I'm so angry (parking violation issue)

[boricua79]

I'm going to try to make it simple.

I got cited for supposedly parking in a handicap spot. I received the citation in the mail, with a claim that I "drove off before I could be given the handicap violation"

I write a letter requesting a hearing as instructed on the ticket, with specific instructions asking HOW to contest the claim in a court of law.

I get a Final Violation Notice two weeks later, claiming I'm being fined $10.00 EXTRA dollars for not paying or "providing a letter requesting a hearing". I SENT THE LETTER!

I talk to the Hearing Officer. Her entire attitude on the phone was one of assuming I was guilty and playing hard to get regarding getting the information I wanted. She even tried to stick in the "I know the police officer...she's had years of experience in her work. If she saw you in the parking spot, she saw you there". As if that cop was infallible.

I asked about the hearing. her response, "your letter was your hearing. We read it, discussed and denied the hearing. You still have to pay the fine, sir".

I told her that in this country, people have a right to contest claims made by cops against them, and she said, "not for parking violations. We're the parking clerk's office. WE informally sent you a fine, heard your hearing through the letter, and decided that you have to pay the fine."

The Parking Clerk's informally sends me legally-binding violation notices asking for my my money...all of it "informally". I have no right to redress in a court of law...but they have a right to enact legal penalties and take the side of police officers at whim?

Bullshit...after continued insistence, she relented and said that there was always "Judicial Review" in Superior Court (that was the next step).

It took me an irate phone call to finally get my rights heard. I imagine that she was so hesitant to give me that info because they know their case is weak. I have a paid parking receipt proving I parked somewhere else and they have no other witness testimony but the claim of a police officer who didn't even approach me and could have mistaken my car for another.

What the HELL is happening to this freaking country that it takes fighting so much just to get people to explain to you the official procedures to exercise your rights?

I hate stupid government clerks!

[Labors of Hercules]

1. See... this is what conservatives have been fighting against for YEARS!!!

All this government interference in our lives with no checks on power! All this... what? Republicans are in charge of what? no. you're crazy, man. Damn liberals! Just enough to assess and collect your fines, but fewer government people to hear your "bullshit claim that you are right and we are wrong" is the most efficient way to ensure due process... Small government all the way!

*hack hack* :sarcasm:

[LisaM]

2. Well, I don't know where you live, but municipalities are understaffed

They are squeezed to death because of tax cuts. So customer service goes out the window. It's really too bad. I received one parking ticket in Seattle years ago and was able to go and talk to a "magistrate", I think they called him about it; I explained my position and he ripped it up. Very civilized and straightforward. I have no idea if they have the bandwidth to provide that kind of service now, though.

[Captain Hilts]

3. In DC they issue parking tickets when you've done nothing wrong because...

they know you won't contest it and they need that money.

[Richard Steele]

4. In light of some of your previous posts, I'll take the cop's word that you deserved that ticket.

You've claimed to have deliberately run bicyclists off the road;
claimed to BE a bicyclist who regularly rides on sidewalks and
the wrong way in traffic....

All in all, you've gone to some lengths to depict yourself
as EXACTLY the type of person who would illegally park
in a spot designated for handicapped drivers.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

5. heh

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

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