BEAT THAT PARKING TICKET             

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   7 Offbeat Tips

   from Beat That Parking Ticket:

• Mail in just the summons number – not the actual ticket

By mailing in just the number, you force the judges to look at only the “official” ticket on their computer screens – a ticket that may have technical defects that are easier for them to overlook if they have the ticket itself in front of them. For live hearings – download the official ticket from the web and bring in that.

• If you’re relying on them taking you at your word – always go for a live hearing

By sending in your evidence by mail or internet, your chances of being convincing drop like a stone. The key is to be there to answer their skeptical questions with credible replies. 

• Always take pictures of the whole street – and every sign on it

Just one sign on a block is what the law requires. To show them you’re right, send in pics of the entire block. 

·        Never trust a cop’s word

Just because a passing police officer told you that you could park there doesn’t mean that the cop around the corner will agree with him. The final word on how to understand the sign is the judge’s – and he won’t care what the cop told you.

·        Never say that you needed to go to the bathroom

It’s not obvious, but this is one excuse that will never work. Mostly because it falls into the category of good excuses the judges hear way too often.

·        Don’t forget you need to be 15 feet from the hydrant

If you’re in doubt, count sidewalk squares – three squares ought to do the trick. And if you have to fight this one without photographic proof, go down to a live hearing to make your case most persuasively.

·        You can only double park long enough to drop someone off or pick someone up

Sometimes the cops are nice and won’t ticket you when it’s street-cleaning time, but officially double parking is a no-no all the time – unless you’re “expeditiously” dropping off or picking up a passenger.