Washington, DC $100 parking ticket
Apr 7th, 2007, 06:27 AM
#1
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Washington, DC $100 parking ticket
We just returned from DC and hit the cherry blossoms at their height. Everything was great except for one thing. We got a $100 parking ticket! Returning in our car from Mt. Vernon we saw a spot on the street to park at a 2 hour meter and decided to spend a little time to spend on the mall. Upon returning (before our meter time was up) we saw a ticket on our window. We were shocked to see it was for $100! We really had to look hard to see where this was posted. Then several car lenghts ahead and 7'-8' high on a post was a sign that said no parking during rush hour on this street. It sure wasn't easy to see. There was also small print on the meter but they sure didn't seem to want to make it easy for you to know this. Anyway...my question is...has anyone had experience with a ticket like this and getting this resolved? We did take digital pictures of where our car was in relation to the signs. They also tow for this we found out! Any advice would be appreciated!
Apr 7th, 2007, 06:36 AM
#2
Don't you hate it what that happens?? But advice for what? A sign several car lengths away and a notice on the parking meter seems to me there was sufficient notice.
I would think (just me personally - they have you dead to rights) - but you might throw yourselves on the mercy of the court (but that likely requires appearing in person)
I would think (just me personally - they have you dead to rights) - but you might throw yourselves on the mercy of the court (but that likely requires appearing in person)
Apr 7th, 2007, 06:41 AM
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Pay it. The DC government (I live here) is very good at getting parking ticket revenue. If you don't pay now, you'll end up paying $100 plus penalties. Just be grateful that you weren't towed and consider this a lesson about reading the rules when you park.
Apr 7th, 2007, 06:52 AM
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Maybe you're right but the size of printing on the meter was like a 8 pt font and we had been reading the meters so carefully. I even came back to make sure we had enough time so we could go up in the Post Office Pavilion for the view. One DC person who walked by at that time said to forget it since we weren't from there and wouldn't be coming back. That idea just seems like it would cause $ and more trouble in the end as EricH said. Its just maddening because we thought we were being so careful.
Apr 7th, 2007, 07:03 AM
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Credit Bureau? I don't think they'll have anything to do with unpaid parking tickets.
It's more likely during your license renewal, or vehicle registration renewal, when these guys will remind you to fork over the 100 bucks plus, possibly, some interest.
It's more likely during your license renewal, or vehicle registration renewal, when these guys will remind you to fork over the 100 bucks plus, possibly, some interest.
Apr 7th, 2007, 07:21 AM
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I never said I wasn't going to pay it. I probably will contest it though. They have great big colored numbers to let you know if its a 1 or 2 hour meter but then in VERY tiny print on the meter (the size when you're writing a post) so we had to really look at the meter after we got the ticket - it said no parking after 4pm. Its almost like they're trying to get you so they can collect.
Apr 7th, 2007, 07:26 AM
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bill boy, if the ticket is not paid, they will turn it over to a collection agency which will put it on the credit report of the person who got the ticket.
jacobla, read the ticket to see whether you have to appear in court for a hearing - in most places, you do, but it's worth checking on. If you have to make an appearance to argue it, then I'd just pay it and go on with my life.
jacobla, read the ticket to see whether you have to appear in court for a hearing - in most places, you do, but it's worth checking on. If you have to make an appearance to argue it, then I'd just pay it and go on with my life.
Apr 7th, 2007, 07:33 AM
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On the DC website it says they will double it in 30 days if not paid. You can contest it by mail so that's what I plan to do. After the ticket I did notice some meters had the writing a little bigger, It just seems if they really want people to move by that time they would make those meters colored or the wriitng larger and who's going to ignore that and risk a $100 ticket? They did it with large blue or yellow 1's and 2's to let you know that's how long you can put $ in.
Apr 7th, 2007, 07:36 AM
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jacobla, I know you were trying to be careful, but the fact is you parked illegally--you didn't mean to, but you did. It happens. This isn't a scam, it's just vigilant enforcement. You shouldn't waste any more time on gnashing your teeth--pay the ticket and move on. Unless $100 (as a perfentage of the cost of your trip, peanuts, I bet) is worth worrying about an unpaid ticket catching up with you one day.
Apr 7th, 2007, 08:10 AM
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If this thread goes on long enough there will be all sorts of "trusted" Fodorites who will chime in and say you are a jerk for paying the ticket.
If you want to be like them go ahead and not pay it.
You are right..that print on the meter IS very small and probably for the very reason you thought it is.
Glad it won't happen to you again...believe me, a lot of us have been there and you already know honesty is the best policy.
If you want to be like them go ahead and not pay it.
You are right..that print on the meter IS very small and probably for the very reason you thought it is.
Glad it won't happen to you again...believe me, a lot of us have been there and you already know honesty is the best policy.
Apr 7th, 2007, 08:14 AM
#18
You can "contest" by mail. But that is just a request for a hearing. More than likely you would have to appear for the hearing. At which time the parking officer probably won't show up and you would get the ticket thrown out -- HOWEVER - that would mean the expense of a trip to DC (likely well over $100) and the chance the officer does show up. Then you'd have the expense of the trip + the $100 + probably court costs.
pay the thing . . . .
pay the thing . . . .
Apr 7th, 2007, 08:23 AM
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Similar thing happened to us last time we drove down to see the cherry blossoms. When we returned from walking all the way around the Tidal Basin, there was a $50 ticket on the windshield. My husband fussed and fumed 
but I paid it with no regrets because it was just such a beautiful day/experience and I desparately needed the break. Better than a day at a spa.
but I paid it with no regrets because it was just such a beautiful day/experience and I desparately needed the break. Better than a day at a spa.
Apr 7th, 2007, 08:24 AM
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Look at as a learning experience. You are probably lucky it wasn't towed. They are trying to clear the street for rush hour with an extra driving lane. The same thing happend to me years ago and I was just 15 minutes late. It was towed. And I was a state employee with a state vehicle. No mercy. Talk about inconvenience and expense. I learned. Whereever I am in a different parking area, I read everthing on the meter, the next meter, and every sign for about 20 yards in either direction.
Pay it, you have little choice. Ignorance of the law is not a defense.
Pay it, you have little choice. Ignorance of the law is not a defense.
