When a fishing buddy isn't

Mired in a rattlesnake pit of liers.  I lost my case. It was close and the judge wavered but in the end he stated based on the DFG agents testimony I find you guilty.

The warden came into court and denied my fishing buddy reeled in the line in violation.  He did reel in that line.
When presented with an accurate digram of where all the parties at the scene were he said that he didn't think was accurate. It was completely accurate and shows me piloting the boat and thus not reeling in the line in violation.
When presented with the fact that the fishing buddy had held up his hand and said "Ill take the ticket" said it never happened.


It is very very sad when agents of our government are willing to come into court and make things up. How do men live so devoid of honor? I feel far more sad for my neighbor and the warden than angry. I lost some money buy they have given away something far more valuable.

Didn't the violator go with you and admit guilt. That should be a slam dunk. 

If anything similar ever happens again don't sign ticket until you can speak with a supervisor.  They deal with hundreds of folks between court apperances and any possible issues should be taken care of immediately while fresh in everyone's mind. I am sure the judge just thought the violation was there, so just as easy to give you the fine than to take up any more time in court.   

Lots of lessons learned on this one. 

Well stated Goat rocker. I have had cops flat out lie in court before. It is very disheartening. Cops are humans and there are honorable ones and there are shitty ones. Sounds like you got a shitty one.

What is the warden's name?

I would rather not name the warden at this time. I am considering an appeal and dragging all three wardens and my neighbor who were at the scene into court. Not because of the money. It will cost me more than the citation to do it but because it so violates my idea of right and wrong. The warden did also bring up the notion of everyone onboard being potentially liable and the judge gave that great weight. I believe he was leaning my way prior to that being brought up. So that issue remains though the judge stated his decision was based on the Warden saying I reeled in the line. Which again was not the case.

pay the fine....then get in line.
 and FYI = the goverment has been lying for a long time now.

Sell the Boat also.

Yeah, you might as well forget about an appeal.  Sounds like the court made a factual determination based upon a dispute of the versions presented by the witnesses.  Its not the type of legal argument that is ordinarily reviewed on appeal. 

And spill the warden's name already!  Better cough it up Goat Rocker and don't make us dig cuz you know we will!   
OK, fine, if you don't want to ID the chump, at least look up his salary and tell us how much he's getting paid to perjure himself and dishonor the uniform

http://www.sacbee.com/statepay/#req=employee%2Ftop%2Fyear%3D2013

I have had cops flat out lie in court before. It is very disheartening. Cops are humans and there are honorable ones and there are shitty ones. Sounds like you got a shitty one.

well put jack

Sorry about the Bullshit decision. I ran into a bullshit decision back in the mid eighties when you had to cut the tail fin off a salmon sportfish.  that rule didnt last long because all the problems it was causing

I was fishing just east of the Golden gate bridge because the main part of the ocean was to rough. Had three passengers in the boat that were all sick. Caught a nice 20 lb salmon. Threw the fish in the cooler and went around the corner to sausilito to gut and cut the tail. As soon as i pull over and pull the fish out of the ice chest. Fish and Game comes up on me.T he Warden see's me holding the fish up and I tell him i pulled over to clean and cut the tail. He now tells me he needs to board my boat. Party over. Would not listen to anything i had to say. I told him he had to have seen i just caught the fish and i pulled over in the cove because the water was so rough.

Long story short. He tells me he is doing me a favor by writing me a ticket and letting me keep the fish. I tell him he is not doing me a favor because he had to have seen me catch the fish and i had just pulled over to clean it because it was rough out there and everyone was sick.

So my ticket is in Marin. I take a day off for court and it has been pulled from the docket. i ask the clerk what is going on. She tells me that the Warden can pull the citation but has several months to reissue it. If i dont follow up it will turn into a warrant. She tells me to be careful and to follow up. I do follow ups with no notification in the mail, he reissues it. Vendictive Bastard. So another day off work Talk to the D.A. and tell him my story. He didnt dismiss the case but dropped the fine down to 75.00. At least he was somewhat understanding

Alex

Sorr,but do not ever refuse to sign a citation.  Regardless if it is either for an infraction or misdemeanor.  You can be arrested and taken to jail.  Prior to signing, you can request to speak to a supervisor but that is all it is, a request.  The request can be denied.

Don't ask me how I know, I just know.

Sorr,but do not ever refuse to sign a citation.  Regardless if it is either for an infraction or misdemeanor.  You can be arrested and taken to jail.  Prior to signing, you can request to speak to a supervisor but that is all it is, a request.  The request can be denied.

Don't ask me how I know, I just know.

Yeah that's a better way. 

Lying is standard procedure for these dickheads.  The punk who lied about my son is now a supervisor!  You may have seen him on the TV show "Wardens".  He wasn't so big when he had to hand over to me the so called "sting money" that he took from my son.

The reason the name should come up. Is because if we run into the same warden we will be sure to dot our I's and cross the tees. If we have a cam corder use it, if this guy is around. After all we are protecting our right to a fir trial.

Welcome to the lazy, inept world of State/federally funded bureaucracy...
Should have had your buddy with you in court... jerk offs...