Residents of Florida who face alcohol-related charges must, of necessity, focus on their defense options. Accused individuals, especially those who have faced similar charges in the past, may benefit by securing experienced legal counsel to advocate for them. Authorities in Pinellas County recently reported the arrest of a Madeira Beach resident after a boating incident in which the man was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
According to a report by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the 44-year-old operator of a boat crashed into a dock on Thanksgiving evening while he navigated through John’s Pass. After destroying the dock, he allegedly also struck another boat that was tied up at the dock. He apparently continued to speed north and, with deputies watching, hit a sailboat that was anchored at the Tom Stuart Causeway.
Deputies say the boater threw them a line, asking their help to tie up his vessel. Further reports by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission indicate that the accused man admitted striking something. The responding officer says slurred speech, red eyes and an odor of alcohol raised suspicion of impairment. It was then observed that the man was unsteady on his feet and struggled to follow instructions.
They arrested the boat operator and determined that there were several previous charges of drunk driving and other alcohol-related offenses on his record. Driving or boating under the influence of alcohol is a serious offense, and having an experienced criminal defense attorney may limit the consequences of this man’s Thanksgiving accident. A skilled Florida DUI defense attorney will assess the evidence held by the prosecution, including the methods used to obtain that evidence. He or she can then devise the most appropriate defense strategy in an effort to achieve the best possible outcome.
Source: Tampa Bay Times, “Pinellas boater charged with DUI after string of Thanksgiving crashes on the water“, Howard Altman, Nov. 25, 2016