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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    4

    Unhappy Help for $9000 Worth of Parking Tickets

    My question involves a traffic citation from the state of: Maryland

    I lived in Baltimore for a brief period of time about 9 years ago attending school. I just received a call from an attorney/collection agency claiming that I owe the city of Baltimore almost $9000 for parking ticket fines. Apparently in 2002 I got 8 - $20 tickets which were never paid and with late fines the amount is now $9000. I have had two other cars between then and now and honestly don't even remember getting any tickets.

    This seems outrageous to me as I never received any sort of notice from the city of Baltimore or any collection agencies. No written, emails, phones calls, NOTHING in the past 7 years. Remember these tickets are from 2002! WHAT CAN I DO?? I have been working very diligently on earning a stellar credit score, but there is no way I can afford to pay this. Nor do I feel like i should have to considering this is the first time I am hearing of this. Why would I wait 7 years to pay $20 parking tickets? It's just crazy.

    Now I have this collection agencies calling me and my family threatening us, about this money that we did not even know we owed. They say they will impound our cars, report us, etc etc. Even though this is the FIRST time we have heard about these tickets. They are very rude and mean, is this legal?? We have never had any problems with collections and this is very upsetting for all of us.

    Should I hire a lawyer or what? Can they really do this?? What can I do?? I would be willing to pay the original violations ($160) but $9000 worth of tickets that I was never informed of, seems obscene.


    ANY help you can provide is MUCH appreciated. I am losing my mind over this.

    Thanks,

    So Upset Girl

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    9,096

    Default Re: Help for $9000 Worth of Parking Tickets

    Have you called the municipality yet to see what can be done?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Help for $9000 Worth of Parking Tickets

    cyjeff,
    I have called the city of Baltimore and they say that I can petition for a trial. But I want to know if there is anything else I can do, or if this is even legal. I just feel like they are going to screw me and I don't know what to do.
    - soupsetgirl

  4. #4

    Default Re: Help for $9000 Worth of Parking Tickets

    Hi,

    I received a similar call today saying that I owe $25000 is tickets from 2002. I feel like this is fraud!!

    I also read that if you don't own the car anymore, then you aren't liable for the tickets. I need to find that written in a law document somewhere.

    soupsetgirl, did you go to school at jhu in 2002?

  5. #5

    Default Re: Help for $9000 Worth of Parking Tickets


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Help for $9000 Worth of Parking Tickets

    That's crazy. This crazy.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Posts
    15

    Default Re: Help for $9000 Worth of Parking Tickets

    First off, you should NOT begin making payments on these tickets until you've spoken with a lawyer. I'm unsure of the Statute of Limitations on Parking Ticket debt, but I know that if you pay ANY portion, or even tell them that you owe them money, it restarts the Statute of Limitations which, in this case, will probably be your best bet.

    Okay, after a bit of research, I found this. I'm not exactly sure if it would apply to you, as it doesn't specifically mention Parking tickets, buuuuut...

    Maryland Statutes of Limitation

    Civil action: 3 years from the date it accrues, unless:

    Breach of contract under any sale of goods and services under the UCC: 4 years after the cause of action, even if the aggrieved party is unaware of the breach.

    Promissory notes or instruments under seal, bonds, judgments, recognizance, contracts under seal, or other specialties: 12 years.

    Financing statement: 12 years, unless a continuation statement is filed by a secured party six (6) months prior to end of twelve (12) year period. (Maryland, Commercial Law article Sec. 2-725; Courts & Judicial Proceedings Article Sec. 5-101-02, 9-403).

    NOTE: The 3 year statute of limitations begins again if creditors can document that a debtor has reaffirmed a debt by a good faith basis by a written agreement, orally, or by payment.



    ( All this information was found at http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/...-State.html#21 )

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Help for $9000 Worth of Parking Tickets

    Saldore- great information. Thanks for the link and help!!!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Posts
    15

    Default Re: Help for $9000 