Question :Got A Parking Ticket On Thanksgiving! THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!
Question Details:I couldn't believe it! I got a parking ticket today on THANKSGIVING for a rush hour violation but there was no rush hour! I decided to go to a movie in my neighborhood at about 2:40 pm and the movie let out at 4:25. Came back out and and saw across the street where I was parked, the whole four blocks line of cars with parking tickets waving in the wind including mine! It said on the ticket it was for a rush hour violation, but THERE WAS NO RUSH HOUR!!!! It's a holiday and hardly any cars were on the road! This is Chicago, but Chicago streets were slow at this time in this neighborhood. How could I get out of this? I was told there was a sign, but I didn't see a sign about rush hour. I was being so careful to park in a legit spot, but I can't pau $50! No way in hell! It was a holiday! WHat should I do? What letter can I write? It's obvious from the parade of tickets on the other cars, this cop was overzealous and a non-compassionate *** for writing tickets on this day!
2006-11-23 20:14:53 · 11 answers · asked by Sweet P 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Do the parking laws in your area exclude holidays from "rush hour"?
If they do, you can get the ticket dismissed.
Where I live, the signs specify "excluding weekends and holidays"
Go to where you were parked, and take photos to prove there are no signs, and bring it with you to court.
FYI, if you don't pay ticket in Chicago in the time allotted, the fine doubles the amount of the ticket. You had better find a way to make sure you have $50 just in case you lose, because if you can't afford $50, you sure can't afford $100.
2006-11-24 05:46:12 · answer #1 · answered by BoomChikkaBoom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all don't try it was Thanksgiving show some compassion with a judge who has probably sent hundreds of people to the electric chair it won't work.
On the back of the ticket it probably tells you what to do to contest the ticket.
The important thing is what is the definition of Rush Hour. I believe it to be the time people are coming and going from work on a regular business day.
This is a matter of failure to properly post the parking laws. On national holidays; as Thanksgiving is recognized, it is impossible to have a Rush Hour because the people doing the Rushing have the day off.
My guess as to why this has happend is the officer that wrote the ticket would like a new police chief.
2006-11-23 20:29:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only way that you would be able to contest the ticket is to find out how the city has defined "rush hour." Does it apply to holidays, basically. (Google is the only thing that I can recommend). If it is your favor, then you can go before a judge -- you should have instructions on how to do so -- and argue your case. You bear the burden of proof in this type of case, so it would be up to you to formulate your argument and to argue your case. Just be aware that if you do not have a claim -- it is a legit ticket per the law -- then you could have to pay court costs depending on the judge, so don't go unless you find the definition of rush hour in your favor.
I agree that the cop should not have written you a ticket, considering, but then again, that's why I don't drive here in the city.
2006-11-23 20:54:26 · answer #3 · answered by Jamir 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sweety P:
Most municipalities that have those types of parking restrictions also have exemptions for weekends and holidays. Try to find any "no parking" signs on this street near the theater and see if it includes any exempted times. (take a picture if it does)
You have only two choices in this matter. Either just pay the ticket, or appear in court and speak to a judge. Writing a letter to a $8 buck an hour clerk is just a waste of a stamp, the ONLY one with the authority to dismiss this ticket is a judge. The bad news is that it may cost you more in lost pay to go to court that to simply pay the ticket.
2006-11-23 20:35:39 · answer #4 · answered by Peedlepup 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry to tell you that ignorance of a law is not going to help. If the area did have proper sign posting and no exception for Holidays marked on the signage, it is a violation. It wasn't based on traffic volume, but time restrictions. Don't be overly upset with the cop that had to work on the Holiday for doing what he was actually being paid to do. If you want to be upset, be upset with the city officials that didn't make Holidays an exception to the Ordinance in the 1st place.
2006-11-23 20:25:23 · answer #5 · answered by Pundit Bandit 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Chicago is terrible with their parking tickets.Go to the traffic office where the tickets are paid and explain your situation to them. Otherwise the burden of proof is on you. I'm sure they will get many more complaints. I know people in my city who have never even been to Chicago but have had traffic tickets mailed to them. One is an 85 year old who doesn't drive or own a car.Good Luck!!
2016-05-22 21:53:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be an adult pay the fine, if you have to pawn some stuff.
No, if there were that many tickets are cars, then there were that many people that broke the law. He did his job.
2006-11-23 20:42:43 · answer #7 · answered by .45 Peacemaker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whether or not the police officer was compassionate, there is little sympathy with violating the law.
2006-11-23 20:17:36 · answer #8 · answered by Vanguard 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
the law never stops...including holidays
2006-11-23 20:53:25 · answer #9 · answered by alex l 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I bet you fell like such a turkey.
2006-11-23 20:17:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