Maryland Lawmaker Gets 30 Days for Drinking While Boating

A Maryland lawmaker has been sentenced 30 days in jail for operating a motorboat while drunk before an August accident that injured several people, including three children.

Delegate Don Dwyer pleaded guilty Tuesday to operating his boat under the influence of alcohol, but District Court Judge Robert Wilcox denied his request for probation before judgment.

Wilcox told Dwyer he wouldn’t get special treatment since lawmakers have an obligation to obey laws and ordered the Anne Arundel County Republican to pay a $1,000 fine. Dwyer must report to jail Thursday unless he appeals.

Other charges against Dwyer were dropped as part of a deal with prosecutors.

Dwyer apologized in court for operating his boat after drinking, but he has maintained that the crash on the Magothy River was not his fault.