Guilty until proven innocent
-
7/19/2006
I have lived here for a year now and have found out one thing to be true in Tucson, guilty until proven innocent. I am a 31 year old father of two and I've never been in trouble with the law. However coming to Tucson I have had several run-ins with law inforcement. In fact, I now have a criminal record because I picked up a Gopher Snake off the road on evening on my way home and received a $222 fine for not having an Arizona Hunting License. I understand that ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law but come on. These Game and Fish Agents here are known far and wide (which I have since found out)for assuming everybody is breaking the law. You want to spend some time in the mountains? Well if they get a chance, they will search you entire vehicle to be sure you're not collecting snakes without a license, or a Gila Monster for a pet or whatever else the think of. As far as the Border Patrol here... I've been pulled over by them at least 50 times since I've been here and that number is being conservative. I was held at gun point by them (with my family in the car) because I would not take my flash light off of a Mojave Rattle Snake that laid on the side of the road. Mind you the Mojave possesses the most toxic venom of all rattlesnakes and are one of the more aggressive ones also. So my taking my eyes off of this particular animal would potentially put my life at risk. Turns out running into Border Patrol at night in Arizona could prove the same. Plus, the last time I checked, I look nothing like a Mexican. And I don't even know spanish.
Brian | Marana, AZ