http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/ Tickets for improper parking as well as issues with the towing and impound of vehicles. en Sun, 19 May 2013 15:28:11 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/images/misc/rss.png http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/ http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158620&goto=newpost Sun, 19 May 2013 05:12:58 GMT My question involves a traffic citation from the state of: Colorado. On 5/14, I noticed a green sticker on my windshield that is typical for a... My question involves a traffic citation from the state of: Colorado.

On 5/14, I noticed a green sticker on my windshield that is typical for a warning that you will be towed. However, there was no markings on the sticker, i.e. reason for tag, date left, day to be towed. Another car next to me had been tagged also, but there was information about expired tags and the date. Since I have current tags and there wasn't any information on the sticker, I assumed it had been placed by mistake.

On 5/17, my car was towed and I went to the apartment complex manager who told me it had been towed for expired tags, and when I showed her the receipt for my paid registration, she said I had to address it with the towing company. The gentleman I spoke with on the phone said that they would never tag a car and not write anything on it and didn't believe me otherwise (they work in an office away from the impound and could not go look at my vehicle).

I paid $236.75 to get my car out, but it shouldn't have ever been towed for the reasons that they gave. What's more, the car next to mine with the detailed towing sticker was never towed! Is any party responsible for reimbursing me? I have taken pictures of everything and have receipts.

Thanks. ]]> Parking, Towing and Impound Wildseed1388 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158620 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158608&goto=newpost Sat, 18 May 2013 20:21:20 GMT April 2013-Traveled from Texas to Ok. for job interview. Pulled into the hotel I was to stay in. Pulled up to the lobby door area, which is covered... April 2013-Traveled from Texas to Ok. for job interview. Pulled into the hotel I was to stay in. Pulled up to the lobby door area, which is covered by an overhead canopy. (Many hotels park their vans in this area-this hotel had no van) I waited for my friend who is local. He was late and I sat in the car on the phone for 30 mins. Finally he called and suggested we eat at the McDonalds next door-maybe 30 yards away. I was parked under the canopy, on the outer part (not up close to the front door) The Canopy area allows for 2 cars to pass underneath-from either direction. I was not blocking the driveway. I re-parked my car about a foot closer to the outer curb of the canopy area to be sure I wasn't blocking. I walked next door to McDonalds, waited 20 mins for my friend. We ate and got caught up on my trip, my interview etc. I was gone a total of 90 minutes. Return-the car is towed. I searched the parking lot-NOT A SINGLE NO PARKING SIGN. No warning signs, no tow away zone, no pickup/ delivery only signs, no painted red curb, nothing. I contacted the tow co. immediately, they won't release my car because I didn't have the TITLE??? (Who leaves the title in their car on out of state business trip)I volunteered to sign an avadavit of ownership-they refused. Fees are now in the hundreds. Can they get away with this? ]]> Parking, Towing and Impound jerseycheesesteak http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158608 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158582&goto=newpost Sat, 18 May 2013 07:56:06 GMT Thanks in advance for anyone's guidance and suggestions.

The situation is this: Motorcycle stolen in 2009, reported to a sheriffs department. Vehicle was recovered by a different law enforcement agency in a neighboring county in late 2012. The locating police department notified the original reporting agency (sheriff) via the a statewide stolen vehicle reporting system and placed the vehicle in commercial storage. The recovering police department did not notify me of the recovery, nor did the original reporting agency. I learned of the recovery from a District Attorney's office which sent me a form letter regarding possible restitution, but not referencing precisely what the crime was that entitled me to compensation. Subsequent to calling the DA's office, only then did I learn that the vehicle was recovered, approximately 35 days after the vehicle was stored.

The total storage cost was approximately $1,500. The recovering agency claims the original reporting agency (sheriff) should have notified me, but failed to do so. The sheriff's office, on the other hand, claims the recovering police department had the responsibility. California vehicle code contains language regarding "Police Reports" specifically states that the original reporting agency, once notified by the recovering agency, is required to make notification, in the case of stolen vehicle recovery.

What would possibly compel the sheriff's office to argue against both the Police Department, and California Code?

I have since filed a claim against the county - that was denied, no reason given.

