My dear friend Lawrence Berezin of New York Parking Ticket.com has graciously shared his user-friendly way to identify defects in a New York City parking ticket. The below image show the 10 items which must be properly completed in order for your NYC parking ticket to be valid. If any one (or more) of these items are omitted or incorrect, you should plead not guilty to the ticket and explain which of these items are defective.
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Hi Matthew,
I received a ticket for double parking on 9/5/15 at 11:10pm on the summons the office wrote the time as 23:10 am and wrote the date of offense as 6/13/15. I am a delivery driver for the business I was ticketed in front of as well. My question is what is the best way to fight the summons? Can it be dismissed just based on his errors? Or should include information about working at that location? I am opting for an online hearing if that makes a difference.
Thank You!
Thomas,
You should raise the errors at your online hearing. The fact that you were working is irrelevant to exonerate yourself form double parking so do not raise it.
Matthew Weiss
Hi –
I received a parking ticket where I was present while the officer wrote the ticket but she wrote in the comments “no driver”. I was standing outside the car attempting to get in to move. Would this be a legitimate defense and how would I prove it? (perhaps a physical description of the officer?)
Also, do you happen to know when a ticket is time stamped – Is it when an officer commences writing the ticket or when s/he hits print? My ticket is time stamped 11:06AM and legal parking ended at 11AM. I’m pretty sure I was at my car before 11:06 (maybe 11:03) — since we’re talking such a short amount of time, could I suggest in a defense that the officer’s watch was not recently calibrated? If the ticket is time stamped at the end and the ticket takes about 3 minutes to write, then she would have started writing the ticket at about 11:03 according to her watch (or whatever machine she used to print ticket / keep time). I think 3 minutes could be within a margin of error, but I’m not sure about 6 minutes.
Thank you for your help and for what you do!
Best,
Caroline
Caroline W,
The “no driver” error will not help you, and the time stamp issue does not seem to be helpful either.
Matthew Weiss
Hi Matthew,
I want to say Thank you so much for this and helping out people with their tickets. I was scrolling down to see if anyone was in the same situation that I was in but couldn’t find an exact one. If possible, can you take a look at my situation?
I recently got a parking violation for Double Parking. I had a passenger in the car while the ticket agent came by and starting writing down the ticket. (Ticket agent asked passenger to move the car but did not ask for license) The passenger immediately called me and told me to come. Within seconds I came back and told her I’m here and I can move the car and I sat in the car. The ticket agent still writing down my information but I waited and asked if I can just go. I did not want to be rude and just leave. She ended up giving me a ticket.
So I tried to look up if it was possible to give me a ticket when I was present when she was writing down my ticket and I can move my car.
Also when coming to this wonderful site I came across that the ticket said Complainant’s comment: No driver passenger had no license.
In addition the ticket just has the wrong Exp. Date.
She never asked for the passenger’s license. Is the ticket considered invalid just because of the wrong Exp. Date? Do I just plead not guilty and submitted a photo of my car with the Exp. Date on the windshield?
Sorry for the long comment. Once again thank you.
Dan
Dan,
The “no driver” discrepancy will not likely help you beat this ticket. The wrong expiration date, however, could be your best argument.
Good luck and thank you for your nice remarks!
Matthew Weiss
Hi Matthew,
I got a ticket saying that I was parked 5 ft from a hydrant when there is actually none. Also the ticket says that I was parked on a different location. I have pictures of where I was parked, with no hydrant nearby. Is it my word against the officers?
Thanks!
Martin
Martin,
Those are good arguments especially with photographs.
Good luck!
Matthew Weiss
Hi,
I traveled into NYC from out of town (still NYS though) They seem to have all the information on the ticket correct. My sister was in labor and I moved my car 20 minutes (9:20) after the start of the posted sign(cleaning 9-10:30), and 5 minutes after getting the ticket (9:150) (I also learned after the fact and paying for a parking garage that I could have stayed parked there since I already got the ticket). Would my sister being in labor be considered a valid medical defense?
Thanks in advance, This is a fantastic resource.
D,
No. That does not sound like a valid defense unless her labor had something to do with your illegal parking.
