Court Tomorrow - United Bimmer Community

**komodo** · 02-20-2006, 11:52 PM

Hopefully you guys will see this thread soon'ish.

Okay, I got some BS ticket a while ago for parking "too close to a driveway". Whatever. It's a $15 citation and normally I wouldn't care at all, but they towed my car, and that pissed me off.

My court date is tomorrow at 9am (scribbled on the ticket), and I'm going to fight it, because I honestly believe I wasn't parked illegally.

My question is tomorrow do I need to go and be ready to fight my case, or do I just show up and plead not guilty, then they assign me a date for the actual trial?

Basically, what should I expect tomorrow?

Thanks.

**xsperf** · 02-21-2006, 12:00 AM

from my expieriences, small fines like that usually arent that big of a deal(unless you are making it one) like a parking ticket, if you are trying to dispute it, you just go to court, and ive seen this happen, the judge just asks(well atleast in this case), do you know that you were parked illegally, you say yes, he says, ok dont do it again, and lets you go, but then again it all depends on which way you take it

witeshark · 02-21-2006, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by komodo

Hopefully you guys will see this thread soon'ish.

My question is tomorrow do I need to go and be ready to fight my case, or do I just show up and plead not guilty, then they assign me a date for the actual trial?

Basically, what should I expect tomorrow?

Thanks.

I hear ^^^ this. Because they are like Poker, bluffing - and liable for the towing cost if they are wrong

**komodo** · 02-21-2006, 12:04 AM

^^ My thoughts exactly.

If I get the ticket thrown out as not-guilty, I'm going after my towing fee in small claims court.

**komodo** · 02-21-2006, 12:13 AM

Check out how BS their tickets are around here though:
https://athens-clarke.ga.ezgov.com/e...process.html#5

[code]Violation Fine Total Fine including Late Fee
Expired Meter $3.00 $6.00
Parking Beyond Time Limit $5.00 $10.00
Loading Zone $25.00 $50.00
Handicapped Zone $100.00 $200.00
Yellow Curb Parking $15.00 $30.00
Parking on the Sidewalk $30.00 $60.00
Parking by a Fire Hydrant $25.00 $50.00
Parking Against Traffic Direction $10.00 $20.00
Double Parking $20.00 $40.00
Blocking Driveway $15.00 $30.00
Illegal Parking $2.00 $4.00
Backing Up to the Curb $15.00 $30.00
Blocking Crosswalk $15.00 $30.00
Parking in Business or Taxi Zone $15.00 $30.00
No Parking Zone $15.00 $50.00
Parking in Construction Zone W/out a Permit $15.00 $30.00
Bus Parking Zone $15.00 $30.00
[/code]

Why even bother? Illegal parking, $2?

I also got a $10 ticket the other day for "Parking Against Traffic Direction".... IN A NEIGHBORHOOD.

**c1apton** · 02-21-2006, 04:19 AM

more than likely this is your preliminary to plea your case. I'ld file the case against the towing company and show the court clerk your pics & receipts for your radiator problems & blame the towing company. Incidentally, most of these parking tickets are called in by tow companys so they get the tow business. Good luck.

**Dudesky** · 02-21-2006, 04:33 AM

You're kidding, right?? That violations schedule is chump change compared to my town. I got a double ticket 2wks ago: expired meter = $29 and Street cleaning = $42. I just ran in to someone's house and back out- under a minute; I don't know where these bastards came from.

Don't know if it's much different than anywhere else, but for parking violations, there is no jury, therefore no trial. The judge just hears your case, and makes his/her decision right there on the spot. Most judges will accept any type of electronic media for supporting evidence, even a pic on your camera phone. Bring anything that you think might help your case. Even if you were in fact parked too close to a driveway, the judge may still dismiss the ticket . . . most of them are aware of the parking problems in the city they preside in, and know how hard it is to find a spot in certain areas. They do take that into account when they hear your case. Just be straightforward about it. Good luck man!

**jybute** · 02-21-2006, 08:55 AM

in edmonton, if you park in a no parking zone, its a $50 fine, but if you park in front of a fire hydrant, $35....... shouldnt it be the other way around?

**jms** · 02-21-2006, 09:21 AM

I got one for parking too close to a crosswalk, it was a $15 fine but in PA that means it was $55. I went to court to fight it and the judge actually said "You wouldn't have gotten a ticket if you weren't wrong" He found me guilty and knocked $10 off for my trouble. It's a scam. Expect to be found guilty, and expect to have to appeal.

**xsperf** · 02-21-2006, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jybute

in edmonton, if you park in a no parking zone, its a $50 fine, but if you park in front of a fire hydrant, $35....... shouldnt it be the other way around?

lol, a firehydrant IS a no parkign zone, are you sure its not an additional $35?

**komodo** · 02-21-2006, 10:24 AM

All right, I just got back.

Today was the arraignment. I waited a few hours to plea not-guilty, and they issued me a court date to come back for a trial (March 9th, don't let me forget, haha).

When I go back, there'll be a full non-jury trial for my $15 ticket. Wow.

witeshark · 02-21-2006, 10:51 AM

^^^ That's a bit ridiculous. If you took the trouble to challenge, it should be dropped, 30 seconds, like in NFL

**Torque** · 02-21-2006, 10:53 AM

Maybe you should just pay and learn how and where to park?

**komodo** · 02-21-2006, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torque

Maybe you should just pay and learn how and where to park?

I plead not-guilty for a reason.

**BMWLotAttendant** · 02-21-2006, 12:06 PM

Maybe, you should go back to the exact place where you had the ticket...and take picutres of where you were parked.

Then prove your point to the judge.