Police Investigating the Discovery of Two Bodies in Lake Lanier

Lake Lanier, Ga. - According to reports out of Forsyth and Hall, police are investigating the discovery of two bodies in Lake Lanier.

Both incidents were separate from each other. It is believed by investigators that both deaths occurred from boating accidents.

Most fatal or injurious incidents on waterways in Georgia involve alcohol consumption. In today's post, I will focus on the law behind the offense of boating under the influence.

Boating Under the Influence in Georgia

Boating Under the Influence in Georgia mimics the law behind DUI in Georgia. The BUI law is as follows:

No person shall operate, navigate, steer, or drive any moving vessel, or be in actual physical control of any moving vessel, nor shall any person manipulate any moving water skis, moving aquaplane, moving surfboard, or similar moving device while:

(1) Under the influence of alcohol to the extent that it is less safe for the person to operate, navigate, steer, drive, manipulate, or be in actual physical control of a moving vessel, moving water skis, moving aquaplane, moving surfboard, or similar moving device…

The law also includes operating a boat under the influence of any drug, any combination of alcohol and drug, alcohol concentration of 0.10 or more, marijuana or any other controlled substance to the extent that it makes them less safe to operate said boat.

BUI Penalties are very similar to DUI Penalties. If convicted of BUI in Georgia, the penalties include:

• Fines between $300 to $1000
• Period of imprisonment no more than 12 months
• No fewer than 40 hours of community service
• DUI School or DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program
• Clinical Evaluation

Just as with DUI convictions, a second, third, fourth, or subsequent BUI conviction can lead to exacerbated penalties.

Practice Note

If you or a loved one has been arrested for BUI or any other criminal offense in the state of Georgia, contact a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer today.