SOLVED. science fiction [s]

[Heather]

Future sci-fi world. Court case. Man is convicted of "unsocial" behaviour. Sentenced to a mind-scrape(?) or exile to another planet. He chooses another planet. Buys a lot of stuff to prepare and thinks he will be in charge.
Goes through the dimension portal on an ATV type thing and gets mugged.

Our protagonist follows. He's a journalist maybe? Looking for a missing person? Lots of "cat and mouse" with the roving gangs that rule the place.

Ends with going back through the portal and reporting on the terrible conditions?

Year unknown. Feels older - like Heinlein or early Asimov.

[Bargle]

I believe this is "Coventry" by Robert Heinlein. A short story/novella, not a novel, but has been collected many times. Considered one of his best. Links below.

Note to self: correct answer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coventr...

http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cg...

https://archive.org/stream/Astounding...

[Heather]

Yes! Thank you!

I had done some searching of Heinlein but hadn't found it. Being a non-novel explains why my search was unsuccessful.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Heather, please add plot details to your header. Use the little edit link. This is mandatory, not optional.

[Heather]

Lobstergirl, thank you for the reminder. As soon as I am back on a laptop I will do that.