A few questions about boating ticket in Arizona: Bow Riding (Class 2 Misdemeanor?) and Child without life jacket (Petty Offense?).

We rent a boat in Saguaro Lake AZ yesterday and I was the one who rented the boat with my driver's license and credit card. We took turns to operate the boat and I wasn't the operator when the boat was pulling over for bow riding and also the police found one child wasn't wearing life jacket. However, because I didn't really know it will be ticketed (sorry but I am a foreigner here in US and this was the first time boating, my friend barely speaks English), I stepped out and spoke to the officer because I assumed I need to be the one responsible since I rented the boat. The officer asked if I was operating the boat and just let my friend take over when I was taking pictures. I didn't really understand this is might be a responsibility question but I said yes because it was somehow true I was operating like 30 mins ago. Then I was ticketed for 2 violations for bow riding (criminal?) and child without a life jacket (petty offense). The general question is that what I should do next but there are a few other questions I like to ask too.

1) Should I be the one to be ticketed? It was fact that I was not the driver when being pulling over, and I had pictures to prove the child was with life jacket and no bow riding when I was operating. The question from the officer was tricky. I just took it for granted that I was responsible because I rent the boat. BTW they even checked me for DUI because there were open beer cans on board but I was cleared.

2) It stated I need to go to the court for Criminal and Petty Offense and the officer asked me to call the court first. I know it will not impact my driver record, but does that mean I will have a criminal conviction record if I plea guilty? I checked online that bow riding was a Class 2 misdemeanor in Arizona. I didn't even know what is bow riding and misdemeanor till yesterday.

3) What should I do for the next? Should I choose to plea not guilty and point out that I was not the operator when it happened. Or plea guilty and just pay the fine? I am okay with the fines and the officer mentioned I can go to boat school for one of the violations.

5) What are the consequences? BTW I have no prior Criminal Record or even a traffic ticket.

Rgds, Ray

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State/Country relating to question: Arizona

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