Appealing a Parking Ticket

[glen-highland.livejournal.com]

My appeal of a bogus parking ticket was denied. 311 just told me that there is no other way to appeal it further and that it would need to go to the court system. Is this really true? (I have previously read posts on this forum where people suggest "you should appeal it again", etc..)
Thanks, Glen

Comments

[grapefruiteater.livejournal.com]

I know that Somerville is strict about parking AT a meter—your car has to line up with the meter you're using. It could be that you got a meter violation for not being properly lined up with a meter if you were that close to one. It's hard to say without seeing the spaces in question.

[glen-highland.livejournal.com]

The spot was on Broadway between Citizens bank and the Winter Hill post office branch. My spot actually had a meter "stump" where there must have been a meter at some point. I certainly could have voluntarily pulled up to the actual meter and paid it, but I opted to park where there was no meter and leaving plenty of room for another car to line up with the meter.

I really appreciate all of the comments. The whole thing sounds like a real poo-storm into which I may not want to get involved. I may just have to cool off for a few days and write the check.

[violet-helix.livejournal.com]

I would think this would be considered a REALLY broken meter. What is Somerville's policy on parking at a non-functional meter? I know in Boston there is a one hour limit at broken meters.

[glen-highland.livejournal.com]

Yeah, to clarify, it wasn't a headless meter pole or anything, just the clear outline of where there had once been a pole in the cement, cut flush with the sidewalk.

[qwrrty.livejournal.com]

I agree with the other commenters on this point: I would try to find out whether the city has a policy of parking at a broken meter and what that policy is. You may still not be at fault.