Good Job Marine Patrol!!

[codeman671]

Let me get this straight, they got her on the 150' rule but dropped a BWI and failure to hold a valid boaters education certificate???

I hope they had good reason to drop a BWI being that it is a helluva lot more serious than the 150' rule...

[Woodsy]

I don't have the facts in the case.... I just posted what the Laconia Citizen published. I am assuming they didn't have enough evidence to convict on a DWI.... I also think thats why the 150' violation was a $600 fine.

I was just pointing out that the MP do indeed enforce the rules...

Woodsy

[lifeonthefarm]

I could be wrong, but I believe a misdemeanor plea to Careless and Negligent Operation of boats carries a $500 fine. Could have been the reason why they didn't pursue a BWI. I imagine Marine Patrol does a lot of court work year round so just because you aren't hearing about it in the papers doesnt mean that its not happening...

For instance, the website www.byebyedwi.com (lets not get in to ethics here) has some examples of recent BWI cases in N.H. Take it for whatever its worth, and just remember that the webmaster is only posting cases that they won...
It seems that any DWI case on the road or water is pretty hard to prove these days.

[lakershaker]

That $600 fine is extraordinarily high for a safe passage violation (standard used to be $57.60 before the recent increases). Looking at everything, this must have been a negotiated settlement, but would likely keep the defendent from a suspended license since the BWI was nol-prossed. Either that, or she was so close to the officer her fender bumped off his bow!

[jeffk]

Hopefully this woman learned a valuable lesson that boating while stupid in New Hampshire is not going to be tolerated. The fine was painful enough that she won't be able to shrug it off. Hopefully she realizes that she is very lucky to have gotten a "pass" on the BWI charge and will sign up for a boating course so that she is better informed for any future boating activities.

Also, we can hope that this has been a big topic of conversation with her friends and family so that they can also learn from her experience. The "publicity" effect from these strong convictions can be even better than the conviction itself if others recognize that 1) they need a safety certificate to boat in New Hampshire, 2) BWI is monitored and enforced, and 3) OH, there's a 150 foot safe passage rule in New Hampshire ??!!!

[Kamper]

That amount could also be the total of fines for both offenses.

[This'nThat]

Originally Posted by lifeonthefarm

For instance, the website www.byebyedwi.com (lets not get in to ethics here) has some examples of recent BWI cases in N.H....
It seems that any DWI case on the road or water is pretty hard to prove these days.

No, I would say that ethics is a big part of why there are so many repeat offenders. The web site link is very illustrative -- the cases cited by the attorny seemed to be open-and-shut; but, the attorny was able to get the defendents off on technicalities. And, he's quite proud of that, regardless of any future consequences. Ethics not important??? I disagree. Here's the attornies quote: "After trial, the defendant was found: NOT GUILTY!!! This driver never lost his right to drive for a single day!!!". This, after failing all the sobriety tests.

If you are a defendent, this must be great. If you are a driver, motoring down the highway with your family, and get hit by this person because he never lost his right to drive for a single day, then this would change your life (whatever's left of it) forever.