When To Stop Fighting A NYC Parking Ticket

Once a NYC parking summons goes into “judgment”, it becomes difficult to vacate that default and interest starts to accrue. So when does an New York City parking ticket go into judgment?

If you challenge a New York City parking ticket and lose, you have 30 days to appeal. If you default in answering it and a fine is imposed, you have 30 days to pay it. A judgment is entered against you soon after the expiration of either one of these 30-day periods. It is at this point that you have only two choices: pay the full amount or disregard it.

Note that the “hearing complete” designation on the Department of Finance’s web site does not include the date the hearing officer makes a finding of guilty. So while the 30 days begins to run from the date of decision, you cannot tell when it was handed down and you should act promptly if you want to try and reduce the fine.

Once a case is in judgment, you can try and vacate the default within one year of the default but you’ll need to prove a reasonable excuse for the default and a meritorious defense to the offense.