Matthew Weiss
Thank you for the advice.
Matthew,
I received a street cleaning ticket that was written out for the wrong state (Colorado instead of Connecticut). I didn’t realized the error until I attempted to pay the fine on the NYC ticket pay website and discovered the ticket is not linked to my license plate in their system. Do you suppose it’s safe to simply ignore this ticket?
Thanks,
Martin
Martin,
From what you write, it seems like your pretty safe.
Matthew Weiss
My daughter-in-law parked my car on West 88th near West End Avenue on Tuesday evening. I went to look at it on Wednesday morning and thought it might be too close to the hydrant near WEA. There was a traffic officer right there writing a ticket for a car parked in front of the church and having it towed. I asked him about my car and he specifically stated “you’re fine….no one will bother you there”. I did not get his name or badge number but he was writing a ticket at that time on that block. On Wednesday afternoon at 5:00, I received a ticket for being parked too close to the hydrant. They said 6 ft but I know it was more than that. I did not take a picture when I found the ticket on Thursday morning. Is this something I can fight?
Bettina Rosser,
Without photographs, I doubt that you will win this case. Further, the first agent’s opinion about the car’s proximity to the hydrant is not helpful.
Matthew Weiss
Hi Matthew,
Thanks for all your assistance! In Nassau County I received a ticket for failing to stop at a stop sign. I notice on the ticket that he wrote the car color as black, when it’s actually a deep purple. Is this enough in this jurisdiction to win? Do I plead not guilty and include pictures of the car to show the color? So I show up on the appearence date listed on the ticket and show the pictures to the assistant DA and ask for not guilty instead of pleading it down (this is my first offense)?
Thanks again!
Simeon,
The wrong color is a valid defense. You need to plead not guilty and ask for a trial. At the trial, you an prove the error with photographs and the original registration.
Matthew Weiss
Was up in Hunter mountain area this summer. Parked on the side of the road to hike a popular mountain trail. Came back to find parking ticket $50.00 + $25 service fee. There was no sign in the area, but down the road and around the mountain there was one of those No parking signs with the arrow (you know the one). Oh well. The officer filled out the summons identifying my car as Blue. it’s Black. Is this a defense? Even if it is, a friend of mine got a ticket there as well. He said the Hunter people don’t seem to believe in mail. You can’t send in a statement of defense, they want you in person. From NYC, It would probably cost in gas and tolls at least $45 bucks, and a whole day of work. Thank you in advance for this service and your advice.
Naphtali,
I have no experience fighting a parking ticket in this town. With that said, the wrong color is a good defense. It just depends on whether you want to waste time and money to go to court (and hopefully win).
Matthew Weiss
Hi Matthew
I park in the same location all the time and get on the bus. Today I parked there and when I got back to my car I had a 115 ticket for parking in a no standing zone. I looked up and there was a brand new no standing sign that I think was installed after I parked my car. Is there any way I can find ok when the sign was I talked to show that it was the same day?
Thank you
Joeh,
You can make a Freedom of Information Act request for the installation information on the sign. Make the request to the NYC Department of Transportation. If you can prove it was installed after you parked and left the car, then you should win this case.
Good luck!
Matthew Weiss
Hello,
I would like to thank you for all your help as well!
Do I stand a chance of dismissal of the ticket, if instead of make of the car (Tesla) there’s only “NS” is printed? When I open ticket details on the gov site the make is shown correctly (unfortunately).
Thanks again!
Ivan
Thank you Ivan or acknowledging my assistance.
Because your ticket states “NS” rather than Tesla, I think you have a chance. No guarantees but give it a shot.
Matthew Weiss
Hello, before i begin explaining the issue i am dealing with, i would like to thank you for the time you take to answer so many questions. On August 20th i was loading sheet rock into my van on 179 Christie St. in the city as i was approached by an officer. I was pulled over to the side, blocking the bike lane as there was no other way to load materials into my car. The officer gave me a ticket for violation 4-08 (e)(9), blocking the bike lane. I pleaded with him stating there was no other way to load work materials and i was there for 5 minutes. He claimed his supervisor told him to to issue me a ticket and drove off. Is there any way i can fight this? Thank you
Rostik,
Thank you for your recognizing my efforts. That is nice of you.
