Farragut, TN BUI Defense Lawyers

Attorneys Helping Defend Against Boating Under the Influence Charges in Farragut, Tennessee

Boating on Fort Loudoun Lake is a popular recreational activity for residents and visitors in the Farragut area. While many people enjoy the freedom and relaxation of a day on the water, those who drink alcohol could run into legal trouble. Tennessee law imposes serious legal consequences for operating a boat while impaired by alcohol or drugs. A boating under the influence (BUI) charge is not merely a minor infraction—it is treated with the same seriousness as driving under the influence (DUI).

The attorneys at The Baker Law Firm can provide effective legal representation if you have been arrested for BUI in Farragut. Whether you were stopped during a routine waterway check or after an accident on Fort Loudoun Lake, we can help protect your rights, and we will build a strong defense based on the facts of your case. Our legal team will work to reduce the impact of BUI charges and help you achieve a favorable outcome to your case.

What May Lead to a BUI Arrest on Fort Loudoun Lake?

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) officers and other law enforcement personnel routinely patrol Fort Loudoun Lake and the surrounding waterways. Just as police officers watch for signs of drunk driving on the roads, law enforcement may investigate people who are suspected of impairment based on their behavior, appearance, or actions while operating a vessel.

Some common reasons law enforcement may suspect that a person is intoxicated while boating include:

• Erratic Operation: Weaving, sudden speed changes, or failure to maintain a proper lookout can suggest impairment.
• Accidents or Collisions: Involvement in a boating accident often triggers an investigation into whether alcohol or drugs played a role.
• Passenger Reports or Witness Statements: Reports from others on the water or passengers aboard a vessel can prompt officers to investigate someone for BUI.
• Visible Signs of Impairment: Slurred speech, glassy eyes, or the odor of alcohol may lead to additional questioning or testing.
• Reckless or Negligent Behavior: Operating a boat unsafely, ignoring rules, or boating at night without proper lighting may raise suspicions of BUI.
• Safety Checks: TWRA officers may stop boats for routine safety inspections, during which they may detect signs of intoxication.

When a person is suspected of operating a vessel while under the influence, officers may ask them to perform field sobriety tests adapted for boating. If a person is arrested, an officer may ask them to take a breath or blood test to determine their blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

BUI Penalties Mirror DUI Consequences in Tennessee

Under Tennessee Code § 69-9-217, it is unlawful to operate a boat on public waters while under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or any other intoxicant. Under the law, BUI is similar to DUI, and both offenses carry the same criminal penalties.

For a first-time BUI conviction, penalties may include a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 48 hours and a maximum sentence of one year. Fines ranging from $350 to $1,500 may apply. Your boating license will be suspended for one year. Subsequent BUI offenses will result in longer jail terms, steeper fines, and extended suspensions of boating privileges. In certain cases, a BUI may be charged as a felony, such as when an incident resulted in someone's injury or death.

How The Baker Law Firm Can Help Defend Against BUI Charges

Unlike DUI arrests, BUI stops often occur during recreational outings where passengers may be drinking alcohol, and the environment may naturally affect a person's balance, speech, or behavior. Law enforcement officers may rely on subjective assessments of a person's intoxication, but the reliability of field sobriety tests conducted on the water or on an unstable surface like a dock or boat deck may be challenged.

The attorneys at The Baker Law Firm will carefully evaluate the circumstances of your BUI arrest to determine whether law enforcement had reasonable suspicion to initiate a stop and probable cause to make an arrest. We will look at whether the proper procedures were followed during field sobriety and chemical testing to determine if errors were made.

In some cases, it may be possible to argue that signs of impairment were due to sun exposure, dehydration, seasickness, or medications unrelated to alcohol or drug use. Other defenses may focus on the validity of the officer's observations or the lack of credible evidence that you were intoxicated. If necessary, our attorneys can negotiate with prosecutors to seek reduced charges, alternative sentencing options, or deferred judgments that may minimize the long-term impact of a BUI charge.

Contact Our Farragut BUI Defense Attorneys

Because BUI is treated as a criminal offense with the same severity as DUI, you should not underestimate the seriousness of these charges. Even a first offense can result in jail time, substantial fines, and lasting consequences that could affect your life. The attorneys at The Baker Law Firm can examine every detail of your case and provide you with the defense you need. Contact our Farragut, TN BUI lawyers by calling 865-200-4117 to set up a free consultation.