Operating a Watercraft Under the Influence

Boaters face punishment of a class A misdemeanor 364 days jail, $2,500 fines for operating a watercraft (boating) under the influence.  Boaters have less protections than motorists in that they can be stopped without a reasonable and articulable suspicion of wrongdoing.  Boaters can be stopped and boarded for license and safety checks without probable cause.  How are Standardized Field Sobriety tests conducted?  Will this impact your driver’s license?  What about a statutory summary suspension?  What effect will an out-of-state violation of this nature have in Illinois?  These issues will be discussed in this podcast with criminal attorney, James Doerr of Lavelle Law, Ltd.