From what you wrote, it does not like sound like you have much of a defense.
Matthew Weiss
On July 24 2015, I received a violation for an expired registration sticker. However, my vehicle was registered at the time of the violation, and I was waiting for the new registration sticker in the mail. As proof I have a letter from the DMV explicitly stating that my vehicle’s registration was renewed on the July 7 2015, and furthermore I had the registration lost in the mail replaced.
I submitted that in for as defense and was found guilty.
How could I appeal the ticket?
In the complainant’s Comments on the ticket he only listed the Sticker number with no expiration date. Should I ask for dismissal of the ticket based on that omission?
Mike Lovi,
Winning an appeal is very difficult. Further, if your ticket was issued for failing to display a valid registration, then you have no chance. With that said, if you have the time, give it a shot and raise these arguments.
Matthew Weiss
my parking ticket stated 40 ft N of w 3rd street. I was car not in the car. Ticket is for parking to close to fire hydrant. Does it mean my car was 40 ft from curb of w 3rd street. Can I use it for my defense as
the fact? I did not make picture of the place at that day. Thank you
Helen,
Nothing you write seems helpful to win.
Matthew Weiss
Hi Mr. Weiss
Thank you for your professional opinions, they are very helpful!!
I recent got a ” no standing at all time ticket” however there are two points I want to use to dispute this ticket.
1. On the ticket it says on Place of Occurrence: E13th st and E 2nd St (obviously an error)
2. The street sign is temporary, it only has “No standing at all time ” on one side and it is displaying as perpendicularlly to the road. I did not see that when I parked.
should I dispute using both arguments or just #1.
Thank you in advance for your advice!!
Joe,
The wrong place of occurrence is a good defense. Raise this argument.
Matthew Weiss
Mr. Weiss –
I was parked at a muni-meter area getting directions from my GPS on the corner of the block. As I looked up I saw a ticket agent talking to a pedestrian. She walked over to me and handed me a ticket. I said, “What is this for?” She answered, “You was not in your car.” I stated, “I have been in my car all along.” She repeated herself and said she was over there, pointing two cars away. She walked away. How do I fight he said, she said incident? The ticket was not hand written and the violation code is incorrect. It states, 4-08(h)(10)(ii). That violation statute does not exist with (ii) at the end. Can this be grounds for dismissal? Plus she put my parking address two building off as oppose to my direct location because she was standing two doors away from my car when she wrote the ticket.
Thank you.
Elsie,
These all sound like great things to raise in your defense. Definitely plead not guilty. Get photos to show the wrong location and bring a copy of the ticket and statute showing it was incorrectly written.
Good luck!
Matthew Weiss
Hi Matthew.
I got two tickets yesterday – “Insp Stkr Mutilated” and “Impropr Dsply of Reg Stcker.” I recently had my cracked windshield replaced and they restuck the registration and inspection stickers on the windshield but with the humidity yesterday they fell off onto my dashboard. My inspection ticket is not mutilated or torn (that’s what was written in comments). It is just curled at the edges because of the humidity. Someone (a friend, not a NY traffic ticket lawyer like you!) told me if I fix it within 24 hours of the parking summons, I can get this dismissed. i couldn’t find info on this but did read online that i can tape the stickers to my windshield which i have already done. can i get these tickets dismissed? how do i demonstrate that i’ve already fixed it. and since the sticker is not torn, is that enough info to fight the ticket?
also what does “no driver no permit no activity” mean? this was written in the comments along with “sticker on dash” and “sticker torn.”
Thank you so much for your help!!
Patty
Patty,
Since you actually had a sticker, you should be able to present proof of same and get this ticket dismissed.
Good luck!
Matthew Weiss
Hi,
I received a ticket for a 1160a violation (improper right turn). I was driving south on 5th avenue near 85th street in the middle lane, because the right lane is a “busses only” lane at that time. I turned right at 85th street and was stopped by two officers waiting on scooters. They stopped me and the car behind me who did the same thing.
The posted signs for “busses only” in the right lane makes illegal to drive in the right lane and make it practical to turn right from near the middle lane. Is this a valid reason for dismissal?
