Empty, meaningless words from Dave Yost.
“Hunting in Ohio is a time-honored tradition, and there is a proper way to be safe and successful,” said Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost in a press release Wednesday. “When bad actors like these guys try to cheat the system, it ruins the reputation of Ohio’s respected sportsmen and women — I can’t stand for that.”
Source: Ohio man sentenced for poaching 18-point white-tailed deer | WGN-TV
“CJ” Alexander of Wilmington, Ohio received
- 90 days in prison, which seems mostly ceremonial.
- $43,000 in penalties, restitution and “court costs”
- Loss of hunting license for a minimum of 10 years
- Confiscation of all hunting-related property
What would have been the legal procedure for someone caught poaching in a royal forest in 13th century England?
In 13th century England, poaching in a royal forest was a serious offense. The legal procedures and penalties were governed by the Forest Law, which was strictly enforced to protect the king’s hunting grounds. Here’s a glimpse of what would happen if someone was caught poaching:
1. **Arrest and Detention**: The offender would be arrested by the forest officials, known as foresters or verderers. They were responsible for patrolling the royal forests and ensuring that the laws were upheld.
2. **Trial**: The accused would be brought before a special court called the Forest Eyre. This court was held periodically and was presided over by justices appointed by the king. The trial would involve presenting evidence and testimonies.
3. **Punishment**: If found guilty, the punishment could be severe. Common penalties included fines, imprisonment, or corporal punishment. In some cases, repeat offenders could face mutilation, such as the loss of a hand or eye.
4. **Confiscation**: Any game or equipment used in the poaching would be confiscated. This included weapons, traps, and even horses.
William the Conqueror, a great lover of hunting, established the system of forest law. This operated outside the common law, and served to protect game animals and their forest habitat from destruction. In the year of his death, 1087, a poem, “The Rime of King William”, inserted in the Peterborough Chronicle, expresses English indignation at the forest laws.
