Parking Ticket Question - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

MonsieurFish · 03-04-2010, 05:02 PM

I just recently got a parking ticket up by the university. I've been parking at pretty much the exact same spot for over a year, have watched multiple parking officers drive by it with no problem, and have never got a ticket until just a few days ago. As soon as I got it, I phoned them to complain, and told them all of the above, and they told me that my car was complained about, and hence they had to go measure me and give me a ticket. It was measured that my car was 4.3m away from an intersection, and you're supposed to be 5m away. I'm pretty sure that someone from the bar Kilkenny's complained, because I park in a spot that sometimes a semi that drops off food at the bar partially parks in in order to not be sticking out into the driveway.

Anyways, two questions... how good of a chance do I have of fighting this ticket and winning? And secondly, how do I do this? I called and complained but the guy said there was nothing he could do... and I'd have to go to court. I'm not exactly sure how to arrange this, and how much time does it take/what exactly happens if I was to take this route?

Thanks

CMPunk · 03-04-2010, 05:08 PM

Tough one to fight...you were "technically" too close, and it'll be tough to prove that you've been parking there for a year. The judge will probably just say you were lucky you weren't caught sooner.

as for the how...traffic court I would imagine. If it's a city ticket, does it have a court date on it?

burning_acid1 · 03-04-2010, 05:10 PM

I don't know how you'd be able to fight it.

TopChed · 03-04-2010, 05:11 PM

I'd imagine just showing up to plead your case would at least reduce the price significantly though.

burning_acid1 · 03-04-2010, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TopChed

I'd imagine just showing up to plead your case would at least reduce the price significantly though.

Yeah that usually seems to work pretty well.

amorak · 03-04-2010, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TopChed

I'd imagine just showing up to plead your case would at least reduce the price significantly though.

If this was a several hundred dollar speeding ticket, I completely agree - show up, plead with the prosecutor, and take your lashes.

...but a $40 parking ticket with no insurance ramification?

Waste o time!

SteveToms · 03-04-2010, 05:34 PM

Just pay up.

Pinner · 03-04-2010, 05:43 PM

The only time I went to court and fought a ticket it was very stressful.

Worth it, no way... I got "clocked" at 10 kmh over the speed limit...

"Clocked" means no radar in the cruiser, very sketchy to state the obvious...

It was a new hire lady cop just learning, training with a seasoned guy, she could have charged me with anything and won, this was 25 years ago when cops were men, she was a "novelty" and treated as such.

Pay your ticket, it's not worth the hassle.

Traffic court = kangaroo court

amorak · 03-04-2010, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinner

The only time I went to court and fought a ticket it was very stressful.

Worth it, no way... I got "clocked" at 10 kmh over the speed limit...

"Clocked" means no radar in the cruiser, very sketchy to state the obvious...

It was a new hire lady cop just learning, training with a seasoned guy, she could have charged me with anything and won, this was 25 years ago when cops were men, she was a "novelty" and treated as such.

Pay your ticket, it's not worth the hassle.

Traffic court = kangaroo court

Quoted for truth - Everyone in the traffic court system is all palsy - The cops are friends with the lame-duck crown prosecutor who is friends with the lame-ass JP's.

I have had some legal training in university (when I planned on being a lawyer) and have fought my way out of more than a few tickets - But I am no lawyer. That said, the place is a mockery of justice, on both sides.

I have personally seen old ladies get up and cry and scream at the JP for 20 minutes, drawing random things on a white board and talking about how they have driven without a seatbelt since 1950.

I've also seen JP's disregard very valid tesitmony by the accused for no apparent reason - the whole place is basically run on 'gut feel' and last minute deals with the crown.

The whole thing is insane - Now a days, I hire a cheap agent (a retired traffic cop) who fights my tickets for me for $50-100 - saves me time and stress and I always end up, magically, with a noise complaint ticket.

Pinner · 03-04-2010, 05:58 PM

Wow man, a suppressed memory of another time just surfaced... not good

Save your self respect and pay it.

MonsieurFish · 03-04-2010, 06:08 PM

Hmmm sounds like it might not be worth it, I'll probably just pay it.

GreatWhiteEbola · 03-04-2010, 06:18 PM

Submit an Administrative Review. Details are on your parking tag.

As far as I know, parking violations and traffic violations, are two separate things.

algernon · 03-05-2010, 06:34 AM

You fight this by brawling with the staff at the Killkenney's. Don't let those drunken Irish jerks get away with this.

Misterpants · 03-05-2010, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatWhiteEbola

Submit an Administrative Review. Details are on your parking tag.

As far as I know, parking violations and traffic violations, are two separate things.

For true. The link...

https://www.calgaryparking.com/web/g...es/adminreview

We had some parking issues around our office and the guy we eventually talked to at the ticket place said that a ridiculous number of tickets get quashed. Just submit a drawing and your best sob story!

fundmark19 · 03-05-2010, 09:30 AM

Just measure 5 metres from the sign take some bright colored spray paint mark where that is and keep parking at the exact legal spot for ever more to keep pissing them off

Locke · 03-05-2010, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by algernon

You fight this by brawling with the staff at the Killkenney's. Don't let those drunken Irish jerks get away with this.

"Whatsh that Shon?"