I have a small claims court date next month against the county. I have also offered, via email, to convene a teleconference with all parties in an effort to resolve ahead of time - that was literally ignored. In that communication, I suggested that if a settlement isn't reached, I intend to ask for the original storage fee, airfare (I live out of state,) witness and subpoena fees, and incidentals. Is this too much to ask? Is silence in response to a request to settle in advance of the court date something to be expected?

My witness will be a representative from the recovering police department's office.

Any thoughts? Have I left any stones unturned, or am I barking up a wrong tree entirely? ]]> Parking, Towing and Impound Phemmert http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158582 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158509&goto=newpost Thu, 16 May 2013 15:49:09 GMT My question involves a traffic citation from the state of: Maryland Hi, I moved in my apartment complex in january 2013. I did not own a car then... My question involves a traffic citation from the state of: Maryland

Hi, I moved in my apartment complex in january 2013. I did not own a car then and was told if I rent a car I will have to park it on a blank spot, and hang a tag over the mirror so it is visible at all times. Blank spot is the key to the above statement.

Then a couple of weeks back I rented a car for a couple of months. MY leasing company made a big deal about knowing the car registration number and seeing the documents showing that I have rented it in my name for the sake of records. They even took a photocopy of my contract document with the leasing company. I was given a numbered parking spot, which was specifically for this car ( I was told if in the middle of contarct if I have to switch cars with the renting company, I should tell them the new car's registration number so they can upgrade the records). There was no mention of putting up the tag when I park the car on my registered spot. I did not think about it too, because I was told that a tag is required for blank spot, and if they have assigned this parking spot to the car, then they have it on record. However, this morning I woke up to find my car towed, I called the leasing office and they have a team building thing and are closed for the day and I got their voicemail. I needed the car, so paid $150 and got it back. Now I want to hold them responsible for not giving me proper instructions and having me go through all this trouble. Its not like I had two cars, that I am trying to wedge into the parking spot, so I don't have to pay extra parking money. They DID NOT tell me, so the tag was lying on my table and I did not use it. The towing company is half way across the city and it took me 3 hours to get my car back with public transit. It was a lot of trouble for me!

Can I speak with them and ask them to accept responsibility and pay me back the $150, or atleast reduce the next months rent by $150 for me.?

Any suggestions? ]]> Parking, Towing and Impound niha http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158509 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158354&goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 10:23:29 GMT My question involves a traffic citation from the state of: Texas My car got towed from apartment parking spot where I live, which is supposedly HC... My question involves a traffic citation from the state of: Texas
My car got towed from apartment parking spot where I live, which is supposedly HC spot but is very misleading. The parking spot where i parked says "resident" painted on the curb and the HC sign( vertical stand) is next to it , on the left side. There is also a white line dividing the two spots but is faded . It was very misleading as the HC car was parked right in front of the HC vertical stand which left enough space next to it for another car where i was parked, enough to open the door wide too . They said the whole thing is only one HC spot. I tried to explain the tow company that I am a new resident and it was a mistake as the spots are very misleading due to the faded line, the "resident" sign on one side of the curb and the way the HC SUV was parked towards one side leaving enough space next to it. Also the HC sign painted on the ground is towards one side and not in the center of the whole space . I also have a proper parking sticker and it was a mistake and misunderstanding only due to the clearly misleading appearance of the spots. There are oblique white stripes on the exteremes but the other signs are offsetting and not properly defined in the whole space as i explained above. They are charging 225 dollars and not ready to listen. I want to contest this and talk to lawyer, please advice how should i go about it and the right thing to do .
thankyou. ]]> Parking, Towing and Impound nash http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158354 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158313&goto=newpost Sun, 12 May 2013 02:00:37 GMT My question involves a traffic citation from the state of: OH

Ok, here's my concern. I have a grandmother who has a handicap placard.

I took her out to the store the other day and made a stop afterwards. I got a ticket for failure to display the placard. I thought she put it up and she thought I did it.

Now I'm finding that I have to write in to the ticket office. I think it's in my grandma's name and they said to have her sign the letter, and send a copy of placard.

However, here's my dilemma, I'm worried about this not resolving the situation.

