challenging a parking ticket

[crimsonandclovr]

anyone have any advise to do this? i just got a $75 parking ticket, and no way i'm paying. (turns out my parking permit didn't cover the lot area i parked. signs were misleading... dammit, fuck college park.)

[Reaver]

$75? wow, that sucks!

[.invisible ink.]

the only way that i know of (at least in NC, so it might be different in DC) is to either get a lawyer or go to your court date and either plead not guilty or do a prayer for judgment, but i still think you will have to pay court costs. i just got a $171 ticket (complete with points on my license that will go toward raising my insurance rate) on Monday for not coming to a complete stop *in my own subdivision* at a stupid fucking stop sign that shouldn't even be there. I won't be in town for the court date so I was told to go down to the courthouse to reschedule it. I went down there this morning and they told me that they couldn't reschedule it until *after* the court date was already missed. how fucking retarded is that?

[xfantabulousx]

From everything I've heard (which is a lot), the parking services at UMCP are not at all flexible about parking tickets and will almost absolutely make you pay. I know tons of people who have been there and gotten a parking ticket and had to pay it. I've even heard of people getting hundreds and close to thousands of dollars in tickets from parking there.

If you want to appeal though, I've heard you can do it on the University of Maryland website. Good luck.

Edit: I'm assuming you got a parking ticket on the UMD campus. If it wasn't, then I wouldn't know what to do other than going to the PG county website.

[jr0d5]

I just graduated from UMD and have appealed many tickets. I'm assuming you were on campus. I would say that I got about 6 tickets in my 4 years with 2 or 3 being dismissed.

[Gardenhead]

You're a chick. Take off your top.

[jwenuqibq]

kick the judge in the face. that'll show 'em who's boss

[Aphasia17]

anyone have any advise to do this? i just got a $75 parking ticket, and no way i'm paying. (turns out my parking permit didn't cover the lot area i parked. signs were misleading... dammit, fuck college park.)

that's crazy, the same thing happened to me today. My permit apparently was no good for the particular lot I was in, although there were no signs that said this. luckily for me, mine's only $30. I'd say just go ask your school's department of transportation about it. Maybe you can get it lowered, cause $75 is absurd.

[crimsonandclovr]

$75? wow, that sucks!
i know! that's a week's worth of lunch! they can shove this parking ticket up their asses. (i probably should leave that out of my appeal)

the only way that i know of (at least in NC, so it might be different in DC) is to either get a lawyer or go to your court date and either plead not guilty or do a prayer for judgment, but i still think you will have to pay court costs. i just got a $171 ticket (complete with points on my license that will go toward raising my insurance rate) on Monday for not coming to a complete stop *in my own subdivision* at a stupid fucking stop sign that shouldn't even be there. I won't be in town for the court date so I was told to go down to the courthouse to reschedule it. I went down there this morning and they told me that they couldn't reschedule it until *after* the court date was already missed. how fucking retarded is that?
running a stop sign costs $171? in your own neighborhood too? and the whole rescheduling thing, they're just being difficult. ass wipes

From everything I've heard (which is a lot), the parking services at UMCP are not at all flexible about parking tickets and will almost absolutely make you pay. I know tons of people who have been there and gotten a parking ticket and had to pay it. I've even heard of people getting hundreds and close to thousands of dollars in tickets from parking there.

If you want to appeal though, I've heard you can do it on the University of Maryland website. Good luck.

Edit: I'm assuming you got a parking ticket on the UMD campus. If it wasn't, then I wouldn't know what to do other than going to the PG county website.

i did get it at UMD, at regeant's parking garage. i'm looking around the transportation website now. do you know if i have to pay a small amount of fee or anything to do an appeal?

thanks for all the help!

[crimsonandclovr]

I just graduated from UMD and have appealed many tickets. I'm assuming you were on campus. I would say that I got about 6 tickets in my 4 years with 2 or 3 being dismissed.

if you don't mind me asking, what kind of tickets were they? i mean, for parking meters or violation of parking permit, etc? and how did you do it?

[kemichels]

anyone have any advise to do this? i just got a $75 parking ticket, and no way i'm paying. (turns out my parking permit didn't cover the lot area i parked. signs were misleading... dammit, fuck college park.)


If you go in and at least show up for court, you're guaranteed to get it knocked down. I've saved myself hundreds in parking tickets by just showing up, admitting I'm guilty, but saying something was misleading, etc.

[Racquel]

be thankful you got a ticket. i parked at a friend's appartment building without a "visitor pass" and was towed at two in the morning(within an hour of being there). it then costed me $285 dollars to get my shitty car back.

[crimsonandclovr]

If you go in and at least show up for court, you're guaranteed to get it knocked down. I've saved myself hundreds in parking tickets by just showing up, admitting I'm guilty, but saying something was misleading, etc.

so i should admit that i'm guilty? because that's exactly what happened! the signs were confusing as to where i could park

[crimsonandclovr]

You're a chick. Take off your top.

we'll call that plan B?

