$115 for being 0 (zero!) minutes late

[integra39]

What is the name of your state? NY

I got a ticket for standing in a no-standing zone (no standing 7am-7pm). Here's the kicker: the time stamp on this computer-issued ticket is exactly 7:00 am! It seems my car was the first one on that block and the parking guy must've been too eager to cover as many cars as possible.

Do I stand a chance of fighting this in court? There are many things that appear on a ticket that a parking officer has to enter manually (type of offense, is permit displayed, etc.); so he must've started writing mine before 7am. Also, doesn't "no standing 7am-7pm" imply "standing is OK from 7pm-7am?

I'd be greatful for any suggestions. Thanks!
Mike

[Love My Husband]

It means that you had better be moved by 6:59. If you're not supposed to be there at 7, don't be there.

[You Are Guilty]

Originally Posted by integra39

What is the name of your state? NY

I got a ticket for standing in a no-standing zone (no standing 7am-7pm). Here's the kicker: the time stamp on this computer-issued ticket is exactly 7:00 am! It seems my car was the first one on that block and the parking guy must've been too eager to cover as many cars as possible.

Do I stand a chance of fighting this in court? There are many things that appear on a ticket that a parking officer has to enter manually (type of offense, is permit displayed, etc.); so he must've started writing mine before 7am. Also, doesn't "no standing 7am-7pm" imply "standing is OK from 7pm-7am?

I'd be greatful for any suggestions. Thanks!
Mike

This is not as uncommon as you think - brownies will often stand at the beginning of a block 5 minutes before the rule goes into effect and start filling out their tickets. Sometimes they even get too overzealous and issue them 1-2 minutes early!

But based on the price, I assume this was in NYC? If so, you stand an excellent chance on getting it dismissed based on the time, providing you dispute it in person. Although unwritten, most ALJ's will give you a 2-3 minute "window" to account for differences between your clock and the traffic agents'.

There are also a number of other potential grounds for dismissing it, but they rarely apply to the computerized tickets (the required info comes from the bar code on your registration & inspection stickers). But if you're still curious, go to the Dept of Finance's web site and search for the English .pdf file on "HOw to Dispute Your Parking Ticket" to get the specifics.

[integra39]

Originally Posted by You Are Guilty

This is not as uncommon as you think - brownies will often stand at the beginning of a block 5 minutes before the rule goes into effect and start filling out their tickets. Sometimes they even get too overzealous and issue them 1-2 minutes early!

But based on the price, I assume this was in NYC? If so, you stand an excellent chance on getting it dismissed based on the time, providing you dispute it in person. Although unwritten, most ALJ's will give you a 2-3 minute "window" to account for differences between your clock and the traffic agents'.

There are also a number of other potential grounds for dismissing it, but they rarely apply to the computerized tickets (the required info comes from the bar code on your registration & inspection stickers). But if you're still curious, go to the Dept of Finance's web site and search for the English .pdf file on "HOw to Dispute Your Parking Ticket" to get the specifics.

I followed your advice and went to court. The ticket has been dismissed! The ALJ wrote that a 1-2 minute difference between my and traffic agent's clocks warrants dismissal.

[You Are Guilty]

Originally Posted by integra39

I followed your advice and went to court. The ticket has been dismissed! The ALJ wrote that a 1-2 minute difference between my and traffic agent's clocks warrants dismissal.

Congrats.

For future reference, remember that this "trick" really only works when you dispute it in peson. I have no idea why, but if you do a written not-guilty plea, the ALJ(s?) who respond to those appear never to have heard of this rule. In any event, enojy your extra $115 this week.