1st Offroad Experience

[Robert D]

Well I finally took the truck out this Spring Break to Chalk Bluff near Uvalde, TX. We crossed a riverbed with a gravel bottom and were driving around on the gravel. The truck worked great, and to the suprise of the Jeep-owners I was with it didn't get stuck. Our only problem with the excursion was the Game Warden who wrote us 200.00 fines for crossing a state-owned riverbed. The issue I have is there were no signs, nobody told us at the park to not cross them, and there were hundreds of tracks through the gravel where we crossed. If it is such a problem they should post a sign somewhere. Now 4 of us have to pay 200.00 when we were oblivious to the law. It turns out the law is only 3 years old and I bet they love tagging out-of-towners for it. Such a dirty business.

 

[GotBoykins]

Look, if you are going in a unfamiliar area you should learn the law. Off roading is getting tight and more and more land is getting lost because of stupid people and tree huggers. If you would have got on the little known database called the internet, you most likely would have found out about the law! Sorry I have no sympathy for the ticket.



Glad to hear your truck performed well though.

 

[cegusman]

Get a lawer and fight it, should only cost $75-$100

 

[Leper]

That was a bill that passed a while ago. We lost all priveledges to water crossings.

 

[crazyhole812]

That was a bill that passed a while ago. We lost all priveledges to water crossings.

but the illegal mexicans didn't

 

[blazinzuk]

It sucks you got the ticket, but it is our resposibility to know about laws even though sometimes it is hard to do. Find an off road club I am sure Texas has a state 4x4 assc (if they don't they should ) join up with fellow wheelers pick their brains. Also I have found that some officers of the law ( BLM Forest Service mostly) hate off roaders (some don't I know) and can usually find something to give us a ticket for. That law sucks and the only way to change it is with a big group of well organized poeple. BTW I would fight the ticket too

 

[jekbrown]

lol, you should "know the law". I'm sorry, but if there are so many laws in this country that lawyers have to be specialized into certain fields (personal injury, divorce etc) how can any joe-six-pack guy who isn't a lawyer possibly know them all? There are well over 20,000 laws just related to guns...

j

 

[AZ79K5Project]

Tickets suck. I got a ticket on a local lake on my jet ski. I was too close to a swimmer. I didn't know that law. Paid it.

Look, if you are going in a unfamiliar area you should learn the law.

Not always possible.

lI'm sorry, but if there are so many laws in this country that lawyers have to be specialized into certain fields (personal injury, divorce etc)

Not trying to throw flames. The specialization is different types of litigtion. Criminal law is a specialty of its own, which incorporates all criminal law of a jurisdiction. Personal injury and divorce are civil law litigation.

Bottom line, "Tread lightly" and its our responsibility to know the local laws and ordinances.

Piece of advice - Don't go to court with the excuse of lack of knowledge. That tends to piss off most judges. You may be able to let the court know about the indications that it was OK and the appearance that you were in a general use area. Most courts have the ability to lower or increase fines depending on the facts.

Good luck.

 

[Robert D]

I live about 140 miles from the court; so I'll most likely not make a visit. We tried to stop by the JP's office on the way out of town but he was not there. His secretary says he goes as low as 125.00, but he already told one of the guys who was issued a fine that 200.00 is as low as he will go. I just think it is pretty lame to fine people that much when there are no signs what-so-ever out there.

 

[chopped&bobbed77burb]

but the illegal mexicans didn't

I bet soon the border patrol will be handing out towels so they can dry their backs off .

 

[onetonbb74]

They set up a sting, that sucks, I watched rangers do that once and they were driving through to make the tracks so it looks more obvious its open. Similar thing happened to me and i would fight it. I would drive 140 miles in my yota to see that dirty cop in court and most likely an appearance gets a drop in penalties even if you lose. But I fight ALL tickets no matter where they are.

 

[AZ79K5Project]

They set up a sting, that sucks, I watched rangers do that once and they were driving through to make the tracks so it looks more obvious its open. Similar thing happened to me and i would fight it. I would drive 140 miles in my yota to see that dirty cop in court and most likely an appearance gets a drop in penalties even if you lose. But I fight ALL tickets no matter where they are.

How many tickets do you get???

My younger days, I think I bought Phoenix PD a motorcycle by the number of speeding tickets I got. I deserved everyone, except on Thanksgiving. They were supposed to be off.

It'a a consiracy, the Game Worden get's 10% of the proceeds.

 

[rwright07]

haha i got one on thanksgiving 2 years ago... 11 over down a giant ass hilll....
gay
got one 3 weeks ago
same spot same speed
F&*&ing weak

 

[Robert D]

They gave a ticket out for each car that was there. They're making 800.00 off of us...