Do I have to pay this parking ticket?

[Darkstar752]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Pennsylvania

I parked in a private college campus lot tonight for about 10 minutes, didn't see any signs and there was definitely no sign over the parking space itself. It's about a 30 car lot. I was there for about 10 minutes then left, and found a $175 parking fine for Not Having a Valid Permit from the university. Half the fines on the ticket are 175 with the cheapest being 50 and the most expensive 300. It would have been cheaper to have gotten my car towed.


It was an honest mistake and it was 10 minutes. This is clearly a greedy private college(I don't go there) that just wants money, so my question is do you think they will do anything if I don't pay it? It's from the Moravian College Police Department, not real police, and the ticket says nothing about any extra laws besides the fine will double in 5 days. Do you think they will pursue me about it? I know the town's other private college doesn't do anything if you don't pay parking tickets unless you go there, but then again their parking tickets are much less, around $25.

 

[racer72]

It's from the Moravian College Police Department, not real police,

Hate to tell you this but Moravian College Campus Safety is a fully accredited law enforcement agency, just like the "real police". They do not have the same authority in some respects that are granted to regular police departments. Parking enforcement is one area they do have authority though.

Do you think they will pursue me about it?

That is hard to say, they do have the legal authority to do so. Based on their website, they may not attempt to collect if you are not a student or employee. I would suggest talking to a local attorney familiar with the college's parking policies and how far they will take collection efforts against a non student.

 

[HighwayMan]

It would have been cheaper to have gotten my car towed.

No it wouldn't have. Then you would have to pay the $175 plus the tow fees.

It was an honest mistake and it was 10 minutes.

Totally irrelevant as a defense.

This is clearly a greedy private college(I don't go there) that just wants money,

The only thing that is "clear" is that they have every right to promulgate and enforce their own parking rules.

Why were you there to begin with?