Also, the date of expiration of my licence is in error, listed as my birthdate instead.
Plus, the “description/narrative” section is filled out, but illegible.
This violation is 2 points.
What should I do?
Thank you.
Will,
Answers in bold below:
The posted signs for “busses only” in the right lane makes illegal to drive in the right lane and make it practical to turn right from near the middle lane. Is this a valid reason for dismissal? Not a valid defense.
Also, the date of expiration of my licence is in error, listed as my birthdate instead. Does not render your ticket fatally defective.
Plus, the “description/narrative” section is filled out, but illegible. Does not render your ticket fatally defective.
Matthew Weiss
Mr Weiss,
I received a fine for parking in a No Standing 7am-7pm zone. The No Standing sign is new, since we used to be able to park in that spot with no problem. The fine is $115. For a No Standing citation, do the traffic authorities have to note the “First Observed” time on the ticket? It was left blank on mine. Id like to fight this ticket, or at the least, get the fine reduced.
Thank you!
Michael,
The “First Observed” box is irrelevant to your charge or “No Standing” (as long as the time of the offense is written on your ticket).
Matthew Weiss
I went to pay a ticket online which is over due, and a pop up opened and it read Violation entered has been flagged as deleted. (error code: PB 101) Should I continue to try and pay it or consider myself lucky.
Lindsey,
Sounds like you got lucky.
Matthew Weiss
I received a parking ticket because it was a street cleaning time from 8-9:30pm. The ticket was written with the address “Front of 100 Riverside Drive,” however, the car was parked at 100 Riverside Blvd (which is 20 blocks south). Is this wrong address a reason to dispute the ticket?
Thank you!
Mollie,
The wrong street address is a valid defense. You will need photos of the area showing the street address to possibly beat this case.
Good luck proving this error.
Matthew Weiss
Hi,
I received a $60 NYC parking ticket. I went online to pay it and typed in my plate number but there was no ticket shown. Then I tried with ticket number and realized that my plate number is wrong. My plate number’s last 3 digits are “ESX” but it is written as “E8X” on ticket. I can’t see any VIN# on ticket as well. If I don’t pay the ticket, will I have problem in future? Is the ticket issued to plate# or VIN#?
Thanks
Sam
Sam,
Was the ticket issued to the wrong plate? If so, then you apparently do not have to worry about this ticket.
Matthew Weiss
Hi Matthew,
I recently received a hand written ticket for NO PARKING on a Sunday. I was parked downtown in Manhattan. On my copy of the ticket, the only violation filled in is for No Parking SCR (code 21). The bubble for the fine was filled in for “all other areas” (as opposed to Manhattan 96th St and below, where I was actually parked). No violation code was circled. I finally was able to find the ticket online and the image online is different from my copy: it has a circle around code 20 and there is a large dark mark between the two fine bubbles for codes 20 and 21, both bubbles for “all other areas”. It seems that maybe the ticket was changed after being issued?
Can I fight this ticket on the basis that it is defective because the wrong fine is marked. Or would the judge make me pay the higher fine? Alternatively, can I argue that there is fraud because the ticket seems to have been changed after being issued? I originally had planned on fighting it based on the fact that it was for street cleaning rules, which were suspended on that Sunday, and generally most Sundays.
Finally, do you recommend that I fight this by mail, online, or in person?
Thanks in advance,
DE
The wrong fine and amendment are not grounds for dismissal. If the no parking rules were not in effect for some reason at the time of your ticket, then this is a valid argument. Fighting in person is best in my opinion but, unless you have a strong argument, I wouldn’t bother appearing in court.
Matthew Weiss
I live out of state and i came to ny to visit a friend. After my visit, I found out ihat I got a ticket for parking in a alternate side parking zone. I have no clue what that means. I’m from Florida where you could literaly park anywhere that isn’t a body of water. Should I fight the ticket? Thanks in advance.
BL,
Nothing that you write suggests to me that you can win if you fight this ticket.
