In Boston and other cities in Massachusetts, motorists cannot challenge a $100 parking ticket in court without first paying a $275 court fee. If found innocent, the motorist does not receive a refund of the $275.
I mean, seriously? Why the hell can they get away with that?
It does somewhat stun me, especially if that is a policy that has been around for a while, as it entirely defeats the point of contestation, which should be a fairly basic right for these sort of things.
- I'd have loved to be at the meeting that decided this was a valid tactic, just to see their amazing powers of reasoning:
'well the situation is, only two-thirds of these tickets turn out to be valid. We should probably get some better traffic wardens and better signs, yeah?'
'how about we stop them being contested in the first place, and get robot wardens?'
I just moved here, and I just got a job as a courier, and most of my stops are in the Loop. I expect great things from this crash course approach to parking tickets.
I expect great things from this crash course approach to parking tickets.
Strictly speaking, Chicago does not automatically deny you your right to appeal. What it does do is to never admit to any error.
For example: mopeds are treated like bicycles for most parking purposes, but they'll get ticketed by Chicago's finest regardless. You can take the ticket to court, challenge it, and you will win (assuming you meet moped criteria, 49cc or less engine, pedals, some other things). But that won't stop you from getting tickets in the future, and you'll have to go to court to challenge them every single time. Eventually you'll get worn out from the nuisance value and just pay the ticket to avoid losing time on a busy day.
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(no subject)
Date: 2007-11-10 03:31 pm (UTC)I mean, seriously? Why the hell can they get away with that?
(no subject)
Date: 2007-11-10 03:45 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-11-10 05:21 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-11-10 05:27 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-11-10 08:30 pm (UTC)'well the situation is, only two-thirds of these tickets turn out to be valid. We should probably get some better traffic wardens and better signs, yeah?'
'how about we stop them being contested in the first place, and get robot wardens?'
'... that works for me'
(no subject)
Date: 2007-11-11 12:25 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-11-11 12:30 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-11-12 02:05 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-11-12 02:35 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-11-12 02:38 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-11-12 08:43 pm (UTC)Strictly speaking, Chicago does not automatically deny you your right to appeal. What it does do is to never admit to any error.
For example: mopeds are treated like bicycles for most parking purposes, but they'll get ticketed by Chicago's finest regardless. You can take the ticket to court, challenge it, and you will win (assuming you meet moped criteria, 49cc or less engine, pedals, some other things). But that won't stop you from getting tickets in the future, and you'll have to go to court to challenge them every single time. Eventually you'll get worn out from the nuisance value and just pay the ticket to avoid losing time on a busy day.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-11-11 12:54 am (UTC)