Would you contest this?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

Friday morning I drove to my gig, which started a half hour earlier than usual, at 10am. I parked in the Metro garage, as usual. The spaces I typically take are reserved for permit holders from 2am-10am. I arrived at 9:50, and there were dozens of these spots open. So I figured, "What the heck...who would hand out a ticket 10 minutes before they open up, when I'm not impeding anything?" Besides, street parking was bagged off, due to kiddie concerts we'd given the day before.

Damned if there wasn't a $50 ticket waiting for me when I got to my car, with 9:50 as the time of issue. :grr:

I feel like I ought to be able to get it reduced, at least, since I wasn't affecting anything by parking there. What do you think?

[nuxvomica]

1. I would contest it

The timing indicates that the security guard may have been waiting for you to leave the area so he could ticket you without a face-to-face, which might have given you a chance to move the car. That aside, ten minutes with lots of empty spaces around hardly justifies a $50 fine.

[Bassic]

2. I would contest it.

At the time at which you got it, you were obviously the target of some low-life security guard who feels like a big man when he does this.

[rustydog]

3. Was there teeny lettering underneath saying: Except if you park

here at 9:50?
That is like the people defending parking in handicapped stalls because: they would "only be a minute"

[GoddessOfGuinness]

4. It's not, really...

There were at least 2 dozen of these spaces available, and little likelihood that permit-holders would flood the place in the 10 minutes that were remaining. They weren't handicapped sites.

[trof]

5. Argue it with the judge.

Had a similar situation, too complicated to get into, but...
I argued the 'spirit/intent of the law' as opposed to the strict 'letter of the law'.
The judge admired that I cared enough to come in and argue a relatively minor offense and also bought my argument. He canceled the ticket.

There's also a good chance that the officer who wrote the ticket will be too busy to show up and that would be in your favor too.

You have everything to gain and nothing (but a little time) to lose.
Go for it.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

6. Thanks for the tip...

Did you research before you appeared in court?