Summer Fun on the Water

Summer is a great time for generations of family, and friends, to reconnect through a day or two out on the water fishing.  There are many great places in this area to do just that, and which provide good angling and a nice getaway.  But remember that Virginia has licensing requirements for fishing in its waters, and although there are exceptions, you generally need a license to drop a line in.  So it’s important to familiarize yourself with the Commonwealth’s requirements for fishing licenses (see the link below) before you plan your outing.       

https://fishingbooker.com/blog/virginia-fishing-license/

And what happens if you get caught fishing without a license? You could be facing a misdemeanor conviction.

Virginia Code Section 29.1-335 states that

“No person shall hunt, trap, or fish without having obtained a license when such a license is required. For the purposes of this article, the term "license" shall include any temporary license issued by a clerk or agent to a buyer and authorized to be used in a manner prescribed by the Director. Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor and shall pay to the clerk a fee equal to the cost of the required license to be paid into the state treasury and credited to the game protection fund.

The purchase of a license subsequent to an arrest or notice of summons to appear in court for hunting, trapping or fishing without a license shall not relieve the person from the penalties specified in this section.”

To help try and avoid a misdemeanor conviction under these circumstances, it’s important to get help from an experienced criminal defense attorney.  With over 60 years of experience, Petrovich and Walsh will help you through it.

Mark Petrovich