Tourist Caught with 24 Illegal Fish; Charged with Criminal Fishing Violations

A Wildlife Conservation Officer stopped a vacationing fisherman with an illegal catch. The Officer found 3 undersized Gag Groupers and 21 undersized Mangrove Snappers. The fisherman also violated the law with catching over the legal bag limit of Mangrove Snapper. The Officer arrested the tourist for the criminal fishing violations. RESULT: The Defense filed a Plea in Abesentia since the Client resided out of the State. The Defense entered into heated negotiations on behalf of the Client. The State agreed to DROP the charges for fishing over the legal bag limit. The Court ruled no formal finding of guilt on the remaining fishing violations resulting in NO CONVICTION.