Meter Parking Ticket while in car

[khellee]

What is the name of your state? CA
[Violation 88.13B M.C. Meter Violation]
I was given a $40 ticket (meter expired) while sitting in my car searching for quarters for the meter. The parking attendent took my plate number from behind and when I got out of the car with my quarters, she said "Don't bother," and put the ticket on the windshield.

Should I contest? On what grounds?
Thank you!

[AlanShore]

The grounds you just stated. Funny story though.

[CdwJava]

The section cited is a municipal code ... what city?

In general, if you had been parked at an expired meter that's all it takes to be cited.

- Carl

[khellee]

The city is Los Angeles. The meter started at 8am and I got the ticket at 8:04am. I guess the evil ones start early so they can finish the quota before lunch?

[CdwJava]

Originally Posted by khellee

The city is Los Angeles. The meter started at 8am and I got the ticket at 8:04am. I guess the evil ones start early so they can finish the quota before lunch?

Evil? If this is your defintion of "evil", you must live in a very isolated world.

The meters start at 8 AM, not 8:05. It may be slightly on the cheesy side, but when SHOULD they start enforcing the 8 AM meter regulations? 8:15? 8:30? 9:12?

Oh, and they don't have a quota.

- Carl

[justalayman]

I suggest it did not happen exactly as you have related. Obviously if you had just pulled in and were searching for coins for the meter, the ticket agent would probably see this and not issue a ticket.

I propose you were doing nothing to look for coins until you noticed the meter agent and then frantically began your search which the agent dismissed as a wasted effort.

If you want to argue it, tell your story to whatever person is charged with listening to stories such as yours. Don't know if you can, it to me is not worth the money, seek redress in an actual court. Maybe they will have sympathy, maybe not. I would suggest the ticket agent will paint a picture in which it was obvious you were not intending to feed the meter.

[BelizeBreeze]

Originally Posted by khellee

What is the name of your state? CA
[Violation 88.13B M.C. Meter Violation]
I was given a $40 ticket (meter expired) while sitting in my car searching for quarters for the meter. The parking attendent took my plate number from behind and when I got out of the car with my quarters, she said "Don't bother," and put the ticket on the windshield.

Should I contest? On what grounds?
Thank you!

You have no case. Pretty simple huh?

[amreason]

[url]http://www.ticketassassin.com/[/url]

[CdwJava]

Originally Posted by amreason

[url]http://www.ticketassassin.com/[/url]

It's a PARKING ticket ... these are not handled in the same manner as a mover. These are handled by the bureaucracy and not by the courts.

- Carl

[PrinceCharming]

In most cities, parking is defined as a motorist who stops any vehicle with the exception of loading and unloading passengers and belongings from and to the curb.

I dont know how your city defines parking.

But this defense should usually do the trick.

You were unloading quarters to the curb meter.

[moburkes]

Originally Posted by PrinceCharming

In most cities, parking is defined as a motorist who stops any vehicle with the exception of loading and unloading passengers and belongings from and to the curb.

I dont know how your city defines parking.

But this defense should usually do the trick.

You were unloading quarters to the curb meter.

And a quarter became a passenger at what point?

[PrinceCharming]

Originally Posted by moburkes

And a quarter became a passenger at what point?

In NYC:

For no parking, you can unload merchandise/personal belongings as well

For no Standing you can only unload passengers

For no Stopping, you cannot unload or load anything or anyone.

[moburkes]

Originally Posted by PrinceCharming

In NYC:

For no parking, you can unload merchandise/personal belongings as well

For no Standing you can only unload passengers

For no Stopping, you cannot unload or load anything or anyone.

This person is in CA, and he wasn't unloading a damn thing.

[CdwJava]

And in CA stopping, standing, or parking at a meter is the same offense ... no time on the meter, you get a citation. Out here the CITY generally doesn't define parking, the state does.

- Carl

[PrinceCharming]

Originally Posted by moburkes

This person is in CA, and he wasn't unloading a damn thing.

He said that he was unloading his quarter. I dont see why a quarter is not a personal belonging.

Now, if the city and/or state he lives in defines meters as a general no stopping zone, then he has no case. However, in NYC this would be a valid defense.