I just received a letter in the mail about a parking ticket that had a penalty added to it because apparently I had a parking ticket on May 4 that I wasn't aware of. I sometimes get parking tickets for "overtime parking", meaning I leave my car on the street overnight. I'm not debating that fact, but the cop who issues the ticket often fails to secure it to my car, resulting in the wind blowing it away. It's happened before, and I got another parking ticket last week that I would not have known about if I didn't happen to be standing outside when the wind blew it up the sidewalk.
I can either pay the ticket (an extra $30, not a huge deal, but it's the point of the thing) or go to traffic court to dispute it. I am unable to go because it coincides with my work hours, and I can't afford to do that right now. Could I maybe send them a written complaint? What's the best thing to do here? Thanks for your opinion!
2007-06-11 05:55:14 · 11 answers · asked by Veridian 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
What if I just pay it and then send them a complaint?
2007-06-11 06:02:51 · update #1
You could always send a letter, but why don't you just start putting money off to the side from your pay check, and figure that every time you illegally park, you're going to receive a ticket.
2007-06-11 06:19:04 · answer #1 · answered by CGIV76 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you have a leg to stand on. You are knowingly parking illegally. The judge is not going to be very sympathetic to that fact. One ticket, maybe, but you continue to commit the offense.
I'd pay the tickets and either park the car somewhere else or consider the fine your parking fee. (I'm aware that parking is often limited, especially in big cities.) Garage parking runs hundreds of dollars maybe the occasional $30 is a bargain. Be aware though if you don't pay them you will be "booted" and that will also run you hundreds of dollars.
Good Luck.
Peace.
2007-06-11 13:07:48 · answer #2 · answered by -Tequila17 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, this is not a legitimate complaint. While I do agree that they should secure the parking ticket on the windshield, you were the one who violated the parking laws. To add to that, it's only $30.00. No big deal. Just pay it and get it over with. Don't dispute this one since there is a very low chance that you will win. Next time, just follow the rules.
2007-06-11 13:07:17 · answer #3 · answered by DJC 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The root problem here is the fact that you broke the law and you were cited for it. If you approach this as a person who has an axe to grind, you're not going to get a judge or ombudsman to listen to you. My advice to you is to call the court and explain the situation. Tell them you take full responsibility for your actions and you want to get this resolved but you were not aware of the ticket issued on May 4th. Tell them your neighbors have had similar problems with tickets blowing away and you believe that's what happened in this case. Impress upon them the fact that you would have taken care of that May 4th ticket right away if you had known about it. They might cut you a break on the extra $30.00.
2007-06-11 13:05:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My Uncle worked for a PD (I wont mention which). They would purposely place tickets on cars on windy days so that they would blow away. And in the state where he lived, if you did not pay the ticket in 30 days, it doubled. He called this"earning more revenue for his municipality."
There needs to be some type of reform on this issue because we are at the mercy the elements and of the efforts (or not so honest efforts) of the person issuing the ticket
But as for you, it's a no-win situation. No judge will throw it out. He/she might drop the late/non-payment fee, but never the ticket itself. Just pay it and learn from it
2007-06-11 13:05:12 · answer #5 · answered by Daddy-o 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is it worth the 30 bucks of pain and suffering you are going to go through if you take this to court.
btw: To a judge a traffic ticket isn't worth his time they will see you as a whiner and you could end up with even a bigger fine.
Pay it and get on with your life.
2007-06-11 13:00:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well that happened to me twice.. i dont know how your state is, but i live in florida.. and i simply went to the police station, and said look, i had no ticket on my window.. it already happened one other time where i actually caught it blowing off, since it wasnt secured properly..
if you know the ticket was justified.. say, i have no problem paying it, but is it necessary for me to be paying a penalty this time?
i didnt have to pay the penalty fee! sooo. i would do that!
2007-06-11 13:04:33 · answer #7 · answered by Florida~Girl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pay the ticket and stop complaining. In the future, obey the law, or pay the price.
It might be cheaper to rent a parking space off the street???
2007-06-11 13:17:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you get a ticket for something you knowingly do, pay the fine and learn your lesson. You are trying to blame someone else for your problem. Take responsibility and learn from it.
2007-06-11 12:59:26 · answer #9 · answered by angelfish 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
its not ur fault that the cops put it in a way it will be lost personly id pay it just to get it over with but hey u can fight this
2007-06-11 13:01:15 · answer #10 · answered by Pawel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