ndsustudent2009
Junior Member
I'll start by filling in some background information that might help things make more sense.
I'm a college student at NDSU in Fargo, ND. Due to a lack of available parking permits ($110/year), I decided in my infinite wisdom to counterfeit one. I knew this was not a good idea, so it came as no surprise to me that I was eventually caught using it.
I used the permit from September 2007 until January 28th, 2008, when I was issued a parking citation (for not having a permit) as well as notice that I had to surrender the parking permit. I promptly paid the ticket (issued by the City of Fargo), met with campus police (who act as a branch office of the city police) and surrendered the parking permit the same day the citation was issued.
During this meeting (which was very informal, only one officer, no rights declaration, etc.), I asked if any further actions (criminal or university sanctions) would be pursued and was told that everything would be cleared if I paid the ticket and turned the parking permit over (which I did both). My father, who owns the car in which the permit was used, also asked the officer about this issue and was told the same thing. Feeling like the bad situation was behind me, I moved on.
Fast forward to today (3/6/08) when I received a letter in the mail from the City of Fargo. Inside this letter was a summons to court for a "theft of services" - a Class B Misdemeanor. I was puzzled by this, so I called the person who sent the letter and told him the back story. He told me to contact the city prosecutor, which I did. They gave me the run-around and now will be getting back to me at some point in time on Friday with more information.
My question is, what should I be expecting? Can the city really pursue this case despite an officer telling me and my father that everything was taken care of? If this does go to court, what is the most probable scenario? And most importantly, if the city does pursue this case, should I get an attorney?
Thank you,
ndsustudent2009
I'm a college student at NDSU in Fargo, ND. Due to a lack of available parking permits ($110/year), I decided in my infinite wisdom to counterfeit one. I knew this was not a good idea, so it came as no surprise to me that I was eventually caught using it.
I used the permit from September 2007 until January 28th, 2008, when I was issued a parking citation (for not having a permit) as well as notice that I had to surrender the parking permit. I promptly paid the ticket (issued by the City of Fargo), met with campus police (who act as a branch office of the city police) and surrendered the parking permit the same day the citation was issued.
During this meeting (which was very informal, only one officer, no rights declaration, etc.), I asked if any further actions (criminal or university sanctions) would be pursued and was told that everything would be cleared if I paid the ticket and turned the parking permit over (which I did both). My father, who owns the car in which the permit was used, also asked the officer about this issue and was told the same thing. Feeling like the bad situation was behind me, I moved on.
Fast forward to today (3/6/08) when I received a letter in the mail from the City of Fargo. Inside this letter was a summons to court for a "theft of services" - a Class B Misdemeanor. I was puzzled by this, so I called the person who sent the letter and told him the back story. He told me to contact the city prosecutor, which I did. They gave me the run-around and now will be getting back to me at some point in time on Friday with more information.
My question is, what should I be expecting? Can the city really pursue this case despite an officer telling me and my father that everything was taken care of? If this does go to court, what is the most probable scenario? And most importantly, if the city does pursue this case, should I get an attorney?
Thank you,
ndsustudent2009
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