Lake Travis And Lake Austin Boating While Intoxicated

Alcohol and boats are as Texan as alcohol and guns and Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) arrests are on the rise. Specific to this area, BWIs are common, especially during busy holiday weekends. But, regardless of when or why you were arrested, we’ll be there to fight for you.

At Adamo & Adamo Law Firm, we’re dedicated criminal defense attorneys in Austin. We prove our determination to you by investigating every aspect of the charges against you. We fight for you at every point and do everything we can to secure your freedom and future.

What You Need To Know About BWI In Austin

Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) carries similar elements that need to be proved beyond a reasonable doubt by the State and similar punishments as a DWI charge. To determine intoxication, however, officers use different standardized methods in a BWI case than they do in a DWI case:

Travis County BWI and specific marine field sobriety exercises include:

1. Finger to Nose (FTN): This test requires subjects to bring the tip of the index finger to touch the tip of the nose with their eyes closed, head tilted slightly back, while estimating the passage of 30 seconds.
2. Palm Pat (PP): The PP required subjects to extend one hand, palm up, and to place the other hand on it, palm down. The subject is instructed to use the top hand to pat the bottom hand. The thumb rotates 180 degrees, alternating the palm between the back and the palm of the hand. The bottom hand remains stationary. Subjects are to count each patient aloud.
3. Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN): Each eye is examined for lack of smooth pursuit, angle of onset, and jerking at maximum deviation.
4. Hand Coordination (HC): The HC test requires the subject to perform a series of tasks with their hands.

A specific BWI study confirmed that the roadside Standardized Field Sobriety Exercises were not suitable for the marine environment. In their place, four tests, the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), finger to nose (FTN), palm pat (PP), and Hand Coordination (HC), were found to give marine officers the most accurate determination of intoxication of the available tests.

Get A Free Consultation From An Experienced BWI Attorney In Austin

After a BWI arrest, you want help from an attorney right away. Waiting will only hurt you. We’ll be there as soon as you call us. Our number is 713-237-8380, or you can send an email using this online form.