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Questions and answers about sports

Can FWC search your boat?

4 min read

Asked by: Veronica Smith

Pursuant to Florida Statute Section 327.56, 327.70(4) and Section 328.18, F.S., the FWC and any other law enforcement agency are authorized to inspect and investigate vessels as necessary to carry out and enforce the Florida Vessel Safety Law.

Can local police board your boat?

Any law enforcement agency within its own jurisdiction can board a boat when faced with “exigent circumstances,” such as someone clearly operating a vessel to endanger, boating under the influence, displaying gross negligence, and so on.

Can a game warden come on private property in Florida?

Does this apply to game wardens? A game warden can go on private property even if there is a posted sign.

Can Texas game Warden board your boat?

Texas game wardens are also one of the primary law-enforcement officers for enforcing boating laws in Texas. That means that they can board your vessel to make sure that your water-safety equipment is in compliance. It doesn’t matter whether or not you’re engaged in hunting or fishing.

Do I have to identify myself to police in Florida?

You are only expected to identify yourself to Florida law enforcement officers (police officers and Sheriff’s deputies, not immigration or FBI agents) when you are stopped on suspicion of a crime or a traffic violation. If you don’t have identification documents, you may choose to remain silent.

Can the Coast Guard search my boat?

The USCG can board any vessel under the U.S. jurisdiction. Once aboard the ship, the service members can inspect and search the vessel. They can also make arrests and ask for information about the ship, the workers, the homeport and the destination of the vessel.

Can the Coast Guard search your boat in international waters?

By enacting the Revenue Service Act, the first Congress showed unequivocally that the Coast Guard’s significant law enforcement authorities to board and search a U.S. flag vessel anywhere in the world, as well as vessels intending to call on U.S. ports, were consistent with the Fourth Amendment.

Can Florida fish and wildlife give you a speeding ticket?

Yes, FWC officer can pull you over, anywhere in the State of Florida. Failure to Obey is usually running the stop sign type ticket, which is many cases less expensive than a speeding ticket. And it looks like you avoided a DWLS/R charge, which could be criminal.

Are FWC officers Federal?

In addition, the federal government, specifically the U.S. Department of Interior and the U.S. Department of Commerce, commission Florida FWC Officers with power to enforce federal fisheries and wildlife laws in Florida. FWC Officers have full police power to inspect, search, seize, and arrest.

What do game wardens do with confiscated fish?

In most cases though, if at all possible and in good condition, seized fish and game is given to the homeless shelters or soup kitchens that allow donations of wild fish and game. Because of inspection requirements, some facilities may not be able to accept these donations.

Is it illegal to film cops in Florida?

In general, yes. The First Amendment to the Constitution protects your right to monitor and gather information on public officials. This applies to the police. In Florida, for the most part, if you are in an open public space where other people can witness what is happening, you can record the police.

Does a passenger have to show ID in FL?

A passenger is not required to give identification in response to that request. However, refusal to provide identification may allow the officer to expand the stop in order to determine whether that passenger or passengers poses a danger to their safety during the traffic stop.

What are undercover cops not allowed to do?

There should be no undercover investigation of any one person by any one agency for more than 24 hours without a court-approved warrant. Further, while undercover operations may involve business as well as cordial social relationships, they should not include intimate personal relationships.

Can a police officer touch your genitals?

Based on PC 4030, law enforcement officers are not allowed to visually search your genitals without a first obtaining written permission from a supervisor. Additionally, law enforcement officers are not allowed to physically search your genitals.

Is entrapment illegal in Florida?

Under Florida law, entrapment occurs when a law enforcement officer improperly coerces, persuades, or induces a person to commit a crime that she or he was not predisposed to do. In Florida, entrapment is illegal and if there is evidence of this act, the defendant might be absolved of all charges.