This was a parking space where I had parked many times before, sometimes for as long as a week and a half at a time, without a ticket. I have seen other cars parked there without a ticket. I even asked a police officer once, and he said that to the best of his knowledge, it was a legal spot. The parking signs on the block are very ambiguous.
Unwilling to simplly pay the fine, I wrote a letter formally requesting a hearing. I recieved notice back that my hearing would be on September 23rd. Six months away! I hope I don't forget about it, I thought.
Well, yesterday I went back to the parking space. Drew a sketch of the street with the locations of the parking signs. I took pictures of the space, including the car currently sitting there without a ticket.
I have a court date today. Wish me luck.
(Let's see. $0.37 for the stamp on the letter. $3.74 to get the pictures printed. $1.30 for the bus token back (I intend to walk there). Wonder if I can counter-sue the city for my costs, equal to 22% of the original fine...)
Oh, yeah, and they offered me one hour of free parking at the courthouse. One hour. There's no way they'll even hear my case on time, right? That just seems like they're baiting me into another ticket...
