Can you get a fishing license with a DUI (driving under the influence) conviction in California? While DUI convictions can have many severe consequences, they do not typically impact your ability to fish.
You can review all the penalties associated with a DUI conviction with a Los Angeles DUI attorney. A lawyer can discuss repercussions like fines, incarceration, and the loss of your driver’s license.
What Do You Need to Get a Fishing License in California?
California has a few requirements that you have to meet before getting a fishing license, many of them detailed in Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14 § 700.4. These regulations require you to provide identification when applying for a fishing license.
A valid driver’s license represents one possible form of identification. You may worry about getting a fishing license with a suspended or revoked license after a DUI. However, you have many other options, including:
- Your GO (Get Outdoors) identification number
- Your birth certificate or passport
- A Tribal Identification Card
- U.S. Military Identification Cards
The above list contains only examples of acceptable forms of identification. You will also need to provide details like your name and address and pay an application fee.
What Does a DUI Conviction Do in California?
You may still get a fishing license with a DUI in California. However, a conviction can have many severe effects on your life. The specific penalties for alcohol or drug usage vary based on the kind of DUI charges you face. The court may treat these charges as misdemeanors or felonies.
Generally, drivers face penalties that include:
- Thousands of dollars in fines
- Time spent in jail or prison
- The suspension of their driver’s license
In some cases, you may lose professional licenses and security clearances. Your attorney can explain these penalties in more detail when you contact a law firm for legal support.
Do You Have to Get an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) after a DUI?
The court may also require a driver convicted of a DUI to install an IID on their vehicle. These devices measure a driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) before starting a vehicle. They function as a way to minimize the odds of a subsequent DUI.
Putting an IID on your vehicle may help you avoid a license suspension for a first DUI. You can discuss this option with your lawyer and go over options to avoid an IID.
License restrictions can make reaching the lake, river, or ocean to fish more challenging. Therefore, while a DUI may not restrict your fishing license, it can make it more difficult for you to enjoy outdoor hobbies like fishing.
Can You Get a DUI While Fishing?
You can fish with a DUI conviction on your record, and you can have a drink while fishing in some circumstances. However, you could face harsh legal charges if you drink alcohol while operating some vehicles on the water.
In this situation, you could face charges for boating under the influence (BUI) in California. The court system can file BUI charges against anyone with an elevated BAC operating a water vehicle like a:
- Sailboat with a motor or motorboat
- Jet ski
- Aquaplane
- Ferry
- Fishing or tour boat
The penalties for BUI convictions often mirror what you’d expect from a DUI conviction. You could face fines, incarceration, and the loss of your driver’s license.
The court may also require you to attend DUI treatment.
Can You Get Help with DUI Charges?
A DUI attorney can help you face criminal charges head-on, helping you avoid severe penalties for a conviction, like fines and jail time. Your attorney can address any concerns you have and focus on resolving your case by:
- Having your charges reduced
- Getting your charges dismissed
- Representing you in court
Your attorney may dispute the results of a BAC test to weaken the prosecution’s case. In other cases, lawyers take steps to show that police officers stopped you without due cause, which can cause the court to dismiss DUI charges.
These legal steps may also help you face BUI charges in California. Law firms take both DUI and BUI charges seriously because a conviction can impact a client for many years. While you may retain your ability to fish, a conviction could impact your job, educational opportunities, and housing choices.
Learn More About Getting a Fishing License with a DUI
Can you get a fishing license with a DUI? Generally, California allows individuals to purchase a fishing license as long as they have valid identification and pay the application fee for the license. While you can apply with a driver’s license, you have other options available.
While you can still fish after a DUI conviction, you may face other severe penalties. Fortunately, a Los Angeles DUI lawyer can help you with these charges. You can learn more about your resources in this situation by calling or completing our online contact form.
