this is a post from another message board, but it answers some questions someone had here:

Can you say OUCH really loud??? I now can.

You may remember my post last month about the DFG Ticket I received on May 31. I had just plain ole forgot and left my license at home.

Anyway I told you all I would let you know how it turned out. Seeing that today I had my day in court here is what happened.

When asked how I pled, I responded ”Guilty” before I could get another word out the Judge imposed a $690.00 fine… I politely requested “Your Honor may I please make a statement if it would please the court?” He responded “Lets hear it!” I then explained that I did posses a valid fishing license and that I had inadvertently left it at home that day. I also told him that the DFG Officer had instructed me to bring my valid license with me and show it to you (the Judge) and explained that it was purchased January 11, 2002 so I obviously had it well in advance of the citation.

The Judge responded “In that case Mr. Durham this court fines you $150.00!” I guess the look of disbelief on my face made him ask “Any thing else, do you have something to say?” I made the mistake of stating I felt the fine seemed excessive for such an honest mistake (HINT: Don’t Do That). He responded “Son you are lucky you brought your license with you, if you had a valid license, which you do but would have failed to bring it with you today I would have upheld the $690.00 fine. I will however give you a choice of paying the $150.00 fine or changing your plea to NOT GUILTY at which point we will set a trial date and have the DFG Officer present, if he says you did not have a license with you that day your fine will be $690.00 plus additional court costs.” Needless to say I shut my mouth, thanked the Judge and said I would be willing to pay the $150.00 fine today. Mind you now this was only an infraction but Holy Crap.

Can you say "revenue enhancement?" A major crock, indeed! Take heart that our fine justice system forbids the rich as well as the poor to steal bread and sleep under bridges.

Fishslayer

4 years ago I got ticketed for the same thing at Silverwood. Only my license came off in the brush. Needless to say I didn't know it and I didn't have the reciept/copy with me when I was cited. The Ranger said he would've accepted the copy if I had it, and even though he could've ticketed me for fishing without a license showing, he said he wouldn't have. After searching for my license for 2+ hours I finally found it and took it to the Ranger station. That particular Ranger had just left to turn in his tickets and go on 2 weeks vacation. When the court date came, it was the same story as yours only the fines were $193 after everything was said and done and $870 for the other "could've happened" fine. Revenue enhancement is exactly what it is.

Tight lines,
Wade

The reason they are so strict is 100% because of all the jerks out there who poach, kill short fish, keep more than their limit, purposely fish without a license, etc., etc. - you've seen them - just go to any pier.

I agree with you that it is harsh and the fine is "excessive" for an "honest mistake" but you should not blame the DFG, judge, or system - the blame belongs to the poachers.

Hey Leapin,

You're not required to have a license when fishing from a (Calif.) pier!

I know - I was just using that as an example. There are a lot of people who fish piers who are fine and obey all the rules but there are also a lot of poachers who use the fact that they don't have to have a license as an "excuse" for not knowing the rules.

So when they catch a poacher or someone with no license (NOT someone who has forgotten it and can prove it) they hammer THEM full force and with both feet.

Gotta admit, $150 is better than $690. Too bad fx isn't rich and/or famous. He could get away with anything! :D

Fishslayer

I didn't get the ticket, this was a post form another board that I brought over because it answered someones question here

xcellentfx, I feel for you. I had a similar situation, except that I paid only $10 for court fees. While fishing in Newport harbor last month, I somehow lost my lincese that was hanging around my neck. Before I knew it, a DFG officer cited me $675. First thing the judge asked was "Do you have a license?" to which I repy "Yes" and handed the baliff the copy. He read off the name and date to the judge. The judge then simply asked if I could pay my $10 fee today. It all took less than a minute.

Betcha the judge was a fisherman! :D

Fishslayer