felony stop for littering!!

[Blackcloud6]

Consult a lawyer, period. Don't take internet advice.

 

[Selfdfenz]

Just like with any other type of LEO, Game Wardens, Wildfire Enforcement Officers, DNR or P&W Officers represent a specrrtum of skills and professionalism.
Some are great.
Some otherwise.This Officer seems like he was in the otherwise camp.
It could be the DNR has been having problems at the range and you were just one of the lucky fall guys.

Recently I seem to meet more Wildlife Officers that seem to be environmentalist wackos or..... frustrated cops that couldn't get the jobs they wanted as State Troopers. They are looking for the smallest infraction. They rule the woods like it is on orders from God. That mindset has to start at the top.

Soon they will have the woods to themselves as there are fewer hunters going afield each season. More birders and hikers and pot growers, but fewer hunters. Maybe that's the idea.

S-

 

[blades67]

One of us out of line. Was it me?

No, Cliff, that ------ with a badge was way out of line.

 

[standingbear]

....

by any chance was this guys last name fife?(as in barney)

 

[ajacobs]

While I don't have any imput that hasn't already been mentioned in this thread, I am supprised at the low opinion of "wildlife" officers (not this one in particuler but them in general. I know each state runs there's diferently but I guess we are lucky in the north east. Every one, in every state I have delt with has been very professional and extreemly well trained. Up here in most states people who can't make it into the game wardens or enviromental conservation officers etc end up as state police.

 

[Gordon]

NO EXCUSE not to just issue citation at the worst. This moron needs to be stopped before he shoots somebody for grabassing or less!

 

[SCarruth]

I believe in April 2001 the Supreme Court of the US ruled that it was ok to arrest for minor offenses such as traffic. I believe the case was a lady was arrested because she failed to buckle her kids up.

I'll echo everyones advice, get a lawyer. Also, file a complaint with the officer's agency. I am sorry you had to go through that. I am a paralegal for a criminal defense lawyer and I hear about that crap all of the time. Good Luck

 

[M1911]

Every one, in every state I have delt with has been very professional and extreemly well trained. Up here in most states people who can't make it into the game wardens or enviromental conservation officers etc end up as state police.

I've dealt with several during hunting season, when they were checking my hunting license and firearms license. All were polite, professional, and easy going. I suspect that it helped that I was polite, cooperative, properly licensed, and following the rules.

 

[2nd Amendment]

In Indiana they're often called 'possum cops and they are an odd breed. They are either the finest cops you'll ever meet, with professionalism and attitude beyond reproach, or the most crooked, apathetic ticket-writing power-mongers you'll ever encounter. I've never met one that wasn't either/or. Amazing how there can be such total opposites in the same profession and with no middle ground at all.

 

[The Plainsman]

Spoonman...

As several folks have already recommended - get an attorney. As the eldest son of an attorney, many, many times have I witnessed the futility of "remedial" law when a little up-front, "preventative" law would have resolved the entire matter. It's money well spent, considering the alternative. I'm sure the lawyers in our midst would heartily agree.

From a strictly amateur detective perspective, I would ask - can the DNR officer prove that you and/or your son moved the target? And, can he prove that any or all of the empty shell casings were left by you and/or your son? In other words, can he produce any evidence (fingerprints, etc.) to support his accusations? Was he an eye witness to your transgressions? If so, where was he situated? Given what you witnessed at the range, could he have observed any of this without you or your son seeing him? Any reason he couldn't/wouldn't have cautioned you at the time, assuming he actually observed you?

If you and your son haven't already, make LOTS of notes - when, where, who, why, what, times, dates, circumstances, etc., from start to finish. If you actually wind up in a courtroom proceeding, your memory won't count for crap. Odds are, the DNR officer has made few, if any, notes and you (or preferably your attorney) and your notes can make him look pretty foolish in front of the judge.

 

[Mute]

First, that guy is an idiot. Second, if the law does give him the authority to arrest you for what you did, then the law is screwed and needs to be done away with.

I have no need for lousy LEOs or lousy legislation.