Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
The Hidden Consequences of a BUI Arrest and How to Protect Your Freedom
Chicago is known for its skyline, deep-dish pizza, and unbeatable summer weekends along the lakefront. But if you were boating and a crash happened—especially if someone was hurt—and police later arrested you for operating under the influence, your life may have just taken a hard turn. Even if you had just one drink, the criminal charge of Boating Under the Influence (BUI) in Illinois carries serious consequences that go far beyond a typical citation or ticket.
Unlike a civil boating violation, a BUI is a criminal offense. If the accident resulted in property damage or injury, you could be facing jail time, license restrictions, and a lifelong criminal record. Worse yet, many of the defenses that might apply to DUIs in cars don’t easily translate to the unpredictable conditions of a moving boat on the water.
