BUI Arrests at Gasparilla

Tampa BUI Defense Lawyer

At Gasparilla Pirate Festival in 2011, the media initially reported that there were only four arrests in regards to people who have been boating while under the influence. This, however, has since been determined to be vastly underreported. The actual number has not been actually determined. Regardless, it is important to keep in mind that all law enforcement facilities are on high alert during the commission of the Gasparilla Pirate Festival for alcohol-related crimes, including boating while under the influence.

The festival has long since been seen as a notorious spot for these types of crimes and therefore the local police departments have since enacted what is known as the "Zero Tolerance" policy to help crackdown on these types of crimes. While this is usually in regards to open container violations, fighting and underage drinking, not every type of crime that they will be on the lookout for will be on dry land. In fact, many of these crimes will be on the open waters and will have similarly harsh penalties.

By having local law enforcement agencies pairing with state and federal agencies such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the U.S. Coast Guard, the waters will continually patrolled as officers make a proactive effort to help cut down on the devastating effects of boating while intoxicated. In 2011, the FWC also introduced what is known as the "B.A.T. Mobile" to allow for the administration of field sobriety tests to occur in an efficient, accessible and timely manner.

Have you been arrested at Gasparilla for drunk boating?

Typically, a BUI arrest will start with the U.S. Coast Guard pulling over a boat to do a safety inspection. This will include looking for all regulation compliance, such as having the correct type and amount of all floatation devices, having visual distress signals onboard and having the correct certificates. During this time, they will also be looking for telltale signs of negligent operation of the vessel - including a boat operator who is under the influence of alcohol and / or drugs. This can be charged under 46 USC 2302(c), will be considered a class A misdemeanor and will include the possibility of a $5,000 civil penalty.

If you have been arrested for a BUI while celebrating the Gasparilla Pirate Fest, then it is in your best interests to get the involvement of a Tampa DUI lawyer from Thomas & Paulk as soon as possible. Over the years, we have been successful in defending the legal rights of our clients in a wide variety of complex and high stakes situations - you can be confident knowing that we will be there to go the extra mile for you. We have a wide understanding of the law and will apply every resource that we have available to help defend you.

For help in protecting your legal rights after a BUI arrest at the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, please do not hesitate to contact a Tampa BUI attorney from our firm as soon as possible.