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Bellevue Field Sobriety Tests on the Water Lawyers

A person can be arrested for BUI, or Boating Under the Influence, if they are operating a vehicle while intoxicated. This requires the same 0.08 BAC intoxication as expected on land if a person is intoxicated due to alcohol use. In order to test for this intoxication, a police officer may ask a boater to submit to field sobriety tests. However, there are significant problems with these tests when administered to a person on a watercraft.

For a free consultation regarding your legal rights and options if you have been subjected to field sobriety tests on the water, contact the Bellevue BUI defense attorneys of Cowan Kirk by calling 866-822-1230.

Sobriety Test Issues while on the Water

Field sobriety tests do not change between BUI and DUI cases. However, the circumstances between these two charges are significantly different. In particular, the specifics of watercraft use can prove a serious detriment to a BUI defendant's chances of passing sobriety tests. These tests are often administered on land, but this does not necessarily make these tests fair.

The following issues can arise when field sobriety tests are administered in BUI cases:

  • Operators are not given sufficient time to get their balance on land before testing
  • Tests administered on the water can be unreliable
  • Tests may be administered when circumstances do not permit accurate testing, simply for the sake of expediency

Contact Us

If you have been arrested for BUI, you may be facing serious consequences. For more information regarding your legal rights and options as a defendant, as well as the potential problems with field sobriety tests on the water, contact the Bellevue BUI defense lawyers of Cowan Kirk at 866-822-1230 today.

Cowan Kirk Kattenhorn

Cowan Kirk is known throughout Washington and the nation for representing all of its clients with commitment, creativity and compassion. We recognize how devastating a DUI charge can be, particularly when our clients learn how incredibly tough Washington's DUI laws have become, even for a first-time offender.

Contact Us

If you need a DUI defense attorney in Seattle, Bellevue, or King County, contact us today to find out why respect for our clients, a passion for justice, and our commitment to winning have earned each of us the highest honor a member of the bar can receive from our colleagues – their referrals.

Office Location

Main Office
 (425) 822-8046 (fax)

The Supreme Court of Washington does not recognize certification of specialties in the practice of law and the certificate, award or recognition is not a requirement to practice law in the state.

PROVIDING INFORMATION DOES NOT CREATE AN ATTORNEY CLIENT RELATIONSHIP UNDER WASHINGTON LAW. ALL INFORMATION, HOWEVER, SHALL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL.

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