Earlier this year, Texas Parks and Wildlife proudly announced that a new tipline was in place, making it easier to report suspicious activity or violations. It’s now easier than ever to anonymously accuse someone of wildlife crime. But is that progress?
TPWD Is Collecting Tips and Reports of Illegal Activity
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is encouraging people to report suspicious activity by texting TIP411. People can also use the free Operation Game Thief App to make reports and submit photos or videos. The State even offers a bounty: Rewards of up to $1,000 are available for tips that result in a conviction.
Harsh Penalties for Wildlife Crimes
While tipline callers are offered a bounty, the accused—even if innocent—may face financial ruin. Common wildlife crimes cover several sporting areas:
- Fishing violations, such as fishing without a license, fishing in restricted areas, wasting wildlife and more.
- Hunting violations, including exceeding hunting limits, hunting out of season, trespassing and more.
- Federal wildlife violations like the Lacey Act (having, selling or transporting illegal wildlife) and CITES violations (an international law barring trading of live specimens across borders).
Depending on the circumstances, such violations can lead to jail time as well as fines or restitution to the state. If you’re convicted, it may also mean the suspension of or loss of your license and sometimes forfeiture of equipment.
It’s Easier Than Ever To Accuse Someone of a Crime
Being fined, arrested or charged with a crime is stressful at best and life-ruining at worst. Civil or criminal charges are a serious matter requiring time, attention and resources to address properly.
It’s important to consider the implications of soliciting anonymous tips and evidence from the public at large. This may be particularly true when fake images are far more accessible than they once were.
Can Anonymous Tips Be Used in Court?
Luckily, in general, it’s not possible to use an anonymous accusation in a criminal trial. That said, a tip that leads to an independent investigation finding the accusation to be true gets around the problem.
After an anonymous tip, TPWD law enforcement officials can run an independent investigation that corroborates the information in the tip. That evidence would likely be admissible in court.
Anonymous tips, as well as any other evidence presented, must be dealt with carefully and correctly by your defense team.
Countering the prosecution’s evidence and presenting your own is the heart of an effective defense. We know how to present your side of the story in court. That can make a tremendous difference in penalties, such as fines and restitution, as well as help you keep your right to hunt and fish in the future.
Contact a Federal Wildlife Violations Lawyer for a Strong Defense
At Lee & Wood, GP, you get the benefit of an experienced wildlife violations defense attorney who is also an avid hunter. You get to talk to an attorney who understands the law and the real-life circumstances hunters face. Call 817-678-6771 or contact us online to discuss your situation.