Parking in a space between two handicapped spaces on private property

[robertjsweet]

What is the name of your state?New Jerseyundefined

One evening at about 10:30 pm I was trying to park at my condominum complex. All the street parking was full and the private parking lot that I normally park at was also full. I noticed that between the handicapped spaces in the private lot there was a boxed off section that had enough space so a car could park there. I parked on the boxed off section leaving the spaces on either side available for parking. The parking sign showed arrows pointing to the two spaces and a fine for first offense of 100.00.
I received a ticket for parking in a handicapped space at about 3:15 am.
I checked on line and found out the the fine has been increased to 250.00.
My question is that by trying to mitigate (lessen) the damage by parking where I did can I contest the ticket and fine. Does the sign have to show the correct fine and penalties, did the police officer have the right to ticket me on private property (the condominium complex) and was I able to park where I did leaving the two handicapped spaces open.

[seniorjudge]

You were illegally parked and you have to pay the fine.

End of story.

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by robertjsweet

What is the name of your state?New Jerseyundefined

One evening at about 10:30 pm I was trying to park at my condominum complex. All the street parking was full and the private parking lot that I normally park at was also full. I noticed that between the handicapped spaces in the private lot there was a boxed off section that had enough space so a car could park there. I parked on the boxed off section leaving the spaces on either side available for parking. The parking sign showed arrows pointing to the two spaces and a fine for first offense of 100.00.
I received a ticket for parking in a handicapped space at about 3:15 am.
I checked on line and found out the the fine has been increased to 250.00.
My question is that by trying to mitigate (lessen) the damage by parking where I did can I contest the ticket and fine. Does the sign have to show the correct fine and penalties, did the police officer have the right to ticket me on private property (the condominium complex) and was I able to park where I did leaving the two handicapped spaces open.

**A: stop playing games and pay the fine.

[racer72]

Does the sign have to show the correct fine and penalties

Just the state mandated amount, local jurisdiction can add more to the ticket.


did the police officer have the right to ticket me on private property (the condominium complex)

Handicap parking laws apply to all public parking lots, public and private.

was I able to park where I did leaving the two handicapped spaces open.

Apparently not. Most handicap parking spot are required to be wide enough to accomodate special needs vehicles, I would guess that is what the box between the spots is for.

[wirry1422]

First off, yes the a cop can ticket anybody in violation of handicapped parking laws on any and all public or private property. Handicapped parking tickets are pretty much the one and only parking violation that ALL jurisdictions around the country have authorization to ticket for on any and all properties. (some jurisdictions also allow police to ticket on private property for fire lane violations as well, but that is not universal.) Secondly, you were parked in violation of the law. The space between handicapped parking spaces is an "access isle" that not even people with handicapped credentials are supposed to park in. The space is there to allow people using wheelchairs and vans with wheelchair lifts more room to manuever in and out of the vehicles (think of how narrow normal parking spaces are and the difficulties for someone in a wheelchair when you park on top of their vehicle.) In the future just remember that despite what any signs or markings may indicate, you can pretty much never park between two marked handicapped spots. As for the fine amount and contesting, you can try contesting. I can guarantee that the ticket will not be dismissed, but you may luck out and receive a reduced fine.