Legality question and fighting a ticket.

[WayneConrad]

My 1 cent (my advice isn't worth 2): You were in the wrong. That's that. If you fight it, it's not to prove you were right, or to get out of it. It's to get the charge reduced to one that won't spoil your criminal record. Is it a plain ol' ticket? Pay it, learn from it, and move on.

 

[Dogmatix]

Need more advice

Its Dogmatix again!

Anyway the "ticket" says it was a "violation" it says "you were charged with the following violation"

In all honesty do you think a forest service ranger, thats what he was i know because he was in one of their trucks and uniforms and he said he was a GS-5, would show up to a court case 210 miles away? I was ticketed in bozeman and the court is in missoula.

Thanks again for all your advice

 

[Dogmatix]

More information

Also, at the top of the ticket it says "United States District Court Violation Notice."

 

[pcf]

In all honesty do you think a forest service ranger, thats what he was i know because he was in one of their trucks and uniforms and he said he was a GS-5, would show up to a court case 210 miles away? I was ticketed in bozeman and the court is in missoula.

Planning on a witness not showing up in court is a poor, Poor legal strategy. It's outright stupidity.

The Park Ranger will drive a government vehicle to court and get paid for the trip, not a bad way to make overtime for a GS-5.

What's your plan if the Park Ranger shows up in court?
Plead guilty or no contest. Pay the fine and court fees and 420 miles worth of gas?
Plead not guilty? Want to show your pictures of the shot up sign? Do you understand evidentiary law? Do you know and understand Federal Law and USFS regulations regarding posted signs and notices? What are you going to do if the judge tells you to appear in court the following Wednesday?

Talk to a lawyer.

 

[Dogmatix]

Planning on a witness not showing up in court is a poor, Poor legal strategy. It's outright stupidity.

The Park Ranger will drive a government vehicle to court and get paid for the trip, not a bad way to make overtime for a GS-5.

What's your plan if the Park Ranger shows up in court?
Plead guilty or no contest. Pay the fine and court fees and 420 miles worth of gas?
Plead not guilty? Want to show your pictures of the shot up sign? Do you understand evidentiary law? Do you know and understand Federal Law and USFS regulations regarding posted signs and notices? What are you going to do if the judge tells you to appear in court the following Wednesday?

Talk to a lawyer.

Good point...thanks for the catch