Got a ticket from H.P.D. Sunday on Lake Houston, my 9 year old daughter had taken off her life jacket after we had pulled into our first spot. I had just put the t/m down and picked up my rod when I saw them comming, waveing to me to come back to them. They asked her age which I told them, and told me they were zero tolerance cops and I would be issued a citaion for her not having it on. She had just taken it off and was getting her rod as well! I checked the laws a couple of years ago and swore we were in compliance but he insisted that I was wrong. So now I have a ticket! Yesterday I checked and sure as chit the TPWD site says (13 years old or younger must wear a PFD while underway). Im P/Oed and wondering if anybody else has had this happen? I believe that they were wrong and should be the ones taking the (Boater Safety Course) rather than me.

If the t/m is down and your moving using motorized power... your still underway. Unless your beached, anchored or tied off. I paid the extra $$ to get my kids comfortable "ski jackets" so they wouldn't complain about constantly wearing them.

That is the law. I have 2 kids older than you daughter and they must keep their PFD on at all times while in the boat underpower or anchored. Both are strong swimmers, but it is just not worth the chance of the tragedy that could happen. They have done this since they were little and don't even question it anymore. I took both of them shopping for their vests and let them pick it out so they have some ownership in their vests.

Things happen very quick on the water!

The other thing about PFDs is if you have an inflateable, and you are not wearing it, it does not count toward the number of life jackets you have in the boat. Its as though its back at the truck.

The troll motor was stuck in the mud, I had to pull it up to go back to them. I saw 1ft flashing on the depthfinder! We both laughed at that, while I was getting a ticket, glad she has a sense of humor. Matter of fact when he asked me if I was anchored I replied that the t/m was anchored to the bottom. Just blows me away that they would give me a ticket for such b/s! (huntsetter1) if I had been anchored in 100' of water that would have been good acoording to him, he did not see the humor in the t/m response, he repeatedly asked if I was anchored or tying to a tree! I do not see that in the tpwd rules!

I understand your frustration and I would hope that under the circumstances they would have given you a warning since she had just taken it off. I know another guy who got a ticket last summer in similair circumstances. Unfortunatly they are right, and thats the law though.

It's always frustrating getting a ticket and especially under those circumstances. Sometimes I wish the cops would exercise some discretion when enforcing the law. I guess budget is tight and cities need the funds. I got a boating ticket that I didn't agree with either but I ended up paying the fine 'cause it's just not worth fighting it.

Uhh you guys are'nt helpin here! Looks like BARNEY wins again..

take it to the judge and let him decide

Go to court and challenge it. Cannot hurt. Take your daughter, it would be a great learning experience and you both tell what happened. You have the right. They got me and my son 9 yrs back,he was 14 just small for his age, GW was a young one. We went to court with school transcript, school id and birth certificate. Thrown out with an apology!!! He and I are still is proud of that. You have the voice, raise it!

you know if you are doing 35 in a 30, 60 in a 55, it is still speeding....

seatbelts do save lives,,,,, and people drown for not wearing lifejackets... just because you deemed it safe for your daughter appearantly the police nor the law did.....


and no i am not a donut eater

It depends on your county, but in some places when you contest the ticket, they call you in and the prosecutor offers you a deal - reduced fine, "probation", etc. You don't actually get to talk to the judge to plead your case. You just get to accept/reject the deal. If you reject it they schedule a trial and that's where the cop shows up, the prosecutor presents the charge, and you have to adhere to proper court procedures to present your defense (or hire a lawyer). The key point hinges on whether you were underway or not. Maybe just take the plea deal and reduced fine?