On January 23, 2021, a Florida Fish and Wildlife Officer was on patrol in Hillsborough County. At approximately 5:20pm, he noticed a blue and white center console vessel approaching the Williams Park boat ramp. The FWC officer could not see any vehicle safety inspection sticker on the vessel. The FWC officer approached the driver of the boat. While speaking with the defendant, the officer noted a difficulty in providing the documents requested. During the safety inspection, numerous cans of beer were seen inside a hatch on the stern of the boat. The Defendant admitted to consuming about 5 beers and was taken into custody for a BUI investigation. The officer conducted the seated field sobriety exercises and impairment was detected. The officer placed the Defendant under arrest for BUI. The Defendant refused to submit to a breath test.
Result: The firm set the case for trial, but before the trial date the State dropped the BUI charge.