Fish and Game Crimes (Wanton Destruction of Protected Wildlife; Waste of Wildlife; Taking, Transporting, Selling or Purchasing Protected Wildlife; Altering a License/Certificate/Tag; Failure to Stop at Roadblocks)
Fish and Game crimes in Utah County
Hoyer Law Firm
51 E Main Street
Lehi, UT 84043
(801)901-0797
Utah boasts a wide range of wildlife, and the state government has implemented several laws to protect it. The Wildlife Resources Code of Utah governs what type of fishing and hunting is illegal in the state.
Fish and game crimes in Utah can carry hefty fines and lengthy jail times. And those charged with these types of crimes may not be aware that they’re breaking the law until law enforcement catches up with them.
If you’re charged with wildlife crime, ignorance of the law is not an excuse. You may even worsen the situation if you talk to the law enforcement officers without an attorney.
With the risk of substantial penalties, including imprisonment, loss of hunting rights, and confiscation of hunting equipment, it’s essential to seek proper legal representation when facing fish and game crime charges.
Fish and Game Crimes Charges in Utah
Below are some of the most common charges related to fish and game crimes that people face in Utah:
- Fishing or hunting without a license
- Hunting endangered wildlife
- Guiding hunting tours without a valid outfitter license
- Irresponsibly destroying protected wildlife, including abandoning carcasses
- Disrupting or interfering with a legal hunt
- Trespassing and hunting protected wildlife
It’s also illegal to interfere with, threaten, or harass conservation officers or special deputies when they are legally undertaking their duty. To ensure you get proper legal representation and a fair trial, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced defense attorney if you are accused of any of these crimes.
Penalties for Fish and Game Crimes in Utah
The penalties for fish and game crimes convictions may include imprisonment, fines and restitution, loss of hunting privileges, and confiscation of hunting equipment. Some wildlife crimes can qualify as third-degree felonies, which carry jail time and penalties worth thousands of dollars.
Here are some of Utah’s mandatory minimum restitutions for taking a “trophy animal”:
- Pronghorn – $2,000
- Bison, mountain goat, or moose – $6,000
- Elk or deer – maximum of $8,000
- Bighorn sheep – $30,000
Keep in mind that the law calculates the restitution on a per-animal basis. This means if you hunted several protected animals, you can end up paying exorbitant fines.
A fish and game crime conviction in Utah may cause you to also lose your hunting rights in 40 other states. That’s because Utah is one of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact members.
Expert Legal Assistance and Defense in Utah
You may not realize you’re committing a fish and game crime until an authority catches up with you. But it’s not a good idea to try to defend yourself without an experienced attorney. You risk aggravating the situation.
If a law enforcement officer accuses you of poaching or other hunting-related crimes in Utah, the first thing you should do is to call Hoyer Law. We’re a full-service criminal defense law firm with knowledgeable and reputable criminal law attorneys. We have extensive experience providing clients with specialized legal advice.
Hoyer Law will communicate with the authorities on your behalf and help you navigate the intricate web of fish and game crime prosecutions. Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment.
