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The ongoing saga for my parking ticket

By
Home Builder with The Flooring Girl

Back in September, I got a parking ticket...because, get this, the meter next to my car expired.

 

I took pictures to prove this, but felt it wasn't worth my time to go to court over $20.

 

So, I wrote the check, sent a note and the pictures explaining that their officer made a mistake and that I didn't have time to go to court to argue this, but they could either take my check or dismiss it.

 

Of course, they did neither.

 

Instead, they sent me a fine for not appearing in court.  Oy vey.  Now, that made me mad.  I checked my bank account and of course I had no proof as the check had not been cashed.

 

So, I went to court today, on the day they assigned me. 

 

But, no it doesn't end there. When I got there, they said, "no walk-ins, we have a busy day.  You can come back on Friday.  I said I wasn't sure if I was free on Friday since my calendar is on my phone, and my phone is in the car, since we are not allowed to bring the phones to the court house.  They started to argue with me, and then I just said, "Look, I came here on the day/time you assigned me.  Further, the ticket was not valid - it wasn't mine.  Further, despite that, I sent you a check and a letter and pictures."

 

They asked for the date, and I had it in my check book from mid September and they looked at their files and sure enough, they had my letter, pictures and check.  They realized they made a mistake in issuing the fine and apologized. They explained that the judge said she needed more info.  I couldn't imagine what other info was needed, but aparently the officer who made the mistake needs to come in so she can hear both sides.  So, I still need to come back, but not until January, since they are so busy.

 

Hopefully, they will dismiss this due to both of their mistakes.  I'm annoyed based on so much of my time being wasted on something that wasn't my fault.

Comments (25)

Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Debbie, Like you, I'd probably pay the $20 just to make them go away.  What a total waste of your time so far!

Nov 13, 2013 02:02 AM
Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL
Debbie, what a waste of everyone's time. You would think they would be ok with the $20.00, thing must be really slow in their courts.
Nov 13, 2013 02:28 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Ridiculous is all I can say.

Nov 13, 2013 02:31 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Ah, the bureaucracy at work.  Your story probably also summarizes your future with the "health" care system.

Gird your loins - that will be much more fun.

Nov 13, 2013 02:34 AM
Atlanta's Home Inspector, David Lelak IHI Home Inspections
IHI Home Inspections 404-788-2581 - Canton, GA
Experience the IHI Difference

Debbie,

 Everyone's time is wasted on this one. I am sure there are more important cases to worry about. Now that your file has been opened and viewed, maybe the January hearing will be smooth sailing.

Nov 13, 2013 02:40 AM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

If I was in this situation, by his time, I would fight the battle, but most people would just pay it and that is what they expect. You go girl!

Nov 13, 2013 04:39 AM
Bobbie Smith
Stroudsburg, PA
570-242-1891

Oh dear. That is annoying. Too bad we can not "charge" them for taking up our valuable time. Good Luck!

Nov 13, 2013 05:08 AM
Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

Take them to the mat. Hopefully it will schedulde on the officers day off, so they can be inconvenienced too!

Nov 13, 2013 05:54 AM
Barbara Hensley
RE/MAX Properties - Rockwall, TX
Homes for Sale in Rockwall County, Texas

Debbie, this is an amazing story, not in a good way.  Apparently they felt their time was more valuable than theirs.  Next they'll be putting handcuffs on you!

Nov 13, 2013 06:57 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Trisha - I know.  It's hard to believe.

Chris Ann - You would hope.  All over a stupid $20.

Bliz - That's what I tried to do.  This is so dumb.

Beth - i have a feeling they had a "marketing campaign" to raise money.  Now they are overloaded.  So dumb.

Anna - Yes, it is.

Jay - Yes, I'm sure there is much more stupidity to come.

David - Yes, they should be spending their time elsewhere.  I'm not sure why they couldn't have dismissed this or even taken my original $20.

Joe - Yes, it's dumb.  I think they should be paying me money for my time.

Bobbie - yes, that's exactly how I feel!

Rob - LOL, that would be good.

Barbara - I know.  It's insane.

Nov 13, 2013 07:56 AM
Lara O'Keefe
North Texas Home Finders - McKinney, TX
Sadly the burden of proof is always on us. What a racquet!
Nov 13, 2013 08:14 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Debbie government dollars at work.  I wonder how well they would do if their jobs depended on customer relationships???

Nov 13, 2013 08:19 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Talk about stupid bureaucrats! Oh, and a stupid cop too, who doesn't know which car is which. 

My husband once got a ticket for parking partially on a handicap parking space - in the bank parking lot - at 10 p.m. when there were NO other cars in the lot and no places of business open within a block. 

The judge threw it out of court. At least HE had a brain. 

Nov 13, 2013 08:34 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

These kinds of stories just drive me crazy.   Responsible people get stuck having to spend a ton of time fixing things that aren't even their doing.  I give you a lot of credit for showing up in court today.  Go in January so they don't wind up fining you again!

Nov 13, 2013 08:45 AM
Rosie Crow
Serving Sugar Land, Richmond, Rosenberg, Missouri City - Sugar Land, TX
Exceeding Expectations. Delivering Results
So frustrating!!!!
Nov 13, 2013 12:21 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Debbie -- YIKES!   Don't calculate how much opportunity time this mistake of a ticket is costing you.   

Nov 13, 2013 08:42 PM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

Yikes, that $20 ticket is ending up costing much more than that considering the time involved!

Nov 13, 2013 09:46 PM
Chandler Real Estate Liz Harris, MBA
Liz Harris Realty - Chandler, AZ
#ChandlerRealEstateAgent

Well luckily we are hear for you to vent at :p But seriously that is not cool at all. Cant believe they have put you through all of this over the officers mistake. Maybe we should be able to fine their mistakes? Sounds fair.

Nov 14, 2013 04:49 AM
Jane Chaulklin-Schott
TEAMCONNECT REALTY - (407) 394-9766 - Orlando, FL
TeamConnect Luxury Homes - Orlando, Florida, 32836

Debbie, your little story had these high and low round-abouts. First I am angry for you, then satisfied at your wise decision on Court VS $20.00, then frustrated how you were treated, then HAPPY For YOU (You Proved Your Case), and finally....Seems we are all back to square one - Court in January, the Saga of the Parking Ticket. Is this a HALLMARK Christmas MOVIE in progress?!? haha

Nov 14, 2013 04:29 PM
Lisa Friedman
Great American Dream Realty - Essex, VT
35 Years of Real Estate Experience!

Debbie, that is absolutely absurd and bizarre.  Sorry you are going through this and have to keep it in your mind until January rather than checking it off your list.

Nov 22, 2013 11:58 AM