On January 8, a 24-year-old Utica College student received no jail time after she pleaded guilty to boating while intoxicated and third-degree assault. According to the Utica Observer-Dispatch, the victims of the First Lake boating accident did not want the student to receive a severe punishment.

“The victims of the boat collision were instrumental in us arriving at a resolution, and they are very compassionate people,” Herkimer County District Attorney Jeffrey Carpenter stated. “They wanted the case resolved in such a manner that it send a message to the community, as well as to the defendant, but with an eye toward also resolving it fairly.”

The accident happened on July 27. The student had been drinking alcohol with friends in the town of Webb, New York prior to going out on First Lake in a rented speedboat. While out on the water, the 24 year old was encouraged to take the wheel of the speedboat for a few minutes, despite the fact that she was unfamiliar with operating a boat. Not long after taking control of the boat, the student crashed into the victims’ smaller boat, which she claimed she did not see prior to the wreck.

Instead of prison time, as her punishment, on May 6, the young woman will be sentenced to three years of probation, 90 days of house arrest, 120 hours of community service and have to pay the victims’ $7,800 for damages to their boat and other expenses. In addition, she will have to wear a SCRAM bracelet, which detects any alcohol consumption, for three months.

Nationwide Maritime Attorneys That Handle Drunk Boating Accidents

If you or a loved one were the victim of a recreational boating accident caused by a drunken boater, there should be no question as to whether or not those at fault should be held accountable or you deserve compensation. For many of these victims, the only question may be how to afford to pay for legal representation. However, as nationwide maritime trial lawyer David Anderson explains in the video above, the attorneys at Latti Associates LLC work on a contingent fee basis, meaning they pay for the costs associated with the case upfront and are only paid if they secure you a favorable settlement or verdict.

At Latti Associates LLC, we have been fighting for the rights of boating accident victims for over 50 years. We have seen the devastation that boating accident injuries can have on victims and their families, from hospital bills to lost wages to lowered quality of life, and are dedicated to making sure those responsible are brought to justice. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation.

Latti Associates’s Little Extra: According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the use of alcohol is involved in about a third of all recreational boating fatalities.

Latti Associates LLC – Nationwide Maritime Attorneys

Source: http://www.uticaod.com/article/20140114/NEWS/140119631