| Elements of DUI/DWI Offenses Involving Operation of a Boat |
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| All states have BUI laws making it unlawful to operate any vessel while under the influence of alcoholic drugs, certain controlled substances, and drugs. On navigable waters of the United States, federal law provides for a civil fine of not more than $ 5,000 for any person operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or a dangerous drug. Alternatively, the boater may be charged with a class A misdemeanor. More... |
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| Penalties for DUI/DWI Offenses Involving the Operation of a Boat |
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| The United States Coast Guard and the states cooperate fully in enforcement of laws to remove impaired boat operators from the waters. Both the Coast Guard and every state impose stringent penalties for violating boating under the influence (BUI) laws. More... |
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| Overview of Implied Consent in Drunk Driving Cases |
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| Understandably, when a motorist is pulled over for drunk driving, the motorist is generally reluctant to agree to a chemical test because the test results could be used as evidence to convict the motorist of a drunk driving offense. Many states have implied consent laws that essentially provide that a person that drives a motor vehicle is deemed to have given consent to chemical testing of his or her blood or urine for the purpose of determining the alcohol content of the motorist's blood if the motorist is lawfully arrested. More... |
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| Criminal Offense of Defective Equipment on a Motor Vehicle |
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| Because an improperly maintained motor vehicle threatens a grave risk of serious bodily harm or death, the maintenance of a vehicle is of the utmost importance to the driving public. The responsibility for minimizing that risk or compensating for the failure to do so properly rests with the person who owns and operates the vehicle. Accordingly, state vehicle codes usually declare that it is unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle unless it is in such safe mechanical condition that its operation on the highway will not endanger the driver, a passenger, or any other person on the highway. Thus, these codes impose a duty upon the operator to see to it that the vehicle is properly equipped as to maintain control and pose no menace to other traffic on the highway. More... |
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| Criminal Offense of Failure to Report an Accident |
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| Most jurisdictions require a motorist to prepare and forward an accident report to the state's department of motor vehicles whenever the motorist is involved in a motor vehicle accident resulting in property damage or injury. But even before filing a report, the driver has an affirmative duty to stop, provide information, and give notice to the police. These statutes are commonly referred to as hit-and-run statutes. The information commonly required by the statutes includes the driver's name and address, the registration number of the vehicle involved in the accident, and insurance information. In the event that no person is present or able to receive this information, the driver has an affirmative duty to report the accident to the police. More... |
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