Misdemeanor on Jet skis?

[KobeBryant833]

I got a misdemeanor for negligent operations on a jet ski? That makes no sense and i have to go to court for it? What approach should i take when i talk to the judge. I'm 19 and have no prior record.

[Hawk]

Judge will probably throw it out. What was your dumbass doing to get stopped on a jet ski?

[KobeBryant833]

Thats what i was thinking, but i don't know if its worth it to hire a lawyer. We were within a 100 feet of our other jet ski. No body on the lake ever follows that rule.

[Hawk]

Thats what i was thinking, but i don't know if its worth it to hire a lawyer. We were within a 100 feet of our other jet ski. No body on the lake ever follows that rule.

Yeah, you got completely screwed with that charge. That's such a joke, I bet the judge doesn't get many of those and just sends you on your way. I've never heard of that rule and I'm on the lake all the time.

[KobeBryant833]

Ya the police in Idaho are a bunch of joke shows. They hire cops from other counties just to patrol and pull over any car or and boat not following every rule.

[bantx]

Yeah I've heard of the if you're too close to the shore with people by it rule, but not the 100 feet next to another jetski one. I go to a lake with like no rules at all to jetski, but i've been to strict lakes before and know how annoying they are.

[KobeBryant833]

Ya not to mention this lake is already way to crowded and everyone is breaking the rule. They are dick heads who write tickets to pay for their fire works

[CJSchneider]

No body on the lake ever follows that rule.

Whatever you do, don't use that line on the judge. I would say that you thought you were further than 100 feet, that is if it was close. If you were right next to the other ski, I wouldn't use that one.

[Hawk]

Whatever you do, don't use that line on the judge. I would say that you thought you were further than 100 feet, that is if it was close. If you were right next to the other ski, I wouldn't use that one.

Agree, obviously be respectful to the judge. Its such an objective charge that you can just say you didn't think you were that close. Unless the ticket specifically says something else.

[KobeBryant833]

I understand i have to be respectful when im in there. Its not like i was drinking a beer and driving a jet ski or playing chicken with someone. We were just doing what everyone does on jet skis

[CJSchneider]

If you were close, but not too close, and the cop who wrote the ticket is not there, say you had to move closer to avoid another group of swimmers or something. Make it look like you made a choice based on being safe.

[PalmerToCJ]

Ignorance of the law is no excuse so I'd probably just say you just judged the distance poorly or had to for some reason. Depending on how obvious it would've been to the officer. If you were 5 ft. from him in an open part of water with the cop right there I wouldn't go with that.

Being young and having no prior record I would hope the judge just lets it slide.

[SuperMcgee]

You should've gone with "Animals" or something more fun to lead off the thread title.

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01215/jet_ski_1215008c.jpg

See what I mean? Way better thread.

[KobeBryant833]

Haha thanks for the help. I wonder if i plead guilty and go for diversion the judge would allow that?

[TitanHope]

Owning up to your **** usually works for me, as long as I'm genuinely remorseful for what I did. Taking responsibility and showing that you're willing to take the punishment for your actions warrants a leniant decision more than trying to bull **** the judge with excuses/fake circumstances.

Be sure to show up dressed nicely, and use a lot of "Yes ma'am/sir"'s. Shows you understand the situation you're in and your respect for authority.

Good luck mang!

[KobeBryant833]

I understand i deserved a ticket or a warning but not a misdemeanor and a $200 plus ticket.