Parking Ticket After Enforcement Hours (Arlington: attorney, inspection, living in)

[seachelleshore]

I live in Pentagon City. My boyfriend came to visit me today, and he parked in a multi-space meter that says it is enforced Monday-Friday 8 AM - 6 PM. Needless to say, we were very surprised that he was issued a parking ticket at 5:07 PM today (a Saturday), for not displaying a paid receipt. Before anyone asks, I compared all of the information on the ticket with the meter. The information matches up (we are looking at the correct meter), and the meter clearly states that parking is not enforced after 6 PM on Fridays. Has anyone ever had this happen? There were quite a few cars using that same meter that also had tickets. We are more than willing to appeal this, but this seems pretty unnecessary since the ticket is clearly erroneous. Is there someone we can contact and avoid court, or is court the only way to go? I would also appreciate any other advice you have on appealing tickets. Thanks in advance for the help.

[johnsonkk]

Originally Posted by seachelleshore

I live in Pentagon City. My boyfriend came to visit me today, and he parked in a multi-space meter that says it is enforced Monday-Friday 8 AM - 6 PM. Needless to say, we were very surprised that he was issued a parking ticket at 5:07 PM today (a Saturday), for not displaying a paid receipt. Before anyone asks, I compared all of the information on the ticket with the meter. The information matches up (we are looking at the correct meter), and the meter clearly states that parking is not enforced after 6 PM on Fridays. Has anyone ever had this happen? There were quite a few cars using that same meter that also had tickets. We are more than willing to appeal this, but this seems pretty unnecessary since the ticket is clearly erroneous. Is there someone we can contact and avoid court, or is court the only way to go? I would also appreciate any other advice you have on appealing tickets. Thanks in advance for the help.

You said it seems unnecessary to appeal because it's a "bogus" ticket. You can file a written appeal within 30 days and based on what you wrote here, you should win. Won't take that long to write a quick summary.

[boyd888]

You can try to go to the Arlington County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office at 1425 N. Courthouse Road, Suite 5200, Arlington, VA 22201. Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm. They dismiss fix it tickets like expired inspection, state tags, etc so you might have some luck there if they let you submit an appeal or look at the ticket, otherwise you will need to request a court date. Since it was erroneous they might do you a favor...be nice when you go in not guns blazing and angry.

Going to court isn't worth it in your case as you have to pay $65 in court costs (plus the ticket) if you lose, which is probably more than the ticket itself.

http://police.arlingtonva.us/parking...icket-appeals/

Originally Posted by johnsonkk

You can file a written appeal within 30 days and based on what you wrote here, you should win.

Pretty sure Arlington County has no such system. You can try your luck at the office at the Courthouse, but they can tell you to go get a court date.

[gomason]

You're sure that it was Monday-Friday? I dont know that I have ever seen a paid parking spot only Monday-Friday in Arlington. It's pretty much always Monday-Saturday.

[TheWatchmen]

Originally Posted by gomason

You're sure that it was Monday-Friday? I dont know that I have ever seen a paid parking spot only Monday-Friday in Arlington. It's pretty much always Monday-Saturday.

This. This is what I remember from several years ago even, living in Arlington.

Paying for Parking - Transportation


Parking Meter Rates & Hours

Number of Meters: More than 5,300
New Maximum Rates Effective September 7
Rate at Long-Term Meters: $1.25 per hour
Rate at Short-Term Meters: $1.50 per hour
Hours of Enforcement: In most areas Mon.-Sat., 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; parking on evenings, Sundays and major holidays is free

[boyd888]

The spots immediately around the pentagon city mall area (joyce, hayes, fern) that use the pay boxes (not meters) are only until 6p Friday unless they have changed in the past month. Good place to park if you are heading into DC on a Saturdy. Always thought that was weird though so I wouldn't be surprised if they changed it.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by boyd888

The spots immediately around the pentagon city mall area (joyce, hayes, fern) that use the pay boxes (not meters) are only until 6p Friday unless they have changed in the past month. Good place to park if you are heading into DC on a Saturdy. Always thought that was weird though so I wouldn't be surprised if they changed it.

I use those spots all the time on Friday and Saturday nights when metroing into DC. I'm very familiar with the spots on Hayes OP is referring to. The last time I looked, that space was free parking Saturday Sunday and holidays. Definitely worth an appeal if that remained the same on the meter.

[guineamom]

Happened to me, not in Arlington but in Annapolis.We took a picture of the sign displaying the time for paid vs free parking. We then mailed in the parking fine payment together with the pic and an explanation of why we thought we should not be fined. They never cashed the check and sent us a letter back saying it was a mistake. Good luck.