Non-resident contesting a $100 snow emergency ticket due to financial hardship?

[tooffdk.livejournal.com]

Hey all,

I live in Hyde Park and was visiting a sick friend last Saturday evening in Somerville. I came back to my car to discover a $100 snow emergency ticket.

I am aware of the policy of towing and ticketing cars, but I really didn't know there was a snow emergency declared that night (as I don't live in Somerville, and why would I sign up for alerts for a town I was in for 2 hours, visiting a pal?).

I've been absolutely devastated and anxiety-ridden at the thought of spending $100 on this ticket. Like many people, I am under severe financial hardship.

Anyway, my question is, does anyone think I'd have a shot at contesting this ticket? I'm really not trying to whine about the city policies, but 1. I honestly had no idea there was a snow emergency declared 2. I'm from out of town (MI license plates) 3. It will be EXTREMELY difficult for me to cough up $100 to pay this fine.

Comments

[knowthyself.livejournal.com]

You can try, but I doubt they'll budge. They may give you an extension on when the payment is due.

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

I think you'd have a better shot at convincing your friend who failed to tell you there was a snow emergency to pay it.

[ceo]

For future reference, there are blue blinky lights at major intersections near city borders, that come on when there's a snow emergency.

[sonofabish.livejournal.com]

I'm curious- were the text messages sent out? I never got any. No biggie- I was out of town, but still, if there's a problem, I'd like to resolve it before the next storm.

With the city budget in disarray...

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

They're are going to try to get each dime they can. Especially from non-residents! On the other hand, Obama did not pay for decades! :)

[blondeamazon.livejournal.com]

Umm, this may be bad advice, but don't pay it. You aren't registered in MA and the last I knew, though admitedly this could have changed, most of the states aren't linked up and you car is registered et all in another state. Up to you of course.

Never hurts to ask.

[mistresshellena.livejournal.com]

I'd say that it's worth contesting. You are guaranteed to have to pay it if you *don't* contest/appeal, so it seems to make sense to at least try.

[imvfd.livejournal.com]

It is extremely unlikely that you can have a ticket like that annulled, especially since it was a snow emergency. However, you might be able to spread out the payments over time. While this is not an official position, if you send in a partial payment, my experience has been that the "pay within 30 days" clock gets reset. Granted, last time I tried this was about two years ago but worth a shot. It's not like they'll charge you a higher late fee and the impact of having to making two $50 payments (or what have you) is certainly less than one of $100.

More bad news...

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

You say you live in Hyde Park and have your car registered out of state-- if the RMV notices that, you're in trouble. You're supposed to register & insure it where you live within 30 days of moving. And they are pretty serious about that, although plenty of people do get away with registering in NH and living/parking in MA.