I got a citation at a MO state park, and want to contest it. I contacted the chief ranger, who seemed to be very understanding at first; but now, he isn't getting back to me. I need to speak to someone higher than him, if necessary. Court is next month, and I want to settle this, if possible, before then. It was for jumping off a bridge.

Have you consulted the state park rule book about bridge use? The rules are posted at trailheads.

***ADDED*** A quick Googling of MO state park rules tells me hikers are not to leave the trail, are to walk across bridges without leaning on, standing on, or in any way messing with railings, and are not to enter rivers and streams beneath those bridges.

I'm guessing you don't have a defense.

That's totally beside the point; there was no posted signs, and reading a book about the laws of the park isn't required reading in order to enter the park. There was no trail head, since I wasn't on a trail.

That's totally beside the point; there was no posted signs, and reading a book about the laws of the park isn't required reading in order to enter the park. There was no trail head, since I wasn't on a trail.

According to MO state park rules, hikers are supposed to stay on the trails AND not enter streams or rivers.

Did you read the rules when you became a member of this site? I'm guessing no, since you've broken at least one already.

Dan1el, you were on private property where they can dictate what is acceptable and what is not.

If you REALLY believe that you did nothing wrong, then get an attorney to defend you and counter sue them for your costs.

Not at my cost; since the parks are made FOR the peoples' enjoyment.

Secondly, I am doing things my way, and the question I asked was specifically (in other words), was, "Who do I speak with if the Ranger won't contact me?"

#1 If they want me to abide by the rules, they need to make it mandatory for me to read the book before entering the park (as a condition).
#2 It was off a highway bridge that I jumped; so, it wasn't necessarily "on a trail", nor "off a trail", if by "trail" you mean "designated hiking area". It wasn't designated as a "no-hiking" area.

#1 (or else, how am I supposed to know EVERY rule they make?)

Can you please point me to the exact rule that I broke? Was it rating the comments of users who comment on my questions? If so, why make it possible to rate a comment if I'm not supposed to?

Daniel, what was it that you were cited for?

the parks are made FOR the peoples' enjoyment.

Playgrounds are made for kids' enjoyment, but there are rules of behavior. Streets and roads are made for peoples' enjoyment and to allow them to go from place to place, but there are traffic rules. The roller coaster ride at the amusement park is there for peoples' enjoyment, but there are rules if one wants to ride on one. Missouri state parks (and Illinois ones and NYS ones and Indiana ones and Wisconsin ones and Michigan ones and Idaho ones and Utah ones and Colorado ones -- all the ones I've been to) are there for visitors' enjoyment, but there are written rules if one wants to visit and be in one.

In the original post, I included that it was for "jumping off of a bridge" -- a highway bride, too, apparently. (>.<)

You're really not answering the question, are you? Thanks for your thoughts, though. Have good day.

a highway bride, too, apparently

Those highways brides will get you every time.

If you respond in the Answer box instead of the Comment box, you will be able to correct any misspellings.

Why did they cite you for jumping off a bridge? What was their reasoning?

#1 Thanks.
# 2 Well, that it is against their rules. Ranger proceeded to inform me that it was for our own safety; yet, he also watched (with binoculars) us walk up the highway, and waited for three of us to jump off before stopping us. Doesn't sound like he was convinced I was being unsafe; sounds more like he wanted to give us a ticket.

#1 Thanks.

You're welcome. But you're still not responding in the Answer box. Do I need to stand up and walk over there to show you where it is? Life would be so much easier for you if you use the Answer box.

# 2 Well, that it is against their rules.

Oh, those rules. Dear me.

Ranger proceeded to inform me that it was for our own safety; yet, he also watched (with binoculars) us walk up the highway, and waited for three of us to jump off before stopping us. Doesn't sound like he was convinced I was being unsafe; sounds more like he wanted to give us a ticket.

I'm guessing you are under 21 and are not into environmental stuff. Not only was your safety a concern, but also the safety of the river you were in, the wildlife, the river banks, and the flora in and along the river.

Had you all been drinking? Did you all jump in fully clothed? Why jump in? Did you leap over the railing?

#1 What is the difference?
#2 Please treat me with care; not rage -- if not, you're wrong to begin with, no matter what you say. This is not easy, but it is the True Way.
#3 I am 28.
#4 I understand SOME things about enviro... we were swimming in a designated swimming/boating area.
#5 No; I don't think I'd swim if I'd had a beer; fully clothed, for the excitement of it, jumped over the guard rails that keep cars from falling in.

#1 What is the difference?

I would be able to quote you instead of doing this silly italics thing, and you would be able to go back to edit misspellings or correct your wording. It's win-win for both of us.

#2 Please treat me with care; not rage -- if not, you're wrong to begin with, no matter what you say. This is not easy, but it is the True Way.

No, my way is the True Way. I have no rage. I just finished eating a glorious roast beef sandwich on rye.

#3 I am 28.
Interesting.

#4 I understand SOME things about enviro... we were swimming in a designated swimming/boating area.

That's good that you were following the rules at that time. So where you jumped in was a designated swimming area, with boats all around?

#5 No; I don't think I'd swim if I'd had a beer; fully clothed, for the excitement of it, jumped over the guard rails that keep cars from falling in.

One of the rules is to stay off the guardrails. You're not even supposed to lean on them.

Why jump in fully clothed? Did you have dry clothing to change into? Was this a peer pressure thing? Or one of those jackass (i.e. note the TV show and movie) moments where everyone takes the dare?