Matthew Weiss
I received a ticket for Failure to Dsply Muni Receipt. The ticket itself has many flaws, wrong color of car, says plates are commercial and they’re passenger, ticket indicates no VIN number. Is it possible to get it dismissed on the fact that the ticket itself is fatally defective?
Fran,
Yes, it is possible based on the wrong color and plate type (but not the wrong VIN).
Matthew Weiss
HI,
I received a ticket for “No standing bus stop” the sign I was parked next to read ” No parking Tues and Thursdays” and the Bus stop on the corner read”No standing” I felt it was ok since it was Wednesday. As I parked my car, I looked for any indication that I could be parking illegally. I saw no sign stating “No Parking from here to corner” or yellow curb as we have in New Jersey.
If I fight this, with all the photos I have (Even the bus stop ..60 feet away from my car sign stating “NO Standing”) proving there is no posting telling me I can’t park there….will I beat the ticket OR am I wasting more money and time because New York Parking is know for being unreasonable?
A. Jefferson
A Jefferson,
It’s hard to tell without knowing where the signs were located vis-a-vis your car. However, with that said, you cannot parking in a “no standing” zone.
Matthew Weiss
Hello!
First, thank you so much for this site! I just moved here yesterday so I appreciate any help I can receive from you! First, this street is not a permit parking street and; Second, I have a PA License Plate. I received a ticket at 4:55pm for being 9ft away from a hydrant; in researching it seems the regulation is 15ft. If so, I understand why I received a ticket – Even though I asked NYPD that passed on the street right after I parked if I was okay there AND there are other vehicles that were parked within 5 feet of a hydrant further down the street. I am wondering if I am able to contest for other reasons:
1) “Permit Displayed”, “Exp Date”, “Plate Type” “Year” are all marked “N/S”
2) “Permit Number”, “Type”, “Date/Time 1 Observed” are all marked “N/A”
3) Complainant’s Comments read: “No Driver No Permit”
Are any of these items something I may use to contest this ticket? I’m a student that just moved from out of state so this ticket came at a horrible time! Thanks so much in advance for any advice/help you have to help me with this ticket!
Sherly,
Thanks for your kind remarks about the site and my helpful responses. Because the ticket is for parking too close to a fire hydrant, your defenses regarding the permits are not going to help (in my opinion).
Matthew Weiss
i had a car that was repossess on may 03 2012 but i saw 2 tickets registered to my plate for no cleaning and double parking on may 09 2012 & may 16 2012 respectively how do i fight these tickets?
Vincent,
You should plead not guilty and show proof of the repossession and its timing vis-a-vis the dates of the parking tickets.
Good luck!
Matthew Weiss
Friend received “Overtime Meter” parking ticket. The Meter # appears on ticket however the “Location” reads “MAIN ST”. Must a specific address number be included on the ticket?
Linda,
This is a good argument. The street number on Main Street should have been provided. I would raise it in defense of this ticket.
Matthew Weiss
hello
1) i got a parking ticket at no parking from 11:30-1:00 for cleaning. the ticket was issued at 11:58. i had just parked there to get my kids ready and then leave. i was just parked there for maybe 15 minutes. is there anyway i can fight this off?
2) got a parking ticket for expired munimeter. i was at the house of worship and got delayed helping someones grandma into their car. is there any way i can fight this?
thank you for your time.
Mohamad,
Nothing that you’ve written suggests to me that you can win beat these cases.
Matthew Weiss
I parked my Canadian plated car in NYC and got a street cleaning fine, but the state listed for my licence plate was Rhode Island. Otherwise all info was correct. I would not be able to drive 15 hours back to NYC to contest the ticket, what should I do?
Bkca,
You can contest it via mail. Good luck!
Matthew Weiss
Hello Matthew,
I received a hand written double parking ticket. The officer failed to fill out the body type and checked “other” for make instead of Honda. I am a NYC resident and my car is registered in NYC. Can these two items be a good defense to use to throw the ticket out? If so how can i word it in a letter?
Thank You in advance!
Ed
Ed,
Yes, these two items are viable defense.
Good luck!
