My question involves criminal law for the state of: Washington. WAC 220-56-175 (4) Immediately upon catching and possessing a salmon, steelhead, sturgeon or halibut, anglers must enter, in ink, in the appropriate space on the card, the place, date of catch, and species (catch type). For sturgeon, anglers also must record the length of the fish; for halibut, anglers also must record the vessel type; and for salmon, anglers also must indicate whether or not the fish was marked.
Game Warden came down to the river where a bunch of us guys were fishing and asked us all to see our catch cards. I had a fish in my possession but when he approached I didn't have my catch card filled out. He said he had been watching for awhile before announcing himself. I was given a ticket because he says I didn't immediately record my fish. I feel the law is vague in the word "immediately". I found no clear definition of "immediately". I have a court date coming up to contest it or I can contest, or mitigate it by mail. My goal is to get the charge dropped.
Would the technicality of the word "immediately" be enough to dismiss the charge? If not other mitigating circumstances I have is clean driving record, criminal record. I could explain to the judge the intent of the law is to maintain an accurate count of fish caught by all fisherman in a season. By requiring a person to fill out this card while his hands are still wet, standing in the rain or fast current is unreasonable to ask someone to fill out something with paper and pen in those circumstances.
whats my best angle? (no pun intended)

