Monday I got a parking ticket for "parking on or over curb",” vehicle off roadway and onto grass". I went to my school but I don't have a parking permit since I don't usually don't bring the car but the visitor parking spaces were filled so I had to park on a side street. I went to the closest street and found a spot between two other cars. I parked beside an empty lot, which was really overgrown and unkempt, so much that the grass was on the street. Now the street is not that wide so I just parked beside the curb, and since the lot was so overgrown my tire happened to roll onto some grass. I didn't really think I should park halfway in the middle of the street just to avoid some grass, which was on an abandoned lot. Well, they gave me a ticket, the bike cops game me a ticket. I've never had a ticket before in my life and they give me a ticket for that.
2006-08-23 13:38:05 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Anyway, all of that to say, do you think I should contest it. I don't think it's fair, but at the same time going to court is such a hassle. If I contest it do you think I would win? Or should I just pay the twenty five bucks?
2006-08-23 13:40:28 · update #1
It's not even about the money.
2006-08-23 13:43:27 · update #2
Paying a ticket that you believe incorrect is the same as entering a guilty plea to a criminal charge when not guilty. If you strongly believe you parked correctly, go back to the street during a time when the road has no cars parked along it. Take pictures of the area from a distance and from several angles. Move in closer to the spot where you parked and take pictures of the grass overgrowing into the road. You may want to have someone take the picture for you, as you hold the grass up to show the edge of the road. Go back during a heavy parking time and take pictures again showing how things looked when you parked there. In your long distance shots, make sure you get pictures of any signage along the road. This prevents the police from testifying that there are “no parking” signs posted in the area where you parked.
Go to court with the attitude of having a wrong corrected. Look upon going to court as a learning experience. Convince yourself that you look forward to having the opportunity to prove your case. Resist the temptation to argue or defend every detail of the case. Simply present the pictures and state the reasons why you believe the ticket is wrong. Outline your points and have the notes with you in case you get a case of stage fright. Dress business casual to show respect to the court. A nice pair of slacks and a nice top should do the trick. Do not show up wearing shorts or athletic wear.
If the police attempt to present evidence that they gave tickets to all of the cars parked along that road, object because that evidence has no bearing on your case. Someone doing something ten times does not mean that she/he did it correctly. If needed, point out that if the police stopped you for speeding as the middle car in a group of twenty, the judge would still require you to pay the ticket.
Good luck!
Will D
Enterprise AL
http://www.notagz.com
2006-08-23 14:07:14 · answer #1 · answered by Will D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pay the $25 bucks and watch where you park. Although you may have a somewhat valid point in most cases it is Officers discretion simply because he or she is the Judges eyes and ears on the street. Dont waste your time or the Judges time going before the court.
2006-08-23 22:21:46 · answer #2 · answered by mcknight838 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take pictures of where you parked and go to court on the day it says on the ticket and tell the judge what you just wrote here.
2006-08-23 20:42:44 · answer #3 · answered by rsist34 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's a parking ticket. It doesn't go on your driving record or anything. Just pay the thing. Is the ticket really worth your time and energy to fight it to you?
2006-08-23 20:46:26 · answer #4 · answered by volleyballchick (cowards block) 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
go take a picture of where u got the tix to take to court, that way u can prove ur case and dbl check to make sure there r no signs and when u go to court make ur case and see what happens good luck!
2006-08-23 20:46:36 · answer #5 · answered by Miss B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would just pay the twenty five bucks because if you contest it, it will cost you more with court cost plus your time, money spent on gas, it just ain't worth it sometimes.
2006-08-23 20:44:02 · answer #6 · answered by erniemigi 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If they gave tickets for writing long and boring questions, then you would get one.
2006-08-23 20:43:56 · answer #7 · answered by Stupid Flanders 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Was it a JP citation or a Campus citation?
Either way you can appeal it..
2006-08-23 20:42:41 · answer #8 · answered by jtxn170 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Choose battles you can win. Pay your fine and suck it up.
2006-08-23 20:49:55 · answer #9 · answered by beez 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you can pay now, or pay after they put a boot on your car.
2006-08-23 20:44:55 · answer #10 · answered by King Midas 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