Matthew Weiss
Hi Matthew,
First, I just want to say thank you for this site and all the free advice you offer. I honestly wish I found your site (as well as Larry Berezin’s) years earlier; it would have saved me a ton of money (stress, and hair!) when I used to always get tickets in my teenage years! With age, however, just comes more tickets it seems 🙁
I received a parking ticket for an expired muni meter (vc 37), even though I paid the muni meter from 2:40pm-3:40pm. However the time first observed, and the time of offense are almost an hour apart. On the ticket, the time 1st observed = 2:09pm (which at this time I probably didn’t even leave my house yet!), and the time of offense =3:00pm. Under the complainants comments it also says “no permit displayed”, and “1st obs is muni meter exp”. I don’t understand the no permit displayed comment as it was regular street parking that required just a muni meter receipt (and well, I just don’t understand why I even got a ticket in general! )
I’ve tried to dispute so many tickets where I legally did nothing wrong but always seemed to be found guilty anyways. Do you think I have a chance of winning this one? (crossing fingers)
Thank you!
Tiffany,
Thank you for your kind words. Based on what you wrote, you should win. Make sure you include the Muni Meter receipt in your not guilty submission or at your hearing.
Matthew Weiss
Hello,
So i received a ticket for no plate light 381-1(2) and a no eye protection 381-7. I was on a motorcycle and I was pulled over and given these tickets after a thorough inspection from the officers. I was wondering the severity of these tickets? If these tickets carry any points toward my license. and If its cost effective to hire an attorney to fight this ticket?. Thank you
Brady,
I’m pretty sure that these tickets do not carry points. When you check the online system, you can verify this information. If they don’t carry points, then I wouldn’t hire a traffic lawyer.
Matthew Weiss
Thank you for your respond. I don’t know how to go to 53 Monroe street in Kings County to take a picture. I was never there. The ticket agent wrote the wrong “County”. He wrote “Front of 53 Monroe Street, Kings County” instead of “Front of 53 Monroe Street, NY County”. How should I explain to the Judge that the ticket is defective?
Connie,
Use a GPS to find that location. You explain it just like you wrote it up on this blog.
Good luck!
Matthew Weiss
Hi, I received a ticket for cell phone use. I was not texting just using my GPS because i live in the bronx and not very familiar with BK and the phone wasn’t in my hand but hooked up to a holder in the car. When the officer stopped me he wasn’t trying to hear it (which doesn’t surprise me since they have quotas to meet). Then when I went online to the violation number on the ticket was different from the one posted on TVB. The only reason I was able to find it was because of my license number. Can I fight this? if yes, how? Please advise.
Mouye,
You can of course fight it (although I’m not sure that these issues you raise in your post will help).
Matthew Weiss
I got a parking ticket in Manhattan “No Parking” zone on Sunday. But the ticket agent wrote in The Place Of Occurrence “Front of 53 Monroe Street, Kings County” where has parking sign – No Parking 9am to 10.30 am, Monday/ Thursday according to DOT’s Parking Map, and parking on Sunday is legal. How can I convince the judge that I am not guilty because I can’t take picture from the Map?
Connie,
You can convince the judge with photographs of the area and signage (make sure the 53 Monroe Street address is invisible in one ore more of the photos.
Matthew Weiss
First, I would like to thank you and show appreciation by letting you know that it is very noble of you to answer all of the comments left to you.
I wanted to know if I received a ticket for failure to display mini rec, if the following mistakes are valid in my defense.
1. The make on my registration says LA/RO for Land Rover Range Rover however the ticket has LA/R
2. The color is written on the ticket and registration as BK.. I see sample tickets online that have black abbreviated as blk so is bk acceptable?
3. Body type is Subn on both ticket and registration however I have seen SUV on sample tickets, on my insurance it says I have a SUV can I use the fact it is a SUV for my defense?
Thanks in advance.. If you have any other suggestions on how to beat the ticket (I’m out of the 5 minute grace period) I’m welcome to suggestions : )
Lia,
Thanks for your kind comments. Answers in bold.
1. The make on my registration says LA/RO for Land Rover Range Rover however the ticket has LA/R. That is likely not a strong point but, if you fight this ticket, I would make the argument.
2. The color is written on the ticket and registration as BK.. I see sample tickets online that have black abbreviated as blk so is bk acceptable? I would think BK is fine. What other color ould it mean?
