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Parking violations are strict liability offenses, meaning whether or not you intended to park illegally is irrelevant. They're also not criminal offenses, meaning you can't be put in jail for parking in a loading zone, but you also don't have the benefit of being innocent until proven guilty and you can't request a jury trial. [1] X Research source There also typically is a lesser burden of proof. If you have an unjust parking ticket, you may feel like the odds are stacked against you. It may be difficult to fight a parking ticket, but it's not impossible.
Steps
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Read the procedure and deadlines carefully. Your ticket will have information explaining how to contest the citation and how long you have after the citation was issued.
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Contest the ticket right away if possible. Even though you may have as many as 30 days [2] X Research source to request a hearing or contest your ticket, do it as soon as possible.
- For example, in Chicago you have only seven days to contest a parking ticket. [3] X Research source
- If there is a phone number you can call to contest the ticket listed, go ahead and call it immediately so you know you won't miss the deadline. If you can't do this immediately from your car, do what you need to do to contest the ticket as soon as you get home.
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Note any mistakes on the ticket. Review the information the officer wrote on the ticket before it was left on your car, and make sure everything is correct and accurate.
- The mistake has to be a major thing. For example, if you drive a silver Honda Civic and the ticket lists a green Volkswagen Beetle, that's clearly not your car. However, if the officer wrote the ticket for a "gray Honda Civic," that's probably not enough of a difference to defeat your liability for the violation.
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Look for changes or alterations. Because ordinances in some cities prohibit officers from making a change to a parking ticket, any scribbled or scratched out information could constitute an unlawful alteration. [4] X Research source
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Take photos of the area where you parked. Try to take photos before you move your car, especially if you have a dispute about whether the space is marked appropriately.
- Typically it is a defense to a parking ticket that any signs or notices of prohibited or restricted parking were removed or obscured. [5] X Research source
- For example, if a sign is obstructed and not clearly visible from your car's position, take a picture clearly showing this. If the curb should have been painted yellow in a no-parking zone and the yellow paint ended before the space where you parked your car, take a picture of the curb and your bumper.
- Keep in mind that in many cities the burden of proof for the government will be much lower than at a criminal trial. For example, in Chicago the city's burden of proof is "preponderance of the evidence." This means that taking all circumstances into account, it was more likely than not that you violated the city code section referenced in your citation. [6] X Research source
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Take video of a broken meter. If the meter where you parked was broken, you need to show it in action if you want to fight that ticket.
- If possible, use your phone to take a video of you trying to put money in the meter, making sure the meter's read-out is clearly visible and shows that the money you're putting in the meter isn't registering.
- You should do this as soon as possible, not as an afterthought later, since a broken meter may be fixed in the interim and cause you to lose your evidence.
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Talk to witnesses. If you have a friend with you, or if a passerby agrees with you that you didn't deserve the ticket, make sure you write down names and numbers so they can testify at your hearing.
- For example, if a stranger walking by mentions that she also thought it was legal to park where you parked, ask her if she'd be willing to help you fight your parking ticket. Parking ordinances often state that adequate notice of no-parking or restricted-parking zones is required, so multiple people testifying that notice was not adequate might defeat your ticket.
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Request a hearing. An in-person hearing, if possible, is preferable to contesting your ticket online or through the mail.
- Often fighting a parking ticket is a matter of being willing to take the time to wade through the procedure. Most people would rather simply pay the ticket than go to an extended effort to fight it, so if you put forth the effort you may be rewarded. [7] X Research source
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Study the local ordinances. Break down the ordinance you are cited with violating into distinct elements and analyze your parking in light of that ordinance.
- Look carefully at what the statute requires, and whether the language in the statute allows for any subjective reasoning. For example, if the ordinance you were cited for violating includes language such as "if practicable" or "safety permitting," you have room to argue that the condition required by the ordinance didn't exist in your case. [8] X Research source
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Appear at your hearing. Dress in clean, professional clothing and arrive for your hearing a few minutes early. Most hearings are not as formal as a court proceeding, but you should treat them with the same level of respect and decorum. [9] X Research source
- In many jurisdictions, the officer who wrote your citation must appear at your hearing. If that officer doesn't show up, the ticket will be dismissed automatically. [10] X Research source
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Present your defenses. Explain clearly and succinctly to the judge or hearing officer why you should not have to pay the parking ticket.
- Be honest and respectful to the judge or hearing officer, and try to avoid getting defensive or emotional. Stick to the facts and keep your remarks brief. After your initial statement, refrain from speaking anymore beyond answering direct questions.
- If the officer who wrote your ticket is present, don't argue with him or interrupt him when he speaks. [11] X Research source Typically, if the officer speaks at your hearing, you will have the opportunity to ask him questions. [12] X Research source
- If you took pictures or videos at the scene, have them with you so the judge or hearing officer can review your evidence. Also bring several copies of any documents you have such as the original citation. [13] X Research source
- If you have witnesses, you may call on them to speak. The city may have witnesses as well, including the officer who issued your citation. [14] X Research source
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References
- ↑ http://traffic.findlaw.com/traffic-tickets/traffic-tickets-basics.html
- ↑ http://www.miami-dadeclerk.com/parking_hearing.asp
- ↑ http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/fin/supp_info/revenue/challenging_tickets/contesting_in_person.html
- ↑ https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/law-and-life/legal-how-to-fighting-a-parking-ticket/
- ↑ http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/fin/supp_info/revenue/challenging_tickets/contesting_in_person.html
- ↑ https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/ah/supp_info/the_hearing_process/what_to_expect_atahearing.html
- ↑ https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/law-and-life/legal-how-to-fighting-a-parking-ticket/
- ↑ https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/law-and-life/legal-how-to-fighting-a-parking-ticket/
- ↑ https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/ah/supp_info/the_hearing_process/what_to_expect_atahearing.html
- ↑ https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/law-and-life/legal-how-to-fighting-a-parking-ticket/
- ↑ https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/law-and-life/legal-how-to-fighting-a-parking-ticket/
- ↑ https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/ah/supp_info/the_hearing_process/what_to_expect_atahearing.html
- ↑ https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/law-and-life/legal-how-to-fighting-a-parking-ticket/
- ↑ https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/ah/supp_info/the_hearing_process/what_to_expect_atahearing.html
About This Article
Article Summary
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To fight a parking ticket, read the ticket carefully to check if any information is inaccurate, like the type or color of the car, since inaccurate information can be a reason for the ticket to be overturned. You should also call the number to contest the ticket as soon as possible to make sure you don’t miss the deadline, which can be as little as seven days. When you’re speaking to the official, ask for an in-person hearing, which will allow you to present evidence to contest the ticket. On the day of your hearing, show up in clean, professional clothes on time, and present your evidence to the hearing judge. For example, you could show pictures or a video of the parking spot to show that the “No parking” sign wasn’t visible from your car. If you have witnesses, you can also invite them to speak. For tips from our Legal co-author, including how to gather evidence at the scene, keep reading!
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- "At least I know now how to start the process of protesting my ticket. For example, how the letter should look and what information to include within the letter. I posted a question on my particular situation of my handicap placard was not visible at the time. Waiting to hear back to see if that helps me." ..." more
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"At least I know now how to start the process of protesting my ticket. For example, how the letter should look and what information to include within the letter. I posted a question on my particular situation of my handicap placard was not visible at the time. Waiting to hear back to see if that helps me."
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