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Should I contest parking tickets?

Well, as you may have already guessed I got a parking ticket. My fault, do not pass go, do not collect $200. But I want to know if I should set a court date anyway? For instance, whenever I get a speeding ticket (not THAT often;), I will as a matter of course set a court date, show up and plead 'no contest,' this is for two reasons: 1. If the cop doesn't show up, the ticket is expunged, 2. The judge has the power to alter the amount of the fine, and will almost always knock a little off the amount due (and if you're really lucky, a lot or all of it). Does the same reasoning hold for parking tickets? Should I treat it like a speeding ticket, set a court date, show up and plead no-contest in the hope the judge will knock a little off the fine? Thanks!

Update:

It's a $50.00 parking ticket for parking in something reserved for 'ACDF volunteers' 6-10pm Mon-Thursdays in rich-***** Arlington VA. The notification is a sign waaaay off to the left with an arrow pointing down a row of metered parking (a meter I ironically had paid) in front of the Courthouse.

Update 2:

F the courts

Update 3:

I think I will book a court date JUST to waste their time and make their lives a little bit worse. Thanks!

Update 4:

Would someone actually answer my question? I don't care about the busy state of our court system... a situation mostly based upon the general incompetence of local government officials, which I have no patience for. Does anyone who actually knows what they are talking about answer the question I actually asked?

6 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    I don't know what kind of appeal process you have in Arlington. It may be some sort of administrative review. The process may be spelled out on the ticket or some sort of web site reference for more info. I completely agree with your intolerance of government incompetence. I would research the appeal process or either contact the issuing agency and tell them you plan to fight it. Explain that the sign was not clearly visible and you paid the meter. The meter may have some sort of record you can request to show that you had no intent to park illegally. If this does not work demand a refund on the meter or a prorated fine. Don't let them get away with taking your parking money no matter how small the amount. Generally they will let you off before they will spend time fighting you even if they can win. This kind of an operation is a money mill and stopping it to fight one person isn't worth it when next hundred or so suckers will cough up the cash no questions asked.

    Good luck and hope this helps.

    Remember you work hard for your money, make them work hard for it too.

  • 1 decade ago

    Pay the ticket our Court system is over work because of people contesting tickets that they got for illegal parking are the meter ran out.

    Be an man and pay the ticket.

  • Anonymous
    4 years ago

    at first, shame on you for parking in a handicap area. You ok would have brought about a disabled individual to ought to flow incredibly a distance that night, which will have been the source of the citizen grievance. the only way you may contest the quotation is that in case you may teach which you're handicapped. once you're having a issue with the money, talk with the choose and notice if he/she would be in a position to postpone your case for yet another couple of weeks or probably set your advantageous up on funds.

  • 1 decade ago

    I wouldn't waste your time with a parking ticket, at least where i live their not expensive enough to go through that.

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  • 1 decade ago

    Parking tickets they generally don't change. Especially when you excuse is "I didn't read the sign b/c it was too far away".

  • 1 decade ago

    No the courts are busy enough. just take more care in future.

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