[kemichels]

so i should admit that i'm guilty? because that's exactly what happened! the signs were confusing as to where i could park


From my experience, parking court is this:


A) You admit that you're guilty, plead your case to the judge. He decides whether the ticket should be lowered or not.
B) You plead not guilty (sound like you know what you did wrong, however, in this case). You meet with public attorney...try to come to a a plea agreement with them. You make an agreement with them, you take it to the judge, he accepts or denies. If you don't make an agreement, you set up a court date. If you lose (or even win) the case, you may or may not have to pay court costs.

At least that's how it works here. I've got many $40 tickets dropped to simple $10 meter violations, so it really is in your best interest to just show up, say that the signs were confusing (it doesn't hurt taking pictures, or a detailed explanation), and most likely you'll get it dropped at least SOME $ amount.

I also got a $100 ticket dropped to $25. I parked in a handicap loading zone in this park. Just wrote a written letter to the park's division saying it was not my intent, the reasons why I parked there, and that I wouldn't want to encroach on anyone's accessibility issues ever, etc etc. Doing a little goes a long way, sometimes.

Also, parking court is quick as hell when you plead guilty or come to a plea agreement. Get there well before the check in and it'l ltake 10 maybe 15 min tops.

[.invisible ink.]

running a stop sign costs $171? in your own neighborhood too? and the whole rescheduling thing, they're just being difficult. ass wipes


i know, it's total bullshit. it's obvious that they're just out to make money because the asshole cop wouldn't even consider giving me a warning. i have a feeling a lot more people are going to be getting tickets than ever before because the economy sucks so bad and it's an easy way for them to make money.

good luck with your ticket. i hope you're able to get it dismissed.

[jr0d5]

if you don't mind me asking, what kind of tickets were they? i mean, for parking meters or violation of parking permit, etc? and how did you do it?

They were all for being in the wrong zones. If your truthful about it, it can work. I've tried many methods. I would just be as polite as possible. I would say that the phrase "The signs were misleading" is a good one to use. That worked once for me and once for a friend too. If you go www.transporation.umd.edu (http://www.transporation.umd.edu/) I think you can find out how to appeal. It is no cost to appeal and you have like 14 days or so.

[crimsonandclovr]

They were all for being in the wrong zones. If your truthful about it, it can work. I've tried many methods. I would just be as polite as possible. I would say that the phrase "The signs were misleading" is a good one to use. That worked once for me and once for a friend too. If you go www.transporation.umd.edu (http://www.transporation.umd.edu/) I think you can find out how to appeal. It is no cost to appeal and you have like 14 days or so.

that's what exactly happened. i thought i was still in lot 5a, but apparently that was B already. Tried going to the website and putting in my citation # but didn't work (i'm guessing it's not in their system yet, or something?) so i write a statement and submit it to the office?

From my experience, parking court is this:


A) You admit that you're guilty, plead your case to the judge. He decides whether the ticket should be lowered or not.
B) You plead not guilty (sound like you know what you did wrong, however, in this case). You meet with public attorney...try to come to a a plea agreement with them. You make an agreement with them, you take it to the judge, he accepts or denies. If you don't make an agreement, you set up a court date. If you lose (or even win) the case, you may or may not have to pay court costs.

At least that's how it works here. I've got many $40 tickets dropped to simple $10 meter violations, so it really is in your best interest to just show up, say that the signs were confusing (it doesn't hurt taking pictures, or a detailed explanation), and most likely you'll get it dropped at least SOME $ amount.

I also got a $100 ticket dropped to $25. I parked in a handicap loading zone in this park. Just wrote a written letter to the park's division saying it was not my intent, the reasons why I parked there, and that I wouldn't want to encroach on anyone's accessibility issues ever, etc etc. Doing a little goes a long way, sometimes.

Also, parking court is quick as hell when you plead guilty or come to a plea agreement. Get there well before the check in and it'l ltake 10 maybe 15 min tops.

yeah, i think pleading guilty would work out for me, since i did technically park where i was not supposed to.

Thanks for the help! I really appreciate it.

[kemichels]

that's what exactly happened. i thought i was still in lot 5a, but apparently that was B already. Tried going to the website and putting in my citation # but didn't work (i'm guessing it's not in their system yet, or something?) so i write a statement and submit it to the office?



yeah, i think pleading guilty would work out for me, since i did technically park where i was not supposed to.

Thanks for the help! I really appreciate it.

of course, I got like well over $300 in parking tickets last year so I'm surely used to the process :). Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

[jr0d5]

Yeah, it probably isn't in the system yet. It is through the University, so you don't have to go to court. Just write a statement and submit it. It is a pretty easy process considering you don't have to go through any legal stuff. I would make it a point to tell them that it is your first ticket. Just explain that you just were confused by the sign and won't do it again.

