ATV Florida Forum

We were out for a night ride over the weekend and got stopped by FWC. There were no signs and we had been riding there for over 16 years. Three couples taking it slow on utility bikes. He was sorta being a jerk, accused us of tearing down the signs. He gave the drivers "notice to appear". Anyone know what we can expect in court? I have a client whose a lawyer, said he can get us off with just court costs. However, he wants $150 each.

Oh well, no more fun.

Where were you ridin at?

We were in Debary around the twin lakes. The route we take has no signs at all. He said Progress Energy has them patroling the area.

is it a citation or notice differnce in notice to appear of PTA promise to appear that goes down in your record as an arrest

It is a "notice to appear".

what county is this in?  where is this place you were at?

What do you expect? If it's not your property and you don't have permission to ride there, you can't complain. You were trespassing and you got caught. Now be a big boy and deal with the consequences.

I'm pretty sure that if you didn't have written permission from the landowner you were technically trespassing. We all know what we are doing when we ride on private property or at least should. Unfortunately ya got caught so just pay up and start riding legal. If it was Progress Energy property, the big overhead lines and huge steel towers didn't tip ya off that you were on someone else's property? Court appearance does sound a little extreme though. Sorry about your luck.

I am a big boy and do intend on paying the penalty. I was only here to share my experience and to see what kind of fines we might be looking at.

We pay enough for electric that they should let us ride free on that property.  ;)

Hell f**k Ya!! I'm with you on that one!!!!

He should have just got id's, run your info to make sure you were clear or not wanted, and told you to get off of the property and not to come back. Not saying he was wrong for doing it the way he did but he may have been upset. Especially if he had already been bombarded with with other riders.

By citing you, the FWC has accomplished far more than simply letting you go with a warning. You're now letting a large group of potential and actual trespassers know of the consequences.

so where was this ? in what county? can you specify the area?

You had a "free" riding spot for 16 years... Now its time to pay your entry fees.  So long as theres no criminal charges filled I'd say you worked the system pretty well. Good luck... 

Zman, it was in Volusia county in Orange City. There is a pretty big area right near my house. We stay off the power lines normally but i guess we wandered a little too close.

Hey Joe, I grew up in Brandon, my family is all there. I remember when Lumsden was a dirt road!

It's hard to find dirt anywhere near lumsden now... I live near lumsden and providence, been here a little over a year, great place to live.

Well if ya wouldn't have tore all the signs down ya would've known you were on the powerlines!  ;D

where exactly was this?over near home depot off vets memorial?