Issuing parking tickets in a school parking lot?

[SFLS]

Massachusetts.

I go to a public high school where our vice-principal almost seems to enjoy writing kids parking tickets for what appear to be "stupid" infractions.

We signed a contract stating we would follow the rules outlined, and if we were cited, would pay a $10 fine.

My questions:

1) Can a non-police officer/parking clerk issue parking tickets?
2) I recently had my permit suspended for 5 days (no mention of that in the contract). Is that legal?
3) If he decides to "change" a rule after we have signed the contracts and paid (such as adding an offense to "the list"), can that be done verbally (i.e., over the loudspeaker?)

Would there be any method students can take to protest these tickets?

Thanks

[Silverplum]

More attention to homework.
Less attention to deciding which rules are "stupid."

More attention to lectures/classwork.
Less attention to how the school parking lot is run.

You'll be fine.

[seniorjudge]

1) Can a non-police officer/parking clerk issue parking tickets?

A: Yes.


2) I recently had my permit suspended for 5 days (no mention of that in the contract). Is that legal?

A: Yes.


3) If he decides to "change" a rule after we have signed the contracts and paid (such as adding an offense to "the list"), can that be done verbally (i.e., over the loudspeaker?)

A: Yes.


4) Would there be any method students can take to protest these tickets?

A: Hire a lawyer and spend lots of money.

[xylene]

Please define stupid infractions.

[SFLS]

Well, those were fast responses... Thanks...

For example, the contract stated that students may not leave school grounds in the cars before all busses have left; however, an announcement came over the loudspeaker stating that that had been changed to "students may not MOVE their cars before the busses left." The problem students see with that is that the loudspeaker is hard to hear, and that it is unfair to find out the rule change by getting a ticket because they did not hear it when it was announced.

Speeding. The Taxpayers bought him a radar gun. He has written at least one ticket for 2mph over (17mph. The speed limit is 15) which I have seen.

The parking tags must be displayed from the rearview mirror. Instead, some kids put them in plain sight on their dashboard and were cited.

Additionally, students have no way to protest these citations.

[seniorjudge]

Originally Posted by SFLS

Well, those were fast responses... Thanks...

For example, the contract stated that students may not leave school grounds in the cars before all busses have left; however, an announcement came over the loudspeaker stating that that had been changed to "students may not MOVE their cars before the busses left." The problem students see with that is that the loudspeaker is hard to hear, and that it is unfair to find out the rule change by getting a ticket because they did not hear it when it was announced.

Speeding. The Taxpayers bought him a radar gun. He has written at least one ticket for 2mph over (17mph. The speed limit is 15) which I have seen.

The parking tags must be displayed from the rearview mirror. Instead, some kids put them in plain sight on their dashboard and were cited.

Additionally, students have no way to protest these citations.

I think xylene asked for "stupid infractions".

All of the above sound exceptionally reasonable to me.

[Silverplum]

Are you under the impression that you "have the right," as a minor, to protest rules?

Because you don't. You don't have any rights beyond basic human rights.

More attention paid to academics.
Less attention paid to parking lots.

Unless, of course, you want to grow up and become a Professional Parking Lot Monitor...in which case, I urge you to spend as much time as possible in parking lots, studying each and every aspect of the lots.

[seniorjudge]

Originally Posted by Silverplum

Are you under the impression that you "have the right," as a minor, to protest rules?

Because you don't. You don't have any rights beyond basic human rights.

More attention paid to academics.
Less attention paid to parking lots.

Unless, of course, you want to grow up and become a Professional Parking Lot Monitor...in which case, I urge you to spend as much time as possible in parking lots, studying each and every aspect of the lots.

Hey, back off sister girl!!!

SFLS is studying to be a lawyer, which means turning nits into unspeakable travesties!!!

For, of course, the right amount of $$$.

[Silverplum]

Originally Posted by seniorjudge

Hey, back off sister girl!!!

SFLS is studying to be a lawyer, which means turning nits into unspeakable travesties!!!

For, of course, the right amount of $$$.

You're a kook, SJ!

[seniorjudge]

Originally Posted by Silverplum

You're a kook, SJ!

You really know how to sweet talk a guy!!!

[SFLS]

Haha. Oh well. Not quite the answer I was looking for, but what can you do.

I did have a question about "not having rights". I am under the impression that minors have SOME rights. Lets take just the US Constitution's amendments. Minors, being "the People" must have some rights, such as 1st, (arguably the Second) 5th, 6th, 14th amendments, no?

[xylene]

Originally Posted by SFLS

Well, those were fast responses... Thanks...

For example, the contract stated that students may not leave school grounds in the cars before all busses have left; however, an announcement came over the loudspeaker stating that that had been changed to "students may not MOVE their cars before the busses left." The problem students see with that is that the loudspeaker is hard to hear, and that it is unfair to find out the rule change by getting a ticket because they did not hear it when it was announced.

Speeding. The Taxpayers bought him a radar gun. He has written at least one ticket for 2mph over (17mph. The speed limit is 15) which I have seen.

The parking tags must be displayed from the rearview mirror. Instead, some kids put them in plain sight on their dashboard and were cited.

Additionally, students have no way to protest these citations.

Senior Judge is correct, these all seem very reasonable.

I do find the speeding tickets thing potentially problematic. I recall in my high school (years ago) that the administration wanted to time students speed by radar.

They did not do this. For two reasons

1) Issues with the radar gun interfering with police radar. (FCC type stuff)
2) The legality of private speed enforcement.

I suggest you do some serious research and contact the FCC along with relevant authorities to determine if this trap is legal. This means writing (not emails or telephone calls.)

[The Occultist]

Originally Posted by SFLS

Haha. Oh well. Not quite the answer I was looking for, but what can you do.

I did have a question about "not having rights". I am under the impression that minors have SOME rights. Lets take just the US Constitution's amendments. Minors, being "the People" must have some rights, such as 1st, (arguably the Second) 5th, 6th, 14th amendments, no?

Minors are not "of the people".