trespassing fine

[oldschool]

 Just courious what is the fine?

[jasnt]

Washington state trespassing charges are all misdemeanors or gross-misdemeanors, meaning they are punishable by up to either 90 days in jail and a $1000 fine for a misdemeanor, or up to 1 year and jail and a $5000 fine for a gross-misdemeanor.

[nontypical]

that's true except for during hunting most everyone is carry a firearm and that can be considered trespassing with a weapon can complicate things

[buckcanyonlodge]

I turned in a trespasser on one of my leases and he got a $500 fine for trespassing while hunting. Of course he worked for the wdfw... If he would have killed anything he could have lost his license for 2 years. The prosecutors office called me three times to drop the charges. Did not drop them.

[PolarBear]

Washington state trespassing charges are all misdemeanors or gross-misdemeanors, meaning they are punishable by up to either 90 days in jail and a $1000 fine for a misdemeanor, or up to 1 year and jail and a $5000 fine for a gross-misdemeanor.

You can add a beat down to that if it is on my land. 

[eastsidemallard74]

It happened to me but while hunting. I dragged a deer through 2 properties,unknowingly,got a $180 fine,retake hunters ed,and 2 years no hunting in Adam's county.

[huntinguy]

Just courious what is the fine?

According to a game warden I spoke with: you can get a heavy fine, loose hunting privileges for ... I think five years, loose anything associated with the trespass- up to and including your hunting implement and the vehicle that brought you there.

He kind of made it sound like it was as bad, penalty wise, as poaching a trophy animal.

Washington state has gotten really aggressive with the fines for "Trespassing while hunting."

[fishnfur]

You have to catch them first, and get a sheriff or warden out to confront and cite the offender. 

[180-GRAIN]

Washington state trespassing charges are all misdemeanors or gross-misdemeanors, meaning they are punishable by up to either 90 days in jail and a $1000 fine for a misdemeanor, or up to 1 year and jail and a $5000 fine for a gross-misdemeanor.

You can add a beat down to that if it is on my land. 

  exactly what I was thinking 

[OutHouse]

I've represented a few people accused of trespassing while hunting. It's always charged as 2nd degree trespass and these cases are usually ripe for a plea bargain or other deal that is favorable to the hunter. It depends on the prosecutor, but if the hunter doesn't have an extensive record, usually a deal can be negotiated where they stay clean for a year and then get the charge dismissed. Often times, the hunter didn't do anything intentionally and has no record of game violations. That type of person can get a good deal if they have someone actively working for them. Now, if the witness (usually the land owner) has had issues with the same person, then they have a tough case. I think most hunters including myself have trespassed accidentally at one time or another.

[JLS]

that's true except for during hunting most everyone is carry a firearm and that can be considered trespassing with a weapon can complicate things

Unless threats were made with the firearm, it is an irrelevant component of the violation.  It just becomes a trespassing while hunting violation instead of criminal trespass 2nd.  Both are misdemeanor violations.

[JLS]

Just courious what is the fine?

According to a game warden I spoke with: you can get a heavy fine, loose hunting privileges for ... I think five years, loose anything associated with the trespass- up to and including your hunting implement and the vehicle that brought you there.

He kind of made it sound like it was as bad, penalty wise, as poaching a trophy animal.

Washington state has gotten really aggressive with the fines for "Trespassing while hunting."

The only mandatory revocation is if an animal was killed, then it's two years mandatory suspension.  The courts are far from aggressive with it in the areas I hunt.

[boneaddict]

Someone should ask Huntnnw 

[Skyvalhunter]

Ouch!!!

[sagerat]

Sounds like it might be worth it