Contesting a Parking Ticket When Details Are Incorrect

When faced with a parking ticket, it can be quite frustrating to deal with an alleged infraction that seems to have minor or even subjective details that are incorrect. In particular, issues with make, color, and style can complicate the situation. This article will explore the process of contesting a parking ticket and the factors considered in such contests.

Understanding the Basics

Often, these details can be subjective and difficult to discern. For example, the color of a car can be ambiguous. Is it red or a dark pink? Maybe even a darker orange? Similarly, a crossover or SUV can be confusing. A scrivener’s error, or simply incorrect information on your insurance papers, can add to the confusion. However, the key detail that matters most is whether the license plate information recorded is correct.

Required Elements

For a parking ticket to stand, certain required elements must be correctly entered. In New York City, these elements may include:

Make or model Plate number Plate type Body type Registration expiration date

These elements are crucial as they help identify the vehicle and the owner. The color of your car, on the other hand, is not considered a required element. If you have any doubts or find errors in the ticket, it is advisable to pay the ticket before being assessed additional fines for non-payment.

Contesting the Ticket

If you believe that a ticket was issued mistakenly due to incorrect details, you have the option to contest it. One strategy is to claim that your car was not parked at that location at the time of the alleged violation. You might also need to provide evidence regarding the license plate, which can be challenging but can still be managed by presenting proper documentation.

Court Appearance

If you choose to take the matter to court, you may have the opportunity to discuss your case with a prosecutor. They can listen to your argument and consider what you are presenting. For instance, in one case where the ticket was written for parking "less than 12 inches from the curb," the ticket was dismissed as there is no such offense. However, in other cases where the details regarding the vehicle's color are contested, it may not be enough to discredit the identification of the vehicle if other details are correct.

Strategies to Consider

When contesting a parking ticket, it is important to weigh the potential outcomes. If the other details are essentially correct and the offending party (the car being parked) was indeed identified correctly, going to trial might not be the best option. This is because:

The judge can impose a sentence that may be more severe than the standard fine mentioned on the ticket. You may have to pay extra for having contested an issue that you likely could not have won.

Therefore, it is often wise to suggest to the prosecutor what your issue is and see if it is resolved without a court appearance.

Key Takeaways

Check if the license plate information is correct, as that is the most important detail. Understand the required elements for a parking ticket to stand. Consider contesting the ticket if the details are incorrect, but be prepared for potential consequences.

By understanding these aspects, you can better navigate the process of contesting a parking ticket when the details are inaccurately recorded.