Noted environmental activist Erin Brockovich was charged with boating under the influence after she was arrested in Lake Mead, Nevada.

The 52-year-old Brockovich will face misdemeanor BUI charges after she allegedly got into a heated argument with her husband at a marina near the Hoover Dam, reports The Seattle Times.

Brockovich was in a 26-foot motor boat with her husband, Eric Ellis, when she reportedly threw his cell phone into the lake. As the couple headed back to shore, Brockovich apparently had trouble docking the boat and needed the assistance of a warden.

Authorities administered two breath tests to Brockovich and she is said to have failed both. She now faces up to six months in a Nevada jail along with monetary fines and possible community service. In her defense, the activist insisted that she did not operate the boat in open waters and said she created no public safety risk.

Washington BUI Laws

In Washington, it is illegal to operate a boat if you have a blood alcohol content above 0.08 or are otherwise impaired while operating the vessel.

Someone who is charged with a BUI in Washington can face misdemeanor charges that can include both a jail sentence and monetary fines. Of course, if the BUI leads to property damage, personal injury, or if there are other extenuating circumstances, the boater could face more serious felony charges.

A major difference between driving under the influence and boating under the influence in Washington is the latter does not trigger an administrative license suspension under the implied consent statute (RCW 46.20.308).  Even if a person is convicted of boating under the influence, they do not face a license suspension as part of their sentence (although it is a proposal in recent legislation).

If you find yourself facing a Washington BUI charge, you will want to work with an attorney familiar with boating under the influence laws.

Contact the Seattle BUI Attorneys at Wolff Criminal Defense

The attorneys at Wolff Criminal Defense are experienced at representing clients accused of boating under the influence in the Seattle and King County areas. If you have a question about a charge, contact our lawyers directly at 425-284-2000 to schedule a consultation. Do not try and face your BUI charge alone.