Redmond BUI Lawyer

Defense Attorneys for Boating Under the Influence (BUI) Charges in Redmond, WA & Beyond

If you were cited or arrested for boating under the influence (BUI) in or around Redmond, you’re rightly worried about what comes next. BUI is a criminal offense in Washington, and prosecutors take these cases seriously—especially during peak boating season on Lake Sammamish, Lake Washington, and along the Sammamish River. The King County Sheriff’s Office Marine Rescue Dive Unit actively patrols these waterways and conducts safety inspections and BUI enforcement. 

At DUIHeroes, BUI and DUI defense is all we do. Our team brings 50+ years of collective experience, and our attorneys include two former prosecutors who understand the state’s playbook. Every lawyer here has completed the NHTSA DWI Detection & Standardized Field Sobriety Testing course, and our founding attorney, Jonathan Dichter, is a Faculty Member and State Delegate for the National College for DUI Defense. That combination of training and courtroom experience is the engine behind our results-driven, client-first approach.

Facing a BUI charge in the Redmond area? Call (425) 296-9358 for a free consultation.

Washington BUI—What the Law Says

Under RCW 79A.60.040, it’s a crime to operate a vessel while:

• Your alcohol concentration is 0.08 or higher within two hours of operation, or
• Your THC concentration is 5.00 ng/mL or higher within two hours, or
• You are “under the influence of or affected by” alcohol/any drug.

BUI is a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and up to $5,000 in fines—the same maximums as DUI. Refusing a breath or blood test in a BUI investigation is a Class 1 civil infraction (a separate ticket) with a maximum $1,000 penalty.

Does a BUI Charge Affect Your Driver’s License?

Unlike DUI, BUI does not trigger an administrative driver’s license suspension with the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL). That’s why you won’t get the separate 7-day deadline for a DOL hearing that you see in DUI cases.

What Penalties & Conditions Can the Court Impose?

If convicted of BUI, you face up to 364 days in jail and $5,000 in fines. Courts can also impose probationary conditions such as alcohol/drug assessment and treatment, monitoring, community service, and other tailored conditions aimed at public safety and rehabilitation. 

Redmond-Area Enforcement You Should Expect

On Lake Sammamish, Lake Washington, and connecting waterways, the King County Sheriff’s Office Marine Rescue Dive Unit conducts patrols, safety inspections, and law-enforcement operations—including BUI enforcement and accident investigations. Seasonal activity (and subsequent patrolling) typically increases on high-traffic weekends and holidays. 

How We Defend BUI Cases in Redmond

In Redmond, BUI cases are built primarily on officer observations and test results. 

We dig into the details that often make or break these cases:

• Stop & Investigation: Why were you stopped? Were safety checks or equipment inspections used as a pretext? Did the officer follow standard procedures on the water?
• Testing & Science: Was any breath testing device properly maintained and used? For blood, are the collection, handling, and lab methods defensible?
• Training & Testimony: We cross-check the officer’s training and adherence to NHTSA-influenced protocols that get adapted to marine environments.
• Refusal Ticket: If you were cited for refusing a test, we can address the civil infraction separately while working to ensure the refusal itself stays out of the criminal trial.

Our Goals: Suppress weak evidence, expose procedural errors, and pursue dismissals, charge reductions, or creative resolutions that protect your record and your future.

You Need a Powerful BUI Defense Team on Your Side

At DUIHeroes, defending DUI and BUI cases isn’t just part of what we do—it’s all we do, every day. Our exclusive focus gives us an unmatched depth of knowledge in this area of law. With two former prosecutors on our team, we know how cases are built and prosecuted, which allows us to anticipate the state’s strategies and counter them effectively. Every one of our attorneys has completed the NHTSA’s DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing course, the same training law enforcement officers receive. Founding attorney Jonathan Dichter goes even further—he is a qualified instructor and national educator in DUI defense.

Our track record reflects this focus and training. Since 2009, 95% of first-offense DUI cases we’ve handled have been reduced or dismissed*. What you can count on is our commitment to you. We provide direct access to attorneys 24/7, along with a secure client portal that keeps you updated in real time. From the moment you contact us, you’ll know you have a team that is fully invested in protecting your future.

BUI cases move quickly, and the steps you take early can make a significant difference. Don’t wait to get help. Preserve your rights and put an experienced defense team on your side today.

Call (425) 296-9358 or reach out online for a free consultation with a Redmond BUI lawyer.