Bogus Parking tickets?

[kmohammed]

New Jersey, 07501

I live in a city area where there is street parking. On my block there are X amount of houses which would allot for X amount of vehicles. I am sometimes forced to park closer to the top of the street and have been receiving tickets for being "25 feet within crosswalk/intersection, or 50 feet of stop sign." There is no where else to park, what am I supposed to do? It is just mathematical that the given number of cars would take up a certain amount of room on the street.

In addition to this since moving to this location, I received tickets in the past for completely bogus offenses, such as improper parking when there is no possible way for me to even park improperly. I received a ticket from when I was not even living here, I was issued a ticket that found out was issued to someone else over 2 years prior. I receive notices for missing my court appearances when I did not even receive a ticket or a second letter giving me any additional information. I sat through the court process once and lost three days worth of school and pay.

I am either being targeted or unjustly charged. Please let me know if there is anything that can be done. I am losing money far to often for just trying to go home and rest.

[FlyingRon]

The shortage of parking spaces is not an excuse to park illegally. Welcome to the world of urban america. This is why off-street parking is a prized asset in urban property.

You need to calm down when posting, because some of your post is confusing. How do you go to court ONCE and miss three days of school in the process?

[kmohammed]

Sorry if too much emotion was involved with my post. I lost three days of school and work because the entire process was not a cut and dry one. The first day was going and pleading not-guilty. The next two days I had to wait for the officer to show and the judge gave him two trys.

I can understand that I am basically just getting screwed by "urban america." I was just hoping that maybe there was some clause or something written somewhere that would apply to my situation. But I guess that is just to practical for law. Thanks for a prompt reply. If anyone else has any potnetially useful information, I am all ears.

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by kmohammed

I was just hoping that maybe there was some clause or something written somewhere that would apply to my situation.

There ARE things written about your situation. All of them say it's illegal to park they way you did...

[kmohammed]

Wow, it is becoming more obvious that this is all falling onto selectively deaf ears. If the law has set me up to fail, is there no way to combat it? As a good citizen I am forced to park illegally, but it seems that this just the way it is supposed to be. At least I know now that there will always be people set up just so the justice system can have a little income on the side. In addition, I have been made aware that there are people out there just as compliant with injustice. Thank you all for the eye opener.

If there is anyone that can actually help me, I am all ears.

[You Are Guilty]

Originally Posted by kmohammed

As a good citizen I am forced to park illegally, but it seems that this just the way it is supposed to be.

If you can explain exactly how you were "forced" to park illegally (i.e. police put a gun to your head; local gov't threatened you with eminent domain if you didn't; etc.) then we might be able to suggest a suitable defense.

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by kmohammed

If there is anyone that can actually help me, I am all ears.

You don't want somebody to help you - you want somebody to agree with you. That's not going to happen here...

Contact your local government.

[kmohammed]

I am definitely not looking for verbal support, I am looking for a way to avoid having this problem persist.

I was not physically forced to do anything, I was forced in the sense that I was left no other option. I can't afford alternative parking, i.e. a parking garage, but I should not have to given that I pay rent and whatever taxes involved with my property. Based on the number of houses on this block, there is only the length of the block available for parking for everyones vehicle. There are points where the block is completely filled except for about 20-25 feet at the top of the block. I have no choice but to park where there is space available. This is what I mean when I say there is no other option.

In all actuality, there is a very good possibility as well that I am the target for someone on this block who does not like me. Over the past year that I have been here I have received MANY parking tickets, even when I was not even in the vicinity to commit a crime. I am not sure how to prove this though. One ticket I was given was issued two years prior to someone else, another was for a charge I could not even commit on this block--the list goes on.

Even with the potential sabotage, that is not my concern. I would like to know if there is anything in the law that could help me defend myself legitimately. I am a law abiding citizen, and this is the only time it seems that I break the law. I don't want to, it is not my intention to park illegally. My intention is to safely get home and rest.

It may just be wishful thinking that there is some clause or stipulation that will be on my side, I may just have to earn more money so I can park my car.

Any thoughts?

[FlyingRon]

Do away with the paranoia. It's not you personally someone is after, but rather someone who is annoyed with all the illegal parking. The city is under no obligation to provide you parking nor limit the houses such that everybody can get on-street parking. Your ability to "afford" things isn't justification to break the law.

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by kmohammed

I am definitely not looking for verbal support, I am looking for a way to avoid having this problem persist.

Ahhh, THAT'S what you are looking for. This one is simple. Don't park illegally.
Perhaps you should sell your vehicle and find other transportation if you are not able to follow the laws...

[patstew]

Originally Posted by kmohammed

I am definitely not looking for verbal support, I am looking for a way to avoid having this problem persist.

PARK. SOMEWHERE. ELSE.

Unless you have a walking disability, park the next block over. Or two. The walk will do you good.

[kmohammed]

Thank you everyone. I will be sure to not break the law anymore. It is a shame I didn't think of this earlier, I could have saved myself hundreds of dollars. Best of luck to you all in your future endeavors.

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by kmohammed

Thank you everyone. I will be sure to not break the law anymore. It is a shame I didn't think of this earlier, I could have saved myself hundreds of dollars. Best of luck to you all in your future endeavors.

I'm glad we could help - best of luck to you and I am sure you will benefit from the extra activity.

You know... I have been to many of the different posts trying to get some help with my own parking tickets lately and it seems like on almost everyone post there are people like you guys who are rude and making people regret asking advice. I do agree with this person, I think its unfair to recieve so many parking tickets especially ones that they werent even there for. I think our government has some really idiotic parking laws that they make up just to collect. I came here for advice because im a 19 year old girl who knows .. about parking laws but one things for sure, im not using this site anymore because of the users on here that are clearly thinking they are all high and mighty. Get a life and try being nice to those who are asking for help