Life jacket ticket - Ohio

[dingjing]

I am not sure if this is the correct forum to post my case. If not, please tell me which one is the best.

I rented a canoe with 2 life jackets. I asked the guy how many people can sit in the canoe. He said 4. So we had 4 people in the canoe. Then I got a citation for not having enough personal floating devices. What is my best defense?

Jing
Ohio

 

[Justice For All]

Were there any signs or papers mentioning you must have a life jacket? If not, you had no knowledge of it. I'm not saying it is a for sure win, just the best defense I can think of.

 

[efflandt]

There is no defense. I do not know anywhere that does not require a personal floatation device for every person onboard (whether anyone is required to wear them may depend upon age, type of watercraft, or what they are doing, like whitewater rafting or water skiing). Did you tell the party you were renting from that you were actually going to have 4 people aboard?

See http://www.ohiodnr.com/watercraft/opsguide/ohiovr2.htm

 

[Ohiogal]

Were there any signs or papers mentioning you must have a life jacket? If not, you had no knowledge of it. I'm not saying it is a for sure win, just the best defense I can think of.

Ignorance is NOT a defense. People are expected to know the laws guiding whatever activity they are engaging in.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

I am not sure if this is the correct forum to post my case. If not, please tell me which one is the best.

I rented a canoe with 2 life jackets. I asked the guy how many people can sit in the canoe. He said 4. So we had 4 people in the canoe. Then I got a citation for not having enough personal floating devices. What is my best defense?

Jing
Ohio

That you were too stupid to ask for two more flotation devices.