FWC/Maritime License Defense Attorney in Jacksonville

Commercial Fishing License Suspension Triggers

Commercial crews working out of Mayport and along the St. Johns River depend on their licenses to make a living. Under Section 379.401, a court that finds someone guilty of a Chapter 379 violation may suspend or forfeit any license or permit issued under that chapter. 

The charges that most often put a commercial license at risk include:

• Quota and limit overages. Exceeding the bag, possession, or size limits in FWC rules is typically a Level Two violation.
• Gear violations. Prohibited methods of taking and equipment rules, including Section 379.2421, are also Level Two violations.
• Landing and records violations. Landing requirements and other unclassified FWC rules fall under Level Two, and saltwater products dealers face added penalties for record violations under Section 379.414.
• Unlawful sales. Rules prohibiting the sale of saltwater fish are Level Three violations, which are first-degree misdemeanors.

Because a livelihood depends on the license, we seek to resolve the charge before a finding of guilt could lead to suspension. 

Hunting & Wildlife Permit Violations

Hunting charges follow the same four-level system under Section 379.401, and the level determines whether you face a civil fine or a criminal record. 

The most common hunting violations fall into these categories:

• Level One. Breaking wildlife management area rules on permits, camping, or vehicle use, which is a noncriminal infraction.
• Level Two. Hunting out of season, exceeding bag limits, skipping tagging requirements, making false statements on a license application, or hunting under someone else's license. A first offense is a second-degree misdemeanor.
• Level Three. Illegally taking deer or wild turkey under Section 379.404, which is a first-degree misdemeanor.

An unresolved license problem can turn a minor stop into a much more serious case. Under Section 379.354(17), taking game or fish while a required license is suspended or revoked is a separate Level Three violation. It carries a mandatory $1,000 fine and a five-year bar on getting your recreational license privileges back. Our team includes former prosecutors who know how wildlife cases are charged, so we address the criminal charge and your license status together rather than treating them as separate problems.

Environmental Citations Tied to Your License

Environmental charges can sit alongside license problems, because a guilty finding on a Chapter 379 violation can cost you permits as well as money. 

Common examples include:

• Contaminating fresh waters. Section 379.29 prohibits it, and a violation is classified as Level Two.
• Explosives and other harmful substances. Section 379.295 bars their use in fresh waters, which is also a Level Two violation.
• Exotic marine species. Illegally importing or possessing exotic marine plants or animals is a Level Three violation.
• Nonnative and captive wildlife. Section 379.4015 sets its own separate penalties.

Under section 379.401(6), a court may suspend or forfeit permits issued under the chapter, and the severity of the violation also affects the criminal penalties. That is why we explain every potential consequence up front, so you can weigh your options with full information.

Boating Citations & BUI Overlap in Jacksonville

FWC officers enforce Florida's Vessel Safety Law, Chapter 327. Most equipment and boater education violations are noncriminal infractions under § 327.73, but they still carry consequences. A conviction for a noncriminal infraction tied to a reportable boating accident, or for 2 listed infractions within 12 months, triggers mandatory boating safety education and a fine. You cannot operate a vessel until you file proof of completion. These stops can also escalate. A safety inspection that gives an officer reason to suspect impairment can turn a routine citation into a boating under the influence charge. 

We handle the citation and the charge together, so one stop does not turn into two separate problems. Our attorneys review the stop itself, including why the officer boarded your vessel, what the safety inspection covered, and what led to any impairment investigation. If the stop or the evidence has weaknesses, we use them to challenge the case from the start.

Because a citation can affect the criminal case, and vice versa, we coordinate from the beginning. That means looking at whether a noncriminal infraction could trigger mandatory boating safety education, how a BUI charge could affect your license or vessel privileges, and which path forward is most agreeable for your circumstances. 

Call (904) 701-0591 or contact us online to schedule a free case consultation with a Jacksonville FWC/maritime license defense lawyer today.