#0 i. FIRST, this is entirely off-topic; ii. I would prefer to comment because this is NOT an "ANSWER" to my question.
#1 K
#2 This isn't about food; just care, r else we miss the entire point.
#3 K
#4 Yep; some were fishing, etc. etc.
#5 Once again, they need to POST rules. I had full SWIMMING ATTIRE. I don't watch that show. We thought it would be fun.

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Originally Posted by dan1el

#0 i. FIRST, this is entirely off-topic; ii. I would prefer to comment because this is NOT an "ANSWER" to my question.

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Thank you for using the Answer feature. See how much nicer that is?!

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#2 This isn't about food; just care, r else we miss the entire point.

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Be careful. Texting is forbidden on this site. It's one of the rules.

You accused me of having rage. I countered by telling you how happy I am.

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#4 Yep; some were fishing, etc. etc.

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No problem with hooks in the face or body? Seems strange that fishing and swimming are allowed in the same area.

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#5 Once again, they need to POST rules. I had full SWIMMING ATTIRE. I don't watch that show. We thought it would be fun.

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I'm guessing the rules are posted, just not at every ten feet. Plus, the rules are on the Internet for each state park. Plus, there's something called common sense.

No one thought of consequences? Just do it?

My guess is that the citation was not for "jumping off a bridge". The citation should list the name of the local, city or state law that you violated. Were you not cited for a specific violation other than "jumping off a bridge"?. and did your citation not include the number of the local, city or state law that you violated?

Do your homework. Look up the local, city or state law that is noted on the citation.

Scan a copy of the citation and post it here. We might be able to help more if we see the citation that you got.

#4 lol its really big body of vasser
#5 i.nope; no rules posted in sight ii. Long story, but I'm looking to contend the (total of) $450 fines we incurred.

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Originally Posted by dan1el

Court is next month, and I want to settle this, if possible, before then. It was for jumping off of a bridge.

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Hello d:

Cops don't settle tickets, they issue them. They're not obligated to discuss it with you. If you're not guilty, tell the judge. The COURTROOM is where discussions take place.

excon

#4 lol its really big body of vasser

It's Wasser, not vasser.

#5I'm looking to contend the (total of) $450 fines we incurred.

You're looking to contest the fine, not contend it. Please read excon's answer.

Actually, it literally says those words.

As for "doing homework", that's what I'm doing.

I may post the citation later; I don't have a scanner available 24/7.

We'll see ;)

Thanks all; but no answer as of yet.

Please post ANSWERS; if no answer to the question, please don't post "Answer"s.

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Originally Posted by dan1el

Please post ANSWERS; if no answer to the question, please don't post "Answer"s.

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This is a public site, a public board. Once you post a question, you will get a variety of responses, some you may like and some you don't, but you cannot dictate who is to answer and what can be said.

As for the answer you are looking for --

The rangers are all government employees. Their boss is the Missouri State Park system which is run by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, telephone 1-800-334-6946 email [email protected]. Also,

Director's Office
Staff within the Director's Office coordinate information to the public and provide guidance on issues of policy, affirmative action, risk management, and training and education. 573-751-2479.

Facility and Visitor Services Program

The Facility and Visitor Services Program is responsible for concession management, special events and marketing activities, and support for field operations through operational planning, service delivery, activity permitting and compliance with regulations. 573-751-8553

I found all that information within a minute by Googling. But we did have fun meanwhile.

Thanks. :)

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Originally Posted by dan1el

Thanks. :)

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Please tell me you had fun too as we wandered over to this page.

I will address the actual issue, it does not matter who their boss is, or who their boss is, A ranger is like a police officer they are a sworn Post Certerified Officer. Once their ticket is written and given to the court, only the DA can drop the charges. The rangers boss, the head of the park department in MO can not drop the charges. Even the officer can not drop charges now.

All that can happen now, is a plea deal with the DA before court. Or a defense that the judge will accept.

I will give you a similar example, In MO all unposted roads have a speed limit, so there is no signs that say the speed on that road is ( I think it is 45) but if you go faster than that, you get a ticket. There is no sign posted, no notice given, it is a public road but there is a law on the books, that even if you don't know, it does not matter.

Thanks, man; I'm convinced that this is a different case because a) it is a state park, and b) there is a sign posted next to a parking lot telling people not to park on the grass - something you'd think would be "common sense".

First state park, state highway, all state owned property

And statue law is what it is called, when there are laws on the books and you are charged with them. And you will find out very fast, that "common sense" has no place in court. It is facts, I would take photos of the area, of the parking, take photos of the trail, show how it is so common for people to be jumping, take photos of others jumping nad so on. To actually have a defense.

I will say, this year they are really cracking down on jumping from bridges fairly well across the US, it is a large safety campaign, like the seat belt thing.

In Georgia, they increased the fines almost triple, and judges are using the first people who are arrested as examples to others.

I'm not worried. Thanks.

BTW Wondergirl, your answer was not a good one; apparently, the rangers with whom I dealt have no relations at all with the people to whom the information you shared belongs.

Thanks.

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Originally Posted by dan1el

BTW Wondergirl, your answer was not a good one; apparently, the rangers with whom I dealt have no relations at all with the people to whom the information you shared belongs.

Thanks.

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You asked for the chief ranger's boss, who hired him. That is what I found.

Did you make any calls?

Yep. I guess there is a differentiation between County and State Parks. Sorry.