When Police Catch You Drinking & Make You Dump It All Out
On July 4, 2024, at approximately 1730 hours, Florida Fish & Wildlife Police Officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were conducting water patrol on the Steinhatchee River. They observed a vessel with four occupants on board at the approximate location of channel marker 40 in the Steinhatchee River.
The police officers initiated a vessel stop to conduct a boating safety inspection. One of the officers, equipped with a Body Cam, made contact with the operator, who was later identified by his Florida driver’s license. The police officers explained to the operator the reason for the stop and requested that he present his safety equipment and vessel registration.
One of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Police Officers, wearing a Body Cam, asked to inspect the cooler on board for any potential resource violations. One of the occupants opened the cooler, which revealed two unopened adult beverage cans.
The police officer asked everyone onboard their ages, and none of them were twenty-one years old. The occupants stated they had disposed of the empty adult beverage cans offshore.
The police officers identified the remaining individuals by their Florida driver’s licenses. The occupants were issued written warnings in reference to State Statute 562.111(1), which prohibits the possession of alcoholic beverages by persons under age 21. Throughout the inspection, Body Cams worn by the police officers captured the interaction.
The operator of the vessel was charged with one misdemeanor for violating Florida State Statute 562.111(1), Possession of alcoholic beverages by persons under age 21 prohibited:
“It is unlawful for any person under the age of 21 years, except a person employed under the provisions of s. 562.13 acting in the scope of her or his employment, to have in her or his possession alcoholic beverages, except that nothing contained in this subsection shall preclude the employment of any person 18 years of age or older in the sale, preparation, or service of alcoholic beverages in licensed premises in any establishment licensed by the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco or the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 562.45, any person under the age of 21 who is convicted of a violation of this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083; however, any person under the age of 21 who has been convicted of a violation of this subsection and who is thereafter convicted of a further violation of this subsection is, upon conviction of the further offense, guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.”
The Body Cams on the police officers were recording throughout the stop, ensuring documentation of the inspection and interactions.
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