Need help and advice. Hoping to contest this parking ticket?

Question

I parked, put quarters for an hour and went to lunch.
On my way back from lunch, i checked my time, it was almost or about 1 hour. So i thought i was good.
In a distance, i saw the parking cop stop in front of my car! OMG, i ran like heck and shouted at the top of my lungs at him! He OBVIOUSLY could hear me, c'mon!
It took me about 30seconds to get to him, and i was right next to him yelling, "I'm right here!"
He ignored me and kept punching in numbers!
OMG! What a jerk! I was probably like 30seconds past my meter! And he didnt even start punching stuff in until i got there!
Could he do that?? Like carry on with the citation though i was there ready to move away?
I didnt know what else to do, and while fuming watching him drive away, i took pictures of his car (dunno why i did that), and that was the only piece of evidence or something i can use.
Meaning, the time i took the picture and the time where very close. Any advice? Any chance i would actually get some pardon when i contest?

Answer 1

They are there to write the tickets. The court decides if it is valid or not.

The rule everywhere is if the pen hits the paper, they will continue to write the ticket.

If they observed the infraction, then they will likely have discretion, but are not likely to negotiate it with you. Your presence probably reduced the chances they won't bother to write you up.

And you don't really know if the transaction was initiated before you got there or not. It may have been, and depending on how new-fangled the machines are, it may have happened electronically and wirelessly without hitting any buttons. In that case, the officer has to finish filling it in, or have a really good reason why to persuade here superiors.

That you put in 1 quarter too few is not a good enough reason for her to risk her job.

You are of course welcome to follow the procedure outlined on the ticket if you think it was issued in error.

But remember parking meters have been around for what, 100 years now, and nothing you say is going to be novel or interesting in a court of law. It is your right to stand there and say it if it will make you feel better though.

Answer 2

Your car was parked in a space with an expired meter. Your presence is irrelevant.

Unless your picture shows the exact time, a copy of the ticket (to establish it had already been issued) and a meter showing time the picture is irrelevant. Even then it could be ignored as you could have put money in the meter.

Answer 3

just pay the ticket.

I was IN my car with an expired meter and a cop gave me a ticket. If they want to be an asshole, they will be an asshole!