate from, but similar to, the state’s driving under the influence statutes. Under Harbors and Navigation Code 655, it is illegal to operate a recreational vessel while impaired by alcohol or drugs, or with a blood alcohol concentration at or above the legal limit. For most adult operators, that limit is 0.08%, but lower limits can apply in certain situations, such as for commercial vessel operators. Many people are surprised to learn that BUI cases can be filed even when a person feels fine and is safely operating their watercraft.
BUI enforcement in and around Los Angeles County often focuses on busy waterways during peak seasons, including coastal areas and popular reservoirs that Pasadena residents frequent. Officers can stop a vessel for basic safety checks and then expand the investigation if they believe the operator may be impaired. Unlike a traffic stop on I-210 or the 134, testing on the water has to account for sun, wind, and vessel movement, which can affect balance and coordination. Knowing what the law actually requires of operators—and what it does not—can be critical to evaluating whether the charges are justified.
Penalties can also increase based on factors such as prior DUI or BUI convictions, the presence of children on the vessel, or accidents that cause injury. A first-time misdemeanor BUI can still carry significant consequences, but cases involving injuries or repeat offenses can expose a person to harsher sentencing and long-term license issues. By carefully comparing the facts of your case to what California law allows, we work to identify whether the state can truly meet its burden of proof and whether there are opportunities to reduce or challenge the charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a BUI Charge Handled in the Same Court as a DUI in Pasadena?
In many situations, a BUI case is filed in the same criminal courts that handle DUI and other misdemeanor matters for Pasadena and the surrounding Los Angeles County communities. The specific courthouse depends on where the incident occurred and which agency made the arrest. Even though the setting is familiar to DUI cases, the statutes and issues in a BUI case can be different, so it is important to understand both the court process and the boating laws that apply.
Can a BUI Affect My Driver’s License?
A boating under the influence case can have consequences that reach beyond your time on the water. In some circumstances, a conviction or related conduct can trigger action by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, especially if there is a history of DUI or BUI. The impact on a driver’s license depends on the exact charges, prior record, and any overlap with driving-related offenses, so the potential consequences should be reviewed carefully for each case.
What Should I Do After Being Arrested For BUI?
After a BUI arrest, it is important to pay attention to any paperwork you receive and any dates for upcoming court appearances. Keeping track of these deadlines helps avoid additional complications or warrants. You should also write down what you remember about the stop, the conditions on the water, and what tests were given, while the details are still fresh in your mind. Having this information available can be useful when you later discuss your situation and consider your options for moving forward.
Contact Our Pasadena BUI Attorney Today
Minimize your risk of conviction on a BUI charge. We may be able to show that you were illegally stopped. We may be able to show that you were not under the influence at the time of the alleged infraction. Our resources allow us to have your blood independently tested. We also have the resources to analyze every detail of your case and find flaws in the prosecutor's case against you.
Our Pasadena BUI attorneys have extensive knowledge, skill, and success in this area of the law. We have defended clients against the most serious criminal charges and have dedicated much of our practice to DUI and BUI defense for the last several years.
“I always advise them to immediately call Mark Khalaf.”
Several friends and relatives have been arrested for DUI, and I always advise them to immediately call Mark Khalaf. He has a track record of over 20 years of experience in Criminal Defense Law and a wealth of knowledge and experience in helping his clients navigate and represent them in court and the legal process.
My friends and relatives have told me that Mark provides in-depth explanations, keeps it real, offers realistic possible outcomes, and consistently keeps in contact.
I will continue to refer people to Mark, and I have peace of mind that I have a strong Attorney on my corner in case I ever need representation.