3. Body type is Subn on both ticket and registration however I have seen SUV on sample tickets, on my insurance it says I have a SUV can I use the fact it is a SUV for my defense? Again, that is likely not a strong point but, if you fight this ticket, I would make the argument.
Matthew Weiss
I have two questions.
1- if a no standing ticket is missing the make of the car and the expiration date of the registration…..but says…drive off….(which is not true)…is the ticket dismissible?? and how can that be presented to the DOF…especially if they have been oh, my gd, hounding and attacking….and seemingly looking for any reason to pound me….and they did this while I was trying to submit the appeal…for another ticket…which is the next question.
2- if I have a valid muni receipt that was not submitted in the first hearing because of another receipt that was submitted on the 5 minute grace period (but mentioned in the original hearing)….and the hearing not being done by me….will the appeal accept the completely valid receipt which would dismiss the ticket?? and if the appeal was mailed on the 29th day with postage saying so, and they didn’t receipt it until the 33rd day….will they still accept the appeal and if they deny it, what would be my next step, beside screaming …so that everyone on this earth can hear me….(which I think I already did once)…but obviously not loud enough…..thanks…
I would like to send you a copy of the appeal….but I don’t think you would be interested in it….and sorry for any words of infuriation.
C.
I would argue that the ticket is fatally defective given these omissions. Also, if you have a valid muni meter receipt that exonerates you, I would use it in defense of the ticket.
Matthew Weiss
Hi, good information. Thanks for answering all the comments.
I received two tickets this week on my parked motorcycle for “Inspection Sticker Missing”. There is an inspection sticker on the bike, but it is expired. Are missing inspection sticker and expired inspection two separate violations? Can I make the argument that albeit expired, the sticker is still present? Or do these two violations fall under the same section? Thank you in advance for your response.
Alex,
Thank for your kind remarks.
That’s a weak argument in my opinion especially since you essentially did not have a valid inspection at the time of the ticket’s issuance. With that said, don’t let me discourage you from fighting this ticket.
Matthew Weiss
Hi Matt,
I have a ticket for failing to display a muni-meter ticket. It was written at 3:53 P.M., and I have a meter receipt showing i bought a ticket at 3:56. How would i explain to a judge the 5-minute grace period rule in NY to get out of this ticket?
Also, the officer had written my VIN # wrong- he had wrote “6905” when my VIN is actually “69505.” Is this enough for it to get thrown out? Thank you.
Alex Russo,
You don’t need to explain the discrepancy. By law, you are entitled to a 5-minute grace so that ticket will be dismissed upon production of a valid Muni Meter receipt.
The wrong the VIN number is not a valid defense to a NYC parking ticket.
Matthew Weiss
I recently purchased a brand new vehicle which was transferred from California to NY, the vehicle did not have a front license plate holder and the bumper did not have any drill holes. I’m assuming, California state laws do not require the front license plate to be shown. I recently received a parking ticket for ‘improperly displayed plates’ where the officer issuing the ticket wrote ‘plate on dash’ in the comment section. My question is, is there a grace period as to when a newly purchased vehicle is required to have a license plate attached in the front?
I have 2 possible defenses as i have been using a front and rear bumper protector which covers the front license plate area. Is there a chance for dismissal if i were to claim i removed the plate and placed it on the dashboard to avoid obstructing its view by the bumper protector? In reality, the bumper protector really does block view of the plate area.
My 2nd defense is that i did not receive plate holders/frame from the dealership along with official vehicle registration until after i received the ticket, which in reality is also true. How can i defend myself from this worthless ticket, NY state traffic laws are beyond ridiculous in every aspect.
James,
Under New York law, you had 10 days to re-register your car. So I would guess that you had a 10-day grace period. If you are within this time period, then I would make the argument.
The “bumper protector” and the “I did not receive plate holders” defenses likely will not be successful.
Good luck!
