USFS parking ticket??

[TrailDog]

I was down hunting SWest Montana the other week and got a parking ticket from what I can only assume was a Forest Service LEO. Now, pardons if any of you reading this are Forest Service LEOs...

But, I was parked in a turnout near a gate, there was a full 15' next to my vehicle. In fact, a friend drove by me perfectly fine with his camper. Anyhow, I got a STEEP ticket (over $200) for "Blocking a gate", which has never happened to me in 15 years of recreating on public land. Also worth noting, I work for federal land mgmt agency...I'm familiar with how to park a rig, to say the least. I also don't have region specific plates, so it's not like the officer was hating on me for being from out of town...

I'm curious...with the federal government being shut down and everything...what happens if you don't pay? Anyone have experience with this? Obviously not looking to promote the breaking of laws...but I'm a little pissed off by this fine. Not only because I'm a broke public servant just trying to hunt elk on public land...but because I wasn't actually blocking access or doing anything wrong.

Thoughts?

 

[Pony Soldier]

Never heard of such a thing and I have seen lots of vehicles parked blocking gates during hunting season.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Hope you took lots of pictures.

 

[cnelk]

Probably an AI generated ticket that some AHole put on your rig.

Someone posted on another thread about doing that.

 

[GunsAreFun]

Post a picture if you don’t mind…blackout personal info.

I’m guessing it’s fake.

 

[black dawg]

Any pictures of how you were parked?
Got a warning many years ago, that was parked in no way blocking the gate. My dad got one the same day parked at another gate in the same area. Also not blocking the gate.

 

[7mm-08]

Well, depending on how serious you are about this situation, you can decide to follow the appeal instructions on the citation and request a hearing in front of a U.S. Magistrate instead of paying the fine to resolve the matter. That may entail travel on your part to attend a hearing but it sounds from the tone of your post that this is something you might do. If push comes to shove, the U.S. Attorney's Office will likely dismiss the citation if your posture (prior to a hearing) indicates you have evidence (photos and witnesses) that can establish the LEO who wrote the citation was being overzealous in his/her actions in doing so. If you're REALLY serious, hire competent defense counsel and have them engage with the Assistant United States Attorney assigned to the case sooner than later. PM me if you find yourself in this lane in the District of Idaho and I'll give you the name of the best defense firm in the state.

EDIT Sorry I missed this happened in Montana. I have an excellent lawyer referral for you there as well and can provide in a PM.

2nd EDIT The U.S. Courts are considered "essential services" and remain open during a Government shutdown. Please don't ignore this. You'll regret that choice for certain.

 

[TrailDog]

Definetly won't be hiring a lawyer anytime soon... Thanks for the input fellas!

 

[JREG19]

My buddy got a ticket once for driving on a closed road from fs. It is a big road that had just been graded and opened up 2 days later. Even the local sheriff said he wouldn't ticket any one for driving on it, but apparently fs didnt get that message. Haha my buddy is a bit of an anarchist and wanted to fight it in court, so he did and they laughed at him and he still had to pay the ticket...

It's the federal government, they don't care about us or the spirit of a law... At the end of the day it's your word against his. If you are willing to die on that hill as a matter or principle, get an attorney and go to court. Maybe they will drop it but it will cost your time and peace of mind at the very least. Or just pay it and move on. What isn't an option is to not pay... The pain they can cause isn't worth a couple of hundred bucks.

Sorry if that came off as preachy. I'm very principle driven myself, but I'm not going to cut off my nose to spite my face, that's just dumb.