Condor

Hey Gents,

As the title suggests, I apparently received a parking ticket for parking to close to a fire hydrant. I made a quick run to my friends place, and yes, I was probably too close to the hydrant (I believe the distance is 8ft. in MA)...I was closer to 5ft.

Anyway, when I get back to my car a cop is parked next to mine, lights flashing. He gives me the stereotypical 'talk-down-to-me' reason why he was writing me a ticket, but then states that if I move my car immediately, he will "let it go"...Well, of course I thanked him and moved my car.

A month later, I get a letter in the mail from the city informing me that I haven't paid my ticket, and of course a penalty fee has been tacked on. It's up to $130 or so now. I wrote a letter explaining my situation (THAT I NEVER ACTUALLY GOT A TICKET), but today got a letter back saying that the reasons stated in my letter were not sufficient to excuse the ticket. I do have the right to a hearing however, and of course I'm going to take it.

Any thoughts on the best way to approach this mess? I think my best chance of getting out of this is requesting a HARD copy of the ticket at the hearing, because I was never given a ticket, and can only hope the officer didn't write one out and literally steal from me. If he did I'll be bullshit. Are they required to have such a copy at the hearing? Thanks boys.

Boki

dang man thats a hard topic, even when your being honest they dont believe you, i think there isnt much you can do, the cop would probably just say he gave you a copy and you probably lost it. saying sorry and paying it is the easiest way out, :/ cause they are probably more likely to believe him since he is a cop.

Critical Mass

Usually, if you just go to court, they will reduce the fine greatly. Tell the judge that you would be more than happy to pay it, but you would like to see a copy of the citation with your sig. on it. Tell them the deal. IF they don't buy it, then just plead guilty and pay the reduced fine. The same thing happened to me a couple of weeks ago. I'm paying the fine.

strawser9

I've met very few cops that aren't douchebags...

I realize they have to enforce rules or nobody would follow them, but sometimes they're just fucking power-hungry dicks.

...No, wait, they're all dicks unless you know them . I know a few that are the coolest guys, but I'm betting if I didn't know them they'd be dicks too.

I also find they are very, very inconsistant. For instance, I was pulled over a couple years ago for going 59 in a 45. I had no excuse, I was just turning 17 and decided I didn't have to follow the speed limit. The guy let me off with a warning and just said, "Happy Birthday, slow down and take it easy"...

about a year and a half ago I was pulled over for going 42 in a 35 and going under a yellow light I "should have stopped at"...I paid a $150 ticket and received 2 points on my license. That cop needed to get punched in the face, but since I'm a nice guy and didn't feel like going to jail I did not do it. (and no, I'm not a dick making excuses when they come to my window)

(edit* I just realized how off-topic and uninformative my post was, sorry)

Critical Mass

Big Guns

Best advice!!
By the way...I have about 6 parking tickets from MA from the early 90's, how much would that penalty be. At the time it only took the ticket from $10 to $15 I think.

Condor

I forgot to let you guys know how this turned out!

So, I sent in a letter describing what happened (as instructed to if I wanted to 'contest' the ticket/late fees). Weeks later, I got a letter back saying that my reasons for contesting the ticket were not sufficient to get it waved, and that I still owed the city money, or could opt. to have a face to face hearing at City-Hall. Well, can you guess which I picked?

I went to city hall a few weeks later for my scheduled hearing. It was kinda funny, I had to raise my right hand and swear that my testimony was the whole truth and nothing but the truth, etc. Long story short, I told the truth word for word and the clerk (very nice young lady btw) said that she'd wave the ticket and just told me to be more careful about parking in the city from now on. A little effort can go a long way! Thanks for the tips.