This year marks our country's 250th birthday, and Washington, D.C. is celebrating with the biggest Independence Day celebration it's ever thrown. That means bigger crowds, more excitement, and more people out celebrating than usual.
While you're out celebrating, record National Mall crowds and a stretch of the Potomac closed to boaters are pushing extra boat and road traffic into Montgomery and Prince George's Counties this year. At Alex and LaFleur Attorneys at Law LLC, we want you to have a great holiday, which means knowing what to expect if OUI (operating a vessel on the water under the influence of alcohol) and DUI patrols increase.
Heading out on the water or the road this weekend? If a Maryland OUI or DUI stop catches you mid-celebration, call (410) 755-5801 or reach out online for a free consultation.
Why This Fourth of July Is Different
July 4, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the country's founding, and the Salute to America on the National Mall is the biggest version of that celebration D.C. has ever run. Bigger crowds and a longer stretch of festivities are part of the fun, and they also mean more drinking. That's why the United States Coast Guard, the Maryland State Police, Baltimore City Police, Baltimore County Police, Montgomery County police, and Prince George’s County Police, Department of Natural Resources Police, and other law enforcement agencies across Maryland are all planning extra patrols this weekend so everyone gets home safely. From the waterways near our Nation’s Capitol to the Star-Spangled waters at Fort McHenry and beyond, we want you to be safe and have the legal team you need if an incident occurs.
The Potomac Closures Are Pushing Boaters into Maryland Waters
The U.S. Coast Guard is closing the busiest recreational stretch of the Potomac, from the Francis Scott Key Bridge to 200 yards south of the 14th Street Bridge Complex, from 8 a.m. July 2 through 6 a.m. July 5 for the fireworks and security around Salute to America. Recreational vessels are barred the entire window, except boats entering or exiting the Pentagon Lagoon along the Virginia shore.
That's prime boating water off the table for one of the busiest weekends of summer. Boaters who would normally be there to enjoy the spectacular fireworks displays are likely to spread out onto open Maryland waters instead, and closer to home than planned.
More boats in less-familiar waters, combined with holiday celebrations, raise the odds of more OUI stops. Just a heads-up on what to expect.
What Counts as Boating Under the Influence in Maryland
NRP (Natural Resources Police) patrol the water the way state, county and local police patrol the roads, and many boaters don't realize that. Maryland law bars operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol, impaired by alcohol, or impaired by drugs. A blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher is prima facie evidence of operating under the influence, and refusing the test can bar you from Maryland waters and roadways.
An OUI conviction is a misdemeanor, and penalties climb with each alcohol-related offense.
Penalties for operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol:
- First offense – up to $1,000 in fines, up to a year in jail, or both.
- Second offense – up to $2,000 in fines, up to two years in jail, or both.
- Third or subsequent offense – up to $3,000 in fines, up to three years in jail, or both.
Impairment-only convictions carry lighter penalties but remain misdemeanors. This weekend, NRP is participating in Operation Dry Water, July 3 through 5, to keep the celebration safe on the water.
Extra DUI Patrols Are Part of the Celebration in the Maryland Suburbs
Holiday weekends already bring extra patrols, and this year, D.C.'s crowds are funneling even more traffic through the Maryland suburbs. Maryland State Police have announced increased patrols statewide to help keep the celebration safe.
Montgomery County is encouraging anyone celebrating with a drink to line up a ride home first: a designated driver, a rideshare, or a sober ride option.
On the water, the logic is the same. Stay sober, or keep a sober skipper at the helm, and enjoy the show.
What to Do If You're Charged with an OUI or DUI
If you do get stopped, stay calm and polite, but remember you have rights. Skip social media, and write down what you remember as soon as you can. Contact the attorneys at Alex & LaFleur as soon as possible in order to quickly address driver’s license and other MVA issues so you don’t immediately lose your ability to drive in Maryland.
A charge is not a conviction, and depending on how the stop and testing were handled, real defenses may be available.
Attorney Michael LaFleur spent time in a prosecutor's office before building a defense practice, which is why we look first at how the case against you was built. Contact a criminal defense attorney quickly, as driver’s license suspension is a real possibility even after an arrest and license-related deadlines move fast.
Enjoy the Celebration, and Know Who to Call If You Need Us
America's 250th birthday is bringing more boats onto Maryland water and more cars onto Maryland roads than a typical Fourth of July, and the extra patrols are part of keeping the weekend safe. None of this should keep you from enjoying the holiday. It just means planning ahead, whether that's a sober skipper on your boat or a designated driver in your car, and knowing who to call if something goes wrong.
Alex and LaFleur Attorneys at Law LLC has successfully represented Marylanders all over the Old Line State through plenty of holiday weekends, and we're wishing you a great, safe and enjoyable America 250th Celebration this year.
An OUI or DUI charge doesn't have to define your holiday weekend or your case. Call (410) 755-5801, or contact us online, to set up a free consultation with our criminal defense team.