Wrong plate info

[skizzell]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? CALIFORNIA

(I'm sure this has been asked before, but I could not find a similar post)

I recently received a parking ticket (California) with the license plate filled out incorrectly. I have a custom plate and the issuing officer spelled it wrong (added a letter not in the plate). I'm guessing I have a strong case to appeal this ticket since this is a vital piece of info regarding the citation. But my question is, do I even have to worry about the appeal because they won't even have this plate on record? If they look up the plate in the DMV database, it won't show up because it is misspelled, hence they won't have a record of me or my car...is that true? There is also a field on my ticket that says 'VIN4' with 4 digits listed after it. Do they also take down your VIN number, or do they just go by the plate? Thanks in advance for the advice!

-R

 

[CdwJava]

It depends ... if the person that processes the cites catches the error and modifies the registration info with the correct digit/letter, you could be caught. And they'll know when they have it because of the VIN (they generally only take down the last 4 of the VIN).

It's up to you if you want to take the chance and ignore it.

- Carl

 

[skizzell]

Well, I doubt that the processor will catch the mistake because the spelling error is not noticable at all. I actually didn't catch the mistake myself until the 3rd time I looked at the ticket. But if by some chance they do catch the mistake and correct it, will I be notified via mail about my ticket? The only reason why I don't want to just go ahead and fight it is because if I do come forward and they have a face/name to the citation, they may try to tell me that the typo in my plate is irrelevant to the case and then I'm trapped. But, at the same time, I don't want to ignore it and have the late fees come haunt me later. I really don't know what route I should take. Is anyone familiar with the laws about putting in the wrong plate info? Is it a slam dunk case for my appeal that they screwed up a vital piece of info on the ticket?

 

[CdwJava]

No, it is not a slam dunk to appealing the case. Traffic citations are handled as essentially a civil matter. You would appeal to parking enforcement personnel.

NOT coming forward has it's pitfalls as well ... you may not receive any other notices in the mail (chances are you would, but there are stories ...). Chances are you would receive a follow-up notice in the mail - but, if your registration address was not up to date, then you wouldn't receive it even if the plate had ben correct. And if they don't follow-up with a notice, the lien (fee) will be placed on your vehicle registration when it comes up next year. So, you'll know eventually.

- Carl