Was this a national park?

Did your son appear before the Judge? Did he have the option to? Did he make a statement before the court, in person or in writing? Did he plead innocent or guilty?

If the court has already ruled in this case I think your only legal option is to appeal.

But I think I'd chalk this all up as an expensive lesson for your son. Even if you pay part of the fine for him now (probably a bargain compared to him moving home and eating your groceries), he should pay you back eventually.

To express your opinion on the fine, you should write a letter to the Park Superintendent, the head of the National Park Service, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, your two U.S. Senators and your congressional representative.

Shenandoah National Park, which we frequent, has an awful time with poachers -- who have even decapitated deer in the campground for the sake of a trophy rack of antlers. So I am sympathetic with the need for big fines and vigilant enforcement. The rangers have to be suspicious and tough.