do i have a fighting chance?

Question

I just recieved a parking ticket for crosswalk obstruction.. my situation is that, the parking spot is between the crosswalk and a hydrant, the car is parked maybe about a foot over and into the crosswalk.. and my back is 2 inches into the yellow painting.. now the road was repaved just a little back and they moved the white crosswalk line BACK making the crosswalk wider and thus making the spot smaller..

some more details.. my car is a '04 Toyota Matrix.. and is shorter than most sedans out there.. measuring only 171.30 in length.. compared to 189.20 for the '05 Camery..

would i be able to go to court, fight it, and be dismissed?.. or do i have to cough up the $105 to pay it off..

Answer 1

Go to court. Wear a suit. You can win if the officer who wrote the ticket doesn't show up.

If they do, you then just explain the facts. REHEARSE this many times, get the sequence down right so it's clear, don't talk about irrelevant matters such as paint quality, get comfortable with the facts so when you suddenly realize where you are it doesn't matter. Think about their questions "But part of your car WAS outside the space?" and your answer "Your Honor, my car is a Toyota, with a wheelbase of x inches. The average midsize has a y inch wheelbase. The space in question is Z inches, and the average space is Q. They created a space so small that few cars can legitimately fit into it, so they basically have set a trap for anyone that parks there without a tape measure."

Worst case, you lose and pay the $105.

Answer 2

Take a picture of the new construction showing the smaller than normal parking space that your are describing. Then take a picture of the adjacent spaces to show that they are really bigger and that your smaller car would fit into a regular space. Use a measuring tape when taking the pictures to actually show that the other spaces are larger. After court, no matter what the outcome, complain to the "streets" department for the government/township/city where you are located. anytime you you believe you are correct, fight it in court. That's what the courts are there for. Anytime I issue a citation to folks for whatever reason and they make remarks like, "I'll see you in court," I encourage their participation in that. Sometimes when a person stands up for themselves in court it goes their way. Most likely the person who wrote you the parking citation won't be there anyway and it may get dismissed for their lack of presence. If the government agency does not rectify the parking space problem, simply don't park in it anymore.

Answer 3

I've seen the Toyota Matrix , if you can't get THAT car into a spot legally , then theres a problem. Get your camera , take pictures of the spot , etc. I'd fight it! Argue your point with some of the specifics you noted here , you might win..

Answer 4

I say always go to court. The Judge will often reduce it even if he still finds you guilty. Would it be worth it for you to give up and pay $105 or spend the time in court to possibly pay nothing or a little less.

Answer 5

I would go to court. I also would photograph your auto and show exactly what the obstuction was in the exact location.

At best, dropped charges.

At worse, lesser fine.

Answer 6

Go to court and explain it to the Judge....nothing to lose. Good luck

Answer 7

Well it will never hurt to fight the ticket if you have a good evidence.

Answer 8

try to fight it, but really, its 100% your fault. If there was not enough room you sould not have parked there, end of story

Answer 9

Cough up the dough.

Answer 10

If you are in doubt, ALWAYS fight it. Worst case scenario, judge disagrees.