First, this has been a lot of trouble, and reading the law about it, I'm worried about getting accused of doing something wrong just for using it, like stopping to do something other than something for the disabled person, even though she was with me, and getting into worse trouble. In short, the amount of trouble I've read about these things, what I've seen reading about it on forums, it's scary. The amount of the ticket is really high. ]]> Parking, Towing and Impound okthisone http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158313 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158240&goto=newpost Fri, 10 May 2013 00:14:35 GMT My question involves traffic court in the State of: Seattle, Washington. I work nights in an area designated as a residential parking zone (RPZ)... My question involves traffic court in the State of: Seattle, Washington. I work nights in an area designated as a residential parking zone (RPZ) from 2am-5am, unfortunately my employer has no off street parking available. I have made numerous attempts to get a permit but because my residence is not in that zone I cannot get a parking permit according to SDOT. Enforcement isn't usually very through and parking on a side street, being curious to the neighbors, etc usually keeps the parking enforcement away. Recently I was caught, parking in the RPZ. I'm not trying to say I didn't do anything wrong but I really feel it is unfair the city won't issue me a permit as I am actively visiting a business in the area. Other cityies sell business permits but Seattle refuses to. Anyways I want to consume some of Seattle's resources and have a hearing. I was charged with 11.72.330 but I believe the correct statue is 11.72.351(a). Is there any defence in claiming that I was charged with the wrong statue?

Thanks for any information you can supply. ]]> Parking, Towing and Impound jjb http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158240 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158020&goto=newpost Fri, 03 May 2013 23:22:24 GMT My question involves towing in the state of Wisconsin. My 1981 motorcycle that I bought two years ago was towed and I tried getting it out of the... My question involves towing in the state of Wisconsin. My 1981 motorcycle that I bought two years ago was towed and I tried getting it out of the lot but I had to get it registered first. I got it registered and went to the tow lot but turns out the title and registration that I have does not have the correct VIN. The VIN that is written on it is the number of an engine to some other motorcycle. I called the tow lot and they gave me the actual VIN that is on the frame.

The lot has dropped all storage and tow fees and will be refunding my money because it technically was never my vehicle.
I am gone for 6 months so I can't physically do anything but my father will be acting on my behalf.
What can I do to get this vehicle that doesn't exist? It's being held for me until I can show a proper title.

Is the previous owner liable for this? ]]> Parking, Towing and Impound wisco http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158020 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157970&goto=newpost Thu, 02 May 2013 00:46:20 GMT My question involves a traffic citation from the state of: California Luckily I caught the tow truck driver before he took off. It still cost me... My question involves a traffic citation from the state of: California

Luckily I caught the tow truck driver before he took off. It still cost me over $200 just to get it back on the spot.

I asked the foreman on the jobsite when he posted the No Parking signs, and he said "Ahh, 48 hours ago, or 72 hours ago. Either 48 or 72." Several people in the neighborhood came out complaining that they couldn't pull out of their driveways because of the paving, and that they hadn't seen any posting the night before. I strongly suspect these guys just threw up a bunch of signs the morning of and went to work, but I can't prove it.

The tow truck driver seemed to empathise with me and suggested I fill out a hearing form at the tow yard. He said he would be questioned during the review and that he would say he noticed many people caught off-guard, and that we had not noticed any signs posted the night before.

Just wondering if anybody has had any experience in anything like this. ]]> Parking, Towing and Impound dboy18 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157970 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157770&goto=newpost Fri, 26 Apr 2013 20:01:00 GMT My question involves a traffic citation from the state of: Oregon My question involves a traffic citation from the City of: Portland My question... My question involves a traffic citation from the state of: Oregon
My question involves a traffic citation from the City of: Portland
My question involves a traffic citation from the County of: Multnomah

Relevant Files: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/maymkosskezn142/ruVCWsUAZD
"16.20.220 Truck Loading Zones.pdf" - Text of the law
"ParkingSpotPicture.pdf" - Google Street View picture of the location where the citation was recieved
"ParkingTicketBlackedOut.pdf" - Citation itself

Type of traffic citation: "Parking Violation"
Computer Printed or Hand Written: Computer Printed
In Violation Of: 16.20.220-B "Loading Zone"
Link to Text of Law: http://www.portlandonline.com/audito...=28591&a=16058

Was the signage clear, unaltered, and competent: Yes

Additional Resources:
PDF of Google Streetview of location of violation is in dropbox link above.
To get to Google Streetview directly, lookup address: 708 Southwest 12th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, United States. Once in streetview, rotate to the left, and you will see it.