Matthew Weiss
I got a ticket today in violation of 4-08e3, I don’t really understand the complaint written: no driver/activity/permit/summons. The date/time 1st observed box says N/A. I’m not sure if N/A is considered proper in my case. I did notice that both tires on one side of my car were touching/a little over on the curb but the violation still does not make sense to me. I saw the car right behind me and in the same read had their tires on the curb too and they got a ticket also, but just not sure if they are the same violation. Do I have a strong defence while the date/time 1st observed is N/A?
Von
That omission is not a valid defense to most parking violation including your charge of no stopping on a sidewalk (4-08e3).
Matthew Weiss
Hello,
My car wasn’t’t starting this morning so I could not move the car for the 7-10 am no standing. I just got the battery changed today and got the receipt for the repairs from the garage. I was sitting in the car googling on my phone to find tips how to start the car while I got the no standing ticket. Do you think I can fight it if I send the repair receipts which is dated on the same day of the offense?
Thanks.
Arslan,
That may help. No guarantees but mechanical failure is often accepted as a valid defense.
Good luck!
Matthew Weiss
Hi Matthew!
The traffic warrior wrote just the last 6 digits of my car’s vin number.
Can I plead not guilty for defective vin #?
Thanks!!!
Blake
Blake,
The VIN number is not one of the required elements. Read my article again for the required elements.
Matthew Weiss
Safety zone
Hello, I just got a safety zone parking ticket. Actually just a small part of my vehicle was along side of the line but the address that the officer entered shows as end of the block which is beyond the line and it’s ok to park there.
Unfortunately I saw the ticket after moving my car because the officer did a good job of hiding it underneath my wipers.
I did take picture of the sign showing the no parking for Thursday 9-11:30AM, my ticket was issued Tuesday.
There were also other vehicles parked there that were completely along side the safety zone when I was barely touching the line.
Is the fact that the address on the ticket shows that I wasn’t on the line completly enough to fight this? Also safety zones have no sign? The only sign that was there was for cleaning on Thursday and people park there all the time.
Thank you in advance
David,
It doesn’t sound like you have a strong defense. With that said, you have little to lose by trying to fight it.
Good luck!
Matthew Weiss
Hi,
I am currently facing quite a few parking tickets (7) and have checked them for errors. I found that one has the wrong license plate number, one has the wrong make (says VOLV but should say VOLK), and one has the wrong body type (says 4DSD when all of the others say SUBN; it is a Volkswagen Tiguan SUV). Do you think I can get these three tickets dismissed?
Thanks,
Melissa
Melissa,
These are good arguments to make. Plead not guilty and make them.
Good luck!
Matthew Weiss
Hi,
I was moving my car back after street sweeping. I saw an officer coming close behind my car as I was moving it. He stopped where my car had been. I got out and spoke to him after taking a picture of my car legally parked at 9:36 (62 Street name). He wrote the time as 9:36 on the ticket, and I have pictures of him handing me the ticket right outside of his mini police vehicle at 9:40. Therefore, I was with my car at the time of the ticket writing, and was not double parked; still the ticket was issued. My car therefore was also not out front of the ticket specified address (57 Street name) at 9:36 so that is inaccurate on the ticket.
He said he started writing so he could not undo it. Under the State section he wrote out Maryland across the bubbles, but did not write in the two letter abbreviation in the proper “Other” section for State plates.
Do I have any legitimate defense?
Scott,
It does not sound like you have a valid defense. With that said, you have little to lose if you fight the ticket.
Good luck!
Matthew Weiss
Hi. I received a ticket for Violation 21 – No parking street cleaning 8:30am-9:00am | Except Sunday. The funny thing was that there were multiple vehicles parked during this time, I was there in my car from 8:20am park near all these vehicles. I left my car at 8:45am to walk one street down for a meeting at a SS office and when I returned I was ticketed. I paid a Muni Meter from 8:42am which is valid to expire at 11:00am. The traffic agent ticketed my car at 8:49am, he must have been waiting to give me that. I have kept the ticket and photos of my car with multiple vehicles nearby. Do you think I’ll be able to fight this ticket and send in the documents I have, including a copy of my letter of meeting purpose? I don’t want to pay $45 for a $2 meter when other vehicles were not ticketed.
Thanks for your help!
Miranda,
The fact that other vehicles were not ticketed is not a valid defense.
Matthew Weiss