Parking ticket

[judecorp]

I got a parking ticket this morning. I am so furious about it.

I'm furious because I didn't have any other freaking /options/. And I DO like options. I got to my home visit on time, and circled the street THREE times with no parking in sight. You see, this particular housing complex borders a university or two in the area and the whole freaking street was packed to the gills with cars that were not residents. It was so infuriating! I was paranoid about being too late for the visit (first impressions and all of that), and I didn't want to risk parking in the complex lot and the potential of getting towed, so I squeezed in on the street juuuuuust covering a handicap ramp on the sidewalk.

And I felt totally bad about it because I'm pro-accessibility, but I didn't know what else to do in the heat of the moment. I drove that whole freaking neighborhood three times!

Well, now I know what I can do about it. Pay 50 freaking bucks that we don't have. I am so livid I could spit fire. What the heck do they expect me to do in that situation??!?!? I'd appeal, but I don't know if that will put Jen in jeopardy. (The car is registered to her, so technically the ticket is hers.)

Argh argh argh argh I hate this crap I want a job where the people come to ME argh argh argh!

(On the plus side, I got to see Ms. Shani Jean tonight. Yay!)

Comments

[00solstice.livejournal.com]

Argh argh argh argh [...] argh argh argh!



hey Popeye, how about laying off the spinach?

:-p I hope your week gets better!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Where's me Olive Oyl?

[thespian.livejournal.com]

uhm. circled or not, sweetness, you *did* do it....I know it's harsh, but I say suck it up, sadly.

That said, however, the truth is, if you *do* appeal it, it'll prolly get tossed. You say you're worried what it'll do to jen, but it won't do anything; if they don't reduce it or toss it, it'll just go the same way it'll go if you just pay it. They don't penalize you or anything.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I know I did it. I'm not saying that I didn't. I'm just pissed about it because I didn't really have any other choice. It's not like I could call the family and cancel their appointment because I couldn't find parking. It's not like I could park two miles away and be completely late getting there (I drove nearly a mile in all directions as it was). It's not like I could park on the streets where there was no parking, or could park in the "residents only" lots where they tow your cars, or come back later when there were more spots.

Granted, now that I know the parking situation in the area, I can make sure to come 15-20 minutes early to all appointments to ensure that I have a parking space and time to walk a greater distance. Since it was the first time I was there, I had no idea the street would be bumper-to-bumper Northeastern students.

My only concern with appealing was whether I/Jen would get in trouble for late payment if I waited to hear the result of the appeal. I don't want to jeopardize her for my situation.

[folkyboy.livejournal.com]

shitty...

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Indeed. $50 is a lot of money.

At least now I know the charges for different parking violations, so if I'm ever in a similar situation, I can choose a cheaper illegal option.

Parking Tickets Are Doomsayers

[hazelpeach.livejournal.com]

As I worked in the Parking Services for the University for a month....

I say: Appeal it!

It'd not hurt anything, and most chances, court don't meet but once a month.

You can explain the situation to them. It's your first offense, and you're 'new' to the area (not new-new, but you can use that line.) And you were doing what you thought was best, and you can then apologize about parking so close to that.

What would it hurt? NOthing at all. The ticket may be lowered, or tossed.

As I say to all students who don't know if they should appeal, "Appeal anyway! The worse they'd do is say 'no and pay up.'"

Re: Parking Tickets Are Doomsayers

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

True. I suppose it's worth a shot at least.

[daddi-cade.livejournal.com]

Could have been worse - they could have (should have) towed you away. Much as though I'm rather anti-authority, when people park on, or obstruct, disabled access, it pisses me off... to say "I'm pro-accessibility" but then stop someone from getting where they need to be? Hmm. C'mon, be honest. Just because one can doesn't make it right.
That said, the US gives people less options because it is such a car-centric society. That said, imagine if you were a wheelchair user and you came across someone parked in the same way?
OK sorry, rantette over... don't take it personally, I just like to offer to the other side of the coin (OK OK I admit it: I'm a contrary bastard...)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Nah, it's okay. I understand.

I'm not saying it was the right thing to do. If there had been, say, an available parking meter I would have gone there (even though I didn't have change - another violation). Or if there was a no-parking zone that wasn't a tow zone, I would have gone there.

Not to rationalize (much) or anything, but there /were/ two ramps on that corner... so theoretically I didn't prevent anyone from getting anywhere, but I know what you're saying. If I had seen someone parked in front of a ramp I would have berated them in my mind, too.