Question(s):
16.20.220-D states that "Truck loading zones should not be located within 50 feet of an intersection in order to facilitate traffic safety. This does not apply to the area of the street where the direction of traffic is leaving an intersection on a one-way street." It seems to me, because the zone I was cited in clearly lies within 50 feet of an intersection, that the zone itself is invalid, and therefore, I should be able to get the ticket dismissed. What do you think?

If you all concur with my analysis, I will go to the city planner and get certified copies of the planning maps to introduce as evidence. I am also currently fighting a speeding ticket - is a traffic violation hearing essentially the same procedure as a speeding ticket hearing?

My ticket clearly shows there were two pictures taken - would the case be dismissed if the meter officer could not produce color certified copies of these photos at the hearing?

Also, many of the fields on my citation are empty. I couldn't find a definition of exactly what a citation must have on it - can you take a look and tell me if its missing any important info that might invalidate it?

Thank you all very much!

I really appreciate all your help. I will try to update this post with my results after my hearing.

Thanks again! ]]> Parking, Towing and Impound als5122 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157770 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157738&goto=newpost Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:51:44 GMT My question involves a traffic citation from the state of: Arizona I have been locking my bike to the same street sign all semester, because the... My question involves a traffic citation from the state of: Arizona

I have been locking my bike to the same street sign all semester, because the bike racks are always full. Yesterday I came out of class to see that the University of Arizona transportation officials had cut my lock and were impounding my bike. I got into an argument with them because they had never once given me a warning saying that it was against policy to lock a bike to street signs and I didn't think it was fair to impound a bike without giving notice. The sign wasn't marked with anything saying you couldn't lock bikes to it.

I'm appealing my ticket on the university website and I see that it says that "lack of knowledge of university regulations is not grounds for an appeal."

My question is, who are they to tell me that I don't have the right to appeal? The university is a non-elected, quasi-legal entity that is going around creating its own laws and issuing its own citations. I thought it was a principle of law that everyone has the right to an appeal and a hearing, and I don't know how the university can choose not to abide by this.

The street signs across the street are public property and it's legal to lock bikes to them. The university is a public university, so you would think the same laws apply. I tried appealing anyways, but if they deny my appeal there must be a way to get this case transferred to the County Court which is run by legal experts and not school administrators, right? ]]> Parking, Towing and Impound saltyd http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157738 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157554&goto=newpost Sun, 21 Apr 2013 09:04:21 GMT My question involves a traffic citation from the state of: California

V C Section 22658 Removal From Private Property : "(l) (1) (A) A towing company shall not remove or commence the removal of a vehicle from private property without first obtaining the written authorization from the property owner or lessee, including an association of a common interest development, or an employee or agent thereof, who shall be present at the time of removal and verify the alleged violation, except that presence and verification is not required if the person authorizing the tow is the property owner, or the owner’s agent who is not a tow operator, of a residential rental property of 15 or fewer units that does not have an onsite owner, owner’s agent or employee, and the tenant has verified the violation, requested the tow from that tenant’s assigned parking space, and provided a signed request or electronic mail, or has called and provides a signed request or electronic mail within 24 hours, to the property owner or owner’s agent, which the owner or agent shall provide to the towing company within 48 hours of authorizing the tow."


On Sat., I attended a party and I stopped by a store @ 6:27pm and I arrived at the party around 6:45pm. I parked on a "Private Property" after their close hours and my car was towed. I picked it up that same night at 11:30pm and I was charged above $400, I asked for the writing authorization that they received to tow my car and on there it says that my car was spotted at 6:15pm but I was at the store at that time. How can I fight it? I had another adult and a teenager with me that also bought stuff from the store and have receipts to prove that we were not at the Private Property at that time. Please help! I want my money refunded. ]]> Parking, Towing and Impound nena08 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157554 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157552&goto=newpost Sun, 21 Apr 2013 07:06:04 GMT My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Iowa I live in an area with a large number of apartments in a college town. There are a... My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Iowa

I live in an area with a large number of apartments in a college town. There are a few university holidays every year for which a lot of visitors come into the town. During these events the parking areas in my complex become very full, and the previous two years I have had to park about a half a mile from where I live as there was nothing open in any of the parking areas. This year I parked my car in the grass on the edge of one of the lots, and was promptly towed before I went out to move it the next morning.

