Updated: December 23, 2024 by Sean McQuaid Law enforcement officers cannot force you to perform a breathalyzer test, but if you refuse a BUI test in Florida, you will face consequences. As a boat operator, you may be stopped if the arresting officer suspects that you’re operating the vessel under the influence of drugs or alcohol. After you’ve been arrested, the law enforcement officer may request a BUI test.

What Happens If You Refuse a BUI Test in Florida?

BUI tests may come in the form of breath, blood or urine but are most commonly breathalyzers. The goal is to determine your BAC level (Blood alcohol concentration). You have the right to refuse the test. However, there will be consequences.

• Refusal does not impact your driving records.
• You will be given a $500 civil penalty.
• You cannot operate a vessel until the fine has been paid.
• A future refusal can be charged as a first-degree misdemeanor.

How to Contest a BUI Test Refusal Fine:

If you wish to contest a civil penalty following the refusal of a BUI test in Florida, you must:

• Ask your criminal defense attorney to file a demand in court for a formal hearing.
• This must be filed within 30 days of the arrest.

The judge for the criminal case will also preside over the administrative hearing for the civil penalty. Hiring a reputable and respected local criminal defense attorney will be advantageous. Our attorneys, for example, have a strong reputation and relationship with the local judges. Note: Most BUI arrests are made by law enforcement officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife commissions. However, any local agency may be able to make an arrest for a BUI offense.

Should You Refuse a BUI Test in Florida?

Providing a BUI test result that displays a BAC of 0.08 or more is evidence that you have committed a BUI crime. For that reason, it may be considered beneficial to refuse the BUI breath test if you believe your BAC is over 0.08. We recommend not to take the intoxilyzer because you will not lose your driver’s license and you will only get a $500 fine. We view this as a small price to pay to avoid giving the State evidence of impairment. When in doubt, refuse.

• If you’ve had nothing to drink, then you should always take the test and blow .000. You will likely be asked for a urine sample next. Make your own decisions about that depending on what you have done.
• If you know you’re over the BAC limit of 0.08 or are in doubt, then it may be better to refuse the breathalyzer test – but accept there will be consequences.

There may also be reasons for refusing a BUI test in Florida, such as:

• Medical Issues: Some people may have anxiety or mental health issues while taking a test. In these scenarios, a law enforcement officer may document a refusal rather than the reality that you were unable to.
• Language Barriers: If your English isn’t perfect, you may struggle to understand the instructions, resulting in the law enforcement officer documenting a refusal rather than a misunderstanding.
• Impatience: Some officers may lose their patience and claim there was a breath test refusal because you didn’t take the test immediately when requested or asked questions about it.

What Is a BUI in Florida?

Florida Statute 327.35 defines a BUI offense (Boating Under the Influence) as:

• Operating a vessel with a blood or breath alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher;
• OR, having consumed alcoholic beverages or drugs enough that your normal faculties are impaired.
• If you are under the age of 21, the BAC limit is 0.02%.
• A vessel is “any watercraft, barge or airboat used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water, other than a seaplane”.
• This includes boats, powerboats, barges, waterskiing and jet skis.

Defending a BUI Case in Florida

If you’ve been arrested for a BUI in Florida or a BUI test refusal in Florida, you should contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Our attorneys provide free consultation and welcome you to call us today. Although the penalties are not as severe as a DUI, you may face jail time and expensive fines. Thankfully, our attorneys have defended many BUI cases either by getting the charges dropped or by reducing the penalties. BUI arrests are not usually handled by police officers, and that can lead to a lot of mistakes. We see this a lot with officers from Fish & Wildlife (FWC). For example, we’ve seen cases where officers request field sobriety tests while the defendant is still on the boat rocking the water! There’s also various reasons why boats may look like they’re being operated like a drunk driver. Wind, engine noise, currents and sea-sickness are just a few examples. Our BUI defense lawyers may be able to get your charges dropped by arguing defenses such as these. There is still hope; contact us today.

Penalties for a BUI in Florida: First Time Offense

If convicted for a BUI in Florida, you will face a criminal record and the following penalties:

• The majority of BUIs are second-degree misdemeanors with a $500-$1,000 fine;
• and up to six months in jail.
• First-time offenders will also face probation of up to one year.
• You will also likely be sentenced to 50 hours of community service;
• and 10 days of vessel impoundment or immobilization.

However, if the BUI case involved the following criteria, then the consequences may be more severe:

• BAC level of 0.15 % or more, or a passenger under 19 years old: Second-degree misdemeanor. Up to nine months jail time and a fine of between $1,000 and $2,000.
• There was an accident which caused property damage or injuries to another: First-degree misdemeanor. Up to one year in jail and up to $1,000 fine.
• An accident that caused serious bodily injury: Third-degree felony. Up to five years in prison and up to $5,000 fine.
• An accident that caused a death: First or second-degree felony. Up to 30 years prison sentence for a first-degree felony, or 15 years in prison for a second-degree felony. Potentially $10,000 fine.

Read Related: How Does a DUI in Florida Affect My Job Or My Future?

Hire a BUI Defense Attorney in Pinellas County, Florida

If you’ve been arrested for BUI in Florida, then our criminal defense attorneys can help. We specialize in BUI charges in Pinellas County so that we know everyone and what to expect. We regularly help people like you to clear their name from unjust charges or minimize the impact on their life.

Free Consultations

Sean McQuaid and his team are top-rated criminal defense attorneys in Pinellas County, Hillsborough County and the surrounding areas. They are a branch of Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A., one of Tampa Bay’s most prestigious law firms with the reputation and connections to make things happen. With decades of experience helping people like you, we believe there is no better place to help you fight a BUI arrest. Contact us today for a free consultation to get started or CALL (727) 381-2300 or (813)-639-8111

Award-Winning Attorneys at Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A.

We are the law firm that you call when you want the best attorneys at a fair and reasonable price. When you walk into court with one of our attorneys by your side, you will be treated differently. Our lawyers have spent their careers developing connections and insights that will help your case.

For more information please contact us at Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. to schedule a free consultation with an attorney today. We have three convenient locations in Pinellas County and Hillsborough County to better serve you.

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