[crimsonandclovr]

Yeah, it probably isn't in the system yet. It is through the University, so you don't have to go to court. Just write a statement and submit it. It is a pretty easy process considering you don't have to go through any legal stuff. I would make it a point to tell them that it is your first ticket. Just explain that you just were confused by the sign and won't do it again.

Got it. Thank you SO much!

[zachff]

Just don't pay it. Nothing is going to happen

[.invisible ink.]

Just don't pay it. Nothing is going to happen

that's crappy advice, sorry to tell you. when she's unable to register her car when it's due, i'm sure she'll be happy she took this advice.

[zachff]

that's crappy advice, sorry to tell you. when she's unable to register her car when it's due, i'm sure she'll be happy she took this advice.
That is not what would happen, so there's that.

[.invisible ink.]

That is not what would happen, so there's that.

i'm pretty sure that's what would happen here in NC, although I guess I could be wrong. I'm also pretty sure that no good will come of it if it goes unpaid for too long.

[hellogorgeous]

anyone have any advise to do this? i just got a $75 parking ticket, and no way i'm paying. (turns out my parking permit didn't cover the lot area i parked. signs were misleading... dammit, fuck college park.)

I have no idea about your ticket but is there still that bagel place!? in that weird parking lot!? i miss that place so much

[hellogorgeous]

That is not what would happen, so there's that.


Well normally, for a college such as UMD-CP, she probably wouldn't be able to register for classes, see her transcripts, etc. That's how it is at most schools, actually.

[hellogorgeous]

If you go in and at least show up for court, you're guaranteed to get it knocked down. I've saved myself hundreds in parking tickets by just showing up, admitting I'm guilty, but saying something was misleading, etc.


There is no "court" on college campuses.

[crimsonandclovr]

I have no idea about your ticket but is there still that bagel place!? in that weird parking lot!? i miss that place so much

haha yeah! and i'm pretty sure Tupac still works at cluck - u.

[zachff]

perhaps. in my two experiences (college in Boston, living in Chicago) didn't work that way. who knows. fight the man

[ArTkY_]

I got a $300 speeding ticket. Fuck you.

[kemichels]

There is no "court" on college campuses.

Well it obviously depends on where your campus is located...Mine is in the heart of Madison. We have street parking.

[carlster!]

My stepdad had something similar happen to him and he got out of it. He took pictures of the misleading signs and every day went to that parking spot and took pictures of other cars that did the same thing. After presenting his case, all charges were dropped.

[crimsonandclovr]

My stepdad had something similar happen to him and he got out of it. He took pictures of the misleading signs and every day went to that parking spot and took pictures of other cars that did the same thing. After presenting his case, all charges were dropped.

taking pictures of other cars is a brilliant idea. THANK YOU!

[carlster!]

taking pictures of other cars is a brilliant idea. THANK YOU!

No problem :)

[jesse_hitz]

anyone have any advise to do this? i just got a $75 parking ticket, and no way i'm paying. (turns out my parking permit didn't cover the lot area i parked. signs were misleading... dammit, fuck college park.)



Was it a parking meter where you put in 25 cents or whatever? If so they don't give receipts so you can take that to court and say it did not give you a receipt so you can fight it. If not than sorry to say your fucked on that 1

[phil19]

parking inspectors are the lowest life form on this planet

[SincerelyMe]

I got a $300 speeding ticket. Fuck you.

$300! How fucking fast were you going?

[MarsEatWorld]

anyone have any advise to do this? i just got a $75 parking ticket, and no way i'm paying. (turns out my parking permit didn't cover the lot area i parked. signs were misleading... dammit, fuck college park.)
MY DAD GOT 2 TICKETS IN COLLEGE PARK.
i hate misleading signs too. CP is horrible about parking really

[MarsEatWorld]

i know! that's a week's worth of lunch! they can shove this parking ticket up their asses. (i probably should leave that out of my appeal)


running a stop sign costs $171? in your own neighborhood too? and the whole rescheduling thing, they're just being difficult. ass wipes



i did get it at UMD, at regeant's parking garage. i'm looking around the transportation website now. do you know if i have to pay a small amount of fee or anything to do an appeal?

thanks for all the help!
oh and also, if you go to DOTS and fill out a form explaining what happened they won't make you pay for it unless you've done it various times. I know my dad got out of it 2 times..one time he parked at the comcast lot but he parked in the one row that was apparently a whole new section [bulllshit] and the other was at that same parking garage. Just talk to them.

[ArTkY_]

$300! How fucking fast were you going?
80 in a 50. Not one of my smartest decisions.

[Chancetobe]

Just dispute it and hope that the cop who issued you the ticket doesn't' show up. Then you get off scott free.

[SincerelyMe]

80 in a 50. Not one of my smartest decisions.

Was is on a highway? Because if so then that's not so bad.

[ArTkY_]

Was is on a highway? Because if so then that's not so bad.
On the feeder. I was totally not paying attention and missed the cop.