The rental agreement does specifically warn against parking in a grass area, and states that anyone who does this will be towed without notice at the owner’s expense. The rental agreement also states that the number of parking spots available to a unit is limited by the number of bedrooms in that unit. This second part is clearly not being enforced, as all of the parking areas are consumed during these weekends.
I understand the reasoning for these rules, and have no issue with them. However, it seems unreasonable that I should have to park so far from where I live because the guests staying in other units exceed the allowed number of vehicles. It also annoys me that the management chooses to enforce one rule and turns a blind eye to the other.
Do I have any good argument here, or should I accept that I broke a rule, with or without valid reasoning and pay the penalty?

Thanks ]]> Parking, Towing and Impound jmouw http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157552 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157537&goto=newpost Sat, 20 Apr 2013 23:47:59 GMT My question involves a traffic citation from the state of: California I was at LAX to drop off some relatives. There were quite a few items of... My question involves a traffic citation from the state of: California

I was at LAX to drop off some relatives. There were quite a few items of luggage, so I left the vehicle to obtain a luggage cart, leaving my relatives nearby the vehicle. Within the minute that I was gone, an airport security officer (not the LAPD kind but the meter maid kind) had proceeded to write up a citation for me for leaving a vehicle unattended. I was within 30 feet of my vehicle at the time, but the officer was steadfast in maintaining that I could not even leave my vehicle for one second. My relatives do not speak English, which is why they felt powerless to confront the officer at the initial time of writing the citation. The officer had literally just pulled out his pad when I returned with the luggage cart. It's not even so much about the money ($58 ticket) its about the situation that really makes me bitter. I fully intend to fight this ticket, since I disagree with the officer and believe that it was issued unjustly. Leaving a vehicle unattended is very vague, and by what the officer stated I am not even allowed to get out of the drivers seat to help people unload their luggage from my trunk. I had already done a bit of research on how to proceed, namely this three step procedure as depicted in the following link (http://ladot.lacity.org/tf_contesting_citation.htm) but was wondering if anybody more knowledgeable with similar experiences could give me advise on how to proceed with contesting the ticket. Any help and advice is greatly appreciated! ]]> Parking, Towing and Impound phantaci http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157537 http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157494&goto=newpost Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:31:51 GMT 10 years) who received a parking citation for...]]> My question involves a traffic citation from the state of: MD

I am a Baltimore City resident (for >10 years) who received a parking citation for "Obstruct/impeding movement of pedestrian" on a block near my house that has no marked crosswalks. I learned of the citation when I received a "Warning notice" 3 weeks after the actual violation date. I never saw the actual ticket which must have had disappeared somehow before I went back to my car. Consequently, I don't know exactly how or at what corner I parked when I got the ticket. However I have a good guess on the corner (no fire hydrant, no signs, wide sidewalk, a wheelchair ramp) since I park there regularly.

Anyhow, my question is, what is the definition of "Obstruct or impeding movement of pedestrian traffic" in Baltimore City when there are no marked crosswalks. I checked the Baltimore City Code 31 that covers everything about traffic and found no mention on what actually constitutes obstruction or impeding (i.e., elements to avoid or extent of margin).


Could it be obstruction of: 1) a wheelchair ramp, 2) an area within certain distance from a wheelchair ramp, and/or 3) any area corresponding to the attached sidewalk regardless of the presence of ramps? I have used definition #1 and always stay completely clear of wheelchair ramps but without much margin. I haven't gotten any ticket for this violation until this one.

I'm not going to court, but wish to have a solid knowledge for the future reference. Thank you in advance for your inputs. ]]> Parking, Towing and Impound hotdog http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157494