Got a fine shooting at SGL range

[streaker69]

Does he have video of you shooting at an improper location? If not, it's his word against yours. If the judge believes him over you, that's an inherent bias for the cop's testimony.

[Walleye Hunter]

I tried to explain to him, I was calm the whole time. He sounded like he was in a very bad mood.
If I plea not guilty, anyone know if I must show up in person to court, or if I can write a statement and send it in, in place of me being there.

You have to go in person.

[DukeConnor]

Find some articles about firearms being stolen at sgl ranges and show the judge. It would be irresponsible to leave a firearm unattended.

[wew3]

Find some articles about firearms being stolen at sgl ranges and show the judge. It would be irresponsible to leave a firearm unattended.

I believe that his first appearance will be before a local magistrate who, from what I've heard, always sides with the game warden.

[cdi]

I'd fight it.
Pcg cops are well known to be f'd up from being poorly funded and poorly trained. And notorious for have a Cartman attitude.
In a word, they suck.

[Walleye Hunter]

I believe that his first appearance will be before a local magistrate who, from what I've heard, always sides with the game warden.

In Bucks County they might but I've had good luck in magisterial court against local po leece around here and I'd give it a shot.

[tlnzz1]

Pa SGL ranges are set up with regulations to make the Game Commission revenue . Even a lawyer that understands the regulations would have a hard time avoiding an infraction and fine. They say the regulations are for safety. Who is unsafe if you have the range to yourself?

[DukeConnor]

I believe that his first appearance will be before a local magistrate who, from what I've heard, always sides with the game warden.

Judge, magistrate whatever. It makes no difference in the context of my statement.

[Spaceballs]

The court is going to side with the game warden I'd bet.

But.... you have the right to cross examine.

Ask in court if the game warden saw you firing from a closer position.

If he says yes, ask if he has body or dash camera footage showing that.

Ask if he took photos of where the brass fell.

Ask how far in front of the bench, exactly, he saw you firing from.

You might get lucky and have him bumble over his answers and sound like a doofus in front of the judge, who may or may not care.

But on appeal you'd have a good case if the judge found you guilty based on a witness with no answers or evidence presented. However....last I heard...appeals are costly and time consuming.

[eagleclaw]

If the District Justice where the citation is filed is within your voting district it may give you a small advantage. Sometimes District Judges will dismiss a small violation rather than find a voter in their voting district guilty. Secondly I suggest researching the section that you were wrote up for in the PA Game code which can be found online. Find out what are the elements of the violation. If the section says merely taking an uncased firearm down range or away from a designated firing station is illegal, then they have you. However if the section doesn't say that, then you might have a defense.