Shot a 2 point, going to court, any advice?

[combs338]

 

[scout/sniper]

You made an honest mistake (several by your count.) If this is the worst mistake you make in life, consider yourself blessed.

I wish you well.

Absolutely right.
Most of these "sportsmen" that are flaming you have done the same thing, probably much worse if the truth were known.
Tell the truth and accept the punishment, your conscience will be clear and I'll bet it never happens again.

[scout/sniper]

There's not a single hunter in here who hasn't made a mistake in the field.

I agree, although from reading the posts on this thread it would appear that several members consider themselves above reproach. May we all strive to be perfect like them.

Is there a special forum here for all the perfect people that keep offering their golden snippets?
Maybe there should be, then they can stay there and talk about how much they love themselves.
It would keep them out of conversations like this.

[dscubame]

Good luck fighting this. From the sounds of it. There is no chance of you getting off the hook for what you did. At least you're not in jail.

Since you stated you are a high school teacher, you need to teach this valuable lesson to all your kids to not commit a crime and be an idiot like you were.


One question, we're you drunk or just stupid? It seems like a person like this should have their rights from hunting and fishing taken away for life.

The came came onto a pubic forum and admitted he was wrong and was just asking a couple questions. And you have to come back with this? I sure hope you have never made any kind of mistake in your life. Because that would make you a hypocrite on top of the jerk you are.

I think Mr. Naches is still young enough that he hasn't had time to realize that he is not as smart as he thinks he is.  It took me some years to learn that, along with some big helpings of humble pie.

  Naches, your post sucks.

+3

[pianoman9701]

We have accomplished one thing: I bet supermatt9 is feeling a whole lot better about himself in light of some of the hoser and posers on here.

[jackelope]

Keep the personal attacks and name calling out of here.

[scout/sniper]

Keep the personal attacks and name calling out of here.

Wilco.

[Arnbo]

What brand & power binos and spotting scope do you own and what did you use to look at the deer to see the 3 points?

I second this. Another mistake is coming on here before your court date.
The prosecutor will be checking your Facebook and any other forum from his smart phone...............Loose lips .....Sinks Ships

[Evil_EdwardO]

7/8 years ago a couple of knucklehead buddies of mine shot a Cougar with there bows, after all there bragging and wooping it up, I asked um
 #1 how Did you two *censored*s get the drop on a Cat?!
#2 I've never know you 2 to ever have a cougar tag?!

Oh easy ill just go buy my tag tomorrow after work he said.   And same as you somebody that saw them load it up in the woods called it in!   So when these guy tagged it and waited a few days to bring the cat in for sealing the hide, the Game department was already waiting for them.  They told they're story    (How the Cougar was actually already shot wounded and dying).  And it was' hence these two idiots even got it!
So they hired an Attorney and long story short they ended up winning!  Cost them about $5000

I suggest a Lawyer

If having a lawyer is going to cost $5000 but the max fine is cheaper (from some posts on here say $2500) why would you. Save yourself $2500 and just pay the fine.

[BK Dave]

Well keeping your record clean might be part of it, that and my buddies ended up getting to keep the Cougar, and to this day I see it mounted in his stairwell. How he looks at it with no shame is interesting??
My point was, hiring a lawyer seems important.

[skywalker253]

First of all let me say I am sorry for your temporary lapse in judgment,but ignorance of the law is not an excuse. I learned this the hard way myself.

Not sure if this has been said already but, a gross misdemeanor comes with the potential of up to a $5,000 fine and/or a year in jail. Not sure of the repercussions as far as hunting and/or firearm rights. From the RCW's that have been posted it looks like you could possibly lose your hunting rights for the two years.

This offense does not fall under the mandatory minimums law (with the exception of the hunting rights); so the judge could decide to be more or less lenient when it comes to sentencing.

Since it is a criminal charge, your first appearance in court will be an arraignment; this is where you enter a plea, you wont be sentenced. Personally, I suggest you plead not guilty and talk to a lawyer. The lawyer can work with the prosecutor to work out a plea deal. This is your best bet since you will have to make more than one appearance in court anyway. Going to a jury trial would be a huge mistake, you have far too much evidence against you and two law enforcement officers who will testify against you. Good intentions mean nothing in a court of law and your three mistakes will weigh heavily against you with a jury.   

