Handicapped Parking Spot Sprayed Black

[modestmouse]

I wen to see a friend at his college at midnight and when I went out to my car at 4 am i had a ticket. Not from a cop but from campus police, I was wondering what they do? do they send the LP# to the police and tell them I parked at a hanicap spot? Also It was dark and it didn't have a handicap sign and the handicap box was painted black on the lot so I couldn't see it. I couldn't even tell if it used to be handicap parking during the night time. I was just seeing if I did have to go to court if I could take a picture of the parking space would it help me at all or am I just screwed?

Note: Campus police are not or ever have been real police.

[aaron]

It doesn't sound like the spot was properly marked. You can check the requirements for handicapped parking in your state to see. If it wasn't marked properly, contest the ticket and take both a copy of the regulations and photographs of the parking spot with you to the hearing. There should be instructions on or with the ticket telling you how to contest it.

[cdwjava]

Depending on the laws in your un-named state, parking tickets can likely be issued by non-sworn officers.

And, as Aaron mentioned, it sounds as if the location may have been improperly marked.

- Carl

[modestmouse]

I live in Arkansas

[chuckycheese]

A lot of the time, parking spots previously designated as handicap spots are painted black after the designation changes. Was there an upright sign in front of the spot? That is often required in order to make it enforceable. As was already advised, check your state laws carefully. I feel sure it's very clearly explained. PC offenses are always expensive so it would pay you to be diligent and thorough in your search.