Parking Tickets

City Government Parking Tickets

Parking tickets generate a significant amount of revenues for most large metropolitan cities. However, are all parking tickets accurate, legitimate, and valid? Consider, for example, that an average of 50% of contested Chicago parking tickets are dismissed each year. Subsequently, you may want to entertain contesting parking tickets you find on your windshield.

How do I contest a parking ticket?

The back of the citation will list the ways in which you can fight the parking ticket. Generally, you have seven (7) days to contest. If you’re indecisive, the city could give you another 14 days upon receiving a violation notice. You can contest a parking ticket through the mail or before a hearing officer.

The best recommendation in fighting parking tickets is to challenge the citation in person. If your mail-in appeal fails, it could cost you upwards of $200 to file the case in court. When you are ready to speak in front of an appeals officer, make sure you have all your evidence and arguments gathered. You must be prepared to prove your case. To acquire the proof necessary to present at your parking ticket appeal, consider these tips:

• Examine the parking ticket to make sure all the information on the ticket is correct.
• Study the area for missing signage. Take pictures of the area to show lack of parking signs, or to show how an obstruction prevented you from knowing what the parking violation would be.
• If you were driving with others, have them prepare a written statement verifying the scene. If possible, have them testify at the parking ticket appeal hearing.
• Conduct research and confirm the ticket was written lawfully. Check your city’s parking regulations online to verify.

Other recommendations during your parking ticket appeal include arriving to your hearing at the city traffic court on time. Dress appropriately, present your case concisely, and stick to the facts. Stay calm during your presentation, and you may just be relieved from a parking ticket payment.

Penalties for unpaid parking tickets

If you choose to forego the appeal process, as well as not pay your parking tickets, severe consequences can occur. Remember parking tickets provide tremendous revenues for the city. For example, NYC parking tickets generate more than $1 billion for the city. Thus, the government expects a parking ticket payment from you if you do not fight the citation.

Possible penalties for unpaid parking tickets can include:

• For five (5) unpaid parking tickets, your vehicle will get “booted.” You will be unable to move or drive your car until you pay your parking tickets.
• If getting the “boot” still isn’t enough, after 24 hours, a local towing company will bring your vehicle to a city impound facility. Before the city will release your vehicle, you will be responsible for all parking and towing fees.
• Another possible consequence is a ding on your credit report until you pay your parking tickets.
• Unpaid parking tickets more than 90 days delinquent will be handed over to an outside collection agency. You are then responsible for the original fines, plus penalties. Keep in mind that in many cases up to 40 percent of the total fines are paid to the collection agency.

The city government is serious about their parking tickets. If you get a parking ticket, pay it or fight it immediately to ensure that you are not hit with the stronger fines of an unpaid parking ticket.