If this is your very first criminal offense and if your attorney is worth his or her salt, you will probably be spared any jail time. You are more than likely looking at a fine in the neighborhood of $500-$1,000, loss of hunting rights for a period of time (two years), and probably two years of probation. Again, all this could be more or less depending on the deal that is worked out with the prosecutor. But,remember our criminal justice system is based on a points system, meaning the more criminal offenses you have on your record the more points you have, the stiffer the penalty you will receive.

For what its worth, I hope this helps and good luck.

This is the best and most useful post in this topic. This guy is spot on. You need to get a lawyer. Had you not complicated your situation with additional mistakes, I would agree with the others who said not to get a lawyer. Don't get a lawyer out of your home town, or ask for the case be moved into your county. The county you offended in is familar with the charges and how they are enforced. Example-Moving it from a small county in South Eastern WA to Seattle, would be suicide. You will want to contact the top 3 lawyers in the county, which the violation took place in. They know the judges personally and are likely FREINDS with them. It makes for a much easier plea negotiation. I keep reading $5000 for lawyer fee's in the forum? That seems way out in left field. A member of our hunting camp shot a 2 point, tried to lie, etc. It cost him $1200 retainer fee and an additional $500 to handle the case. The lawyer will enter your plea for you at your first apperance. You should pled not guilty. This keeps the door open for negotiation. This is where you get the value for the money you are paying your attorney. They will negotiate on your behalf to try and minimize the charges and fee's to you. It is easy to say "don't get a lawyer" but when your standing in the court room with 50 plus people in the room hearing your case, dealing with a judge, it's not that easy. You have to be quick, know the laws, and on your A-Game or the judge will get frusterated with you and end the hearing. Then you will get nailed. You will likely get deferred prosecution with a good attorney, pay a fine, pay resitution to the court, and pay to get your gun back. I don't see you losing hunting privledges on a first offense.

[Rooster1981]

Sounds like to me you got caught poaching  .

1. you shot an Illegal deer
2. you failed to call it in
3. you carried the animal out of the woods And hid it in the back seat of your truck 
4. there were witnesses that called in the animal, and I bet they are hoping to cash in ten points
5. the most important mistake you have made, A hand written  public statement of complete fault to you and your hunting partner.

 WOW 

[JLS]

Sounds like to me you got caught poaching  .

1. you shot an Illegal deer
2. you failed to call it in
3. you carried the animal out of the woods And hid it in the back seat of your truck 
4. there were witnesses that called in the animal, and I bet they are hoping to cash in ten points
5. the most important mistake you have made, A hand written  public statement of complete fault to you and your hunting partner.

 WOW 

I disagree with #5 in this instance.  If the deck is stacked against you to the level it is here, I fail to see how owning up to your mistake is going to make things worse.

[300UltraMagShooter]

First of all let me say I am sorry for your temporary lapse in judgment,but ignorance of the law is not an excuse. I learned this the hard way myself. 

actually, it is.  where there is no intent to break the law, no law is broken.  that has been the case since our "free" country was founded.  unfortunately, this is yet another myth that has been passed down for so long that it has become common to find such error from judges top cops to even lawyers. 

sad, but just looking at our laws and regulations now, it "should" be true more so now than ever.

[Curly]

First of all let me say I am sorry for your temporary lapse in judgment,but ignorance of the law is not an excuse. I learned this the hard way myself. 

actually, it is.  where there is no intent to break the law, no law is broken.  that has been the case since our "free" country was founded.  unfortunately, this is yet another myth that has been passed down for so long that it has become common to find such error from judges top cops to even lawyers. 

sad, but just looking at our laws and regulations now, it "should" be true more so now than ever.

That may be true, however I don't think he was ignorant of the laws.  He simply made a mistake in identifying the buck as a legal one..........   And he admitted his mistakes and simply is asking for advice.