Appealing tickets: mail or in person?

[phoenixy.livejournal.com]

Yes it is a post on this community's very favorite topic: parking tickets!

I got a ticket for parking without a permit in a permit parking only zone despite the fact that my temporary residential permit was clearly displayed. I have pretty good documentation (the rental car permit contains all the identifying facts of the car and the dates when it is valid and it is easy to photocopy and mail to the parking department). I have heard that it's harder to succeed with appeals by mail. Is that true? Appealing by mail would certainly be more convenient. Would I really be better off appealing in person? Thanks!

Comments

[phoenixy.livejournal.com]

Oh, I should have specified: this is in Somerville

[emcicle.livejournal.com]

i know you said somerville, so my answer may not be applicable, but in Cambridge (still Davis Square), when friends have gotten tickets when we had the visitors permit, we have sent the ticket back by mail with a note saying "this ticket was given in error, the owner of this car was using our permit, #(insert number)" then signed our name and address. As far as I know from my friends, this has solved the problem.

again, i have no idea if this will work in Somerville.

[oneagain.livejournal.com]

I have disputed tickets by mail before and have won. I suggest trying that first, since it isn't too much hassle. If it doesn't work, then you can worry about it.

[lissie930.livejournal.com]

I got a ticket using a temporary permit because I'd parked using it longer than 2 (or 3?) days. I'd never read the back, and there is a limit on how long you can park with the permit! (http://www.somervillema.gov/section.cfm?org=traffic&page=138) They did agree to reverse the ticket when I called (and rightly chastized me for being pissy).

[phoenixy.livejournal.com]

Right, but this is a 21-day temporary residential rental car permit, not a 2-day visitor parking permit.

You can challenge tickets over the phone?? This is an avenue I hadn't known of.

[julishka.livejournal.com]

technically you still have to move your car after 2 days even as a resident. usually, though, one is only ticketed for that if someone complains (and that offense would be clearly marked on the ticket).

i've only challenged tickets in person since they tend to be of a certain issue unique to my street, and i like to know that these things have been taken care of. i bring in all my documentation/evidence so that i know the person is seeing what i'm saying.

anyhoo, that's my experience, but i'm local.

if it was a hassle to get to traffic and parking office on holland street, i might go the mail route and promptly so - leaving plenty of time to then appear at the scheduled hearing should they deny my appeal.

Go there

[glen-highland.livejournal.com]

I tried appealing by mail and I'm 99% sure they didn't even read my letter before rejecting the appeal with a form letter. I ended up paying the $20.

[ravingwanderer.livejournal.com]

I appealed (by mail) a ticket on a contractor's car ((ab)use of visitor pass for more than two days), since I "had forgotten" about that aspect of it. Since neither he nor I seems to have heard from Parking (3 months after appeal), I assume they forgave it. (I think being relatively new in town, and saying so in the letter, helped. I may not be so lucky next time.)

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

Are you sure the ticket is for parking without a permit? It might be for parking in the same spot for more than two days, which is something enforced on people with Somerville residential stickers and people with visitors' and temporary permits alike.

[phoenixy.livejournal.com]

Yes, I am sure. The comments field says "no sticker/guest card" and the violation description is "permit parking". Also I moved the car every day.

[winterhill.livejournal.com]

I've had success appealing in person. I realize it's a hassle but so is sending the documentation and never hearing back one way or the other. If you can, I say go in.

[lena-a-mermaid.livejournal.com]

I believe you have to make an appointment for the in person appeal. I don't think they take walk ins. So don't go in person without checking with them first. If your mail in appeal is denied, you can always ask for an appointment.

[phoenixy.livejournal.com]

Thank you all. I mailed my appeal today and if they reject it I will make an appointment!

Followup

[phoenixy.livejournal.com]

Followup for those who care:

I mailed my appeal. After six weeks I didn't hear anything back, so I called 311 and they transferred me directly to a hearing officer. I explained my case to her and she dismissed the ticket. Easy as pie!