Youth Wins Dismissal of Beach-Fee Ticket
A 16-year-old Camarillo boy won his legal battle Monday over a ticket that he received for allegedly failing to pay fees at McGrath State Beach.
At the request of park officials, Ventura County Municipal Judge Ken W. Riley dismissed the citation that a park ranger filed against John Scully on May 22.
The $135 ticket alleged that John had camped overnight without paying the proper fee. John said he and a friend had arrived at the park about 5:30 a.m., before the ranger kiosk had opened. When they stopped on the way out to pay the day-use fee, they received the ticket, John said.
Jeff Price, head ranger for the park system’s Channel Coast District, said he decided to ask for the dismissal. “It’s very embarrassing for us that this has happened,” Price said. “Each of us has learned a lot from this.”
He said the ranger was justified in issuing the citation, and tried afterward to meet with the youth to resolve the case. By that time, however, the situation had escalated and a trial on the charge was scheduled for Monday.
John said he is glad his legal fight is over.
As for a return trip to the state beach, John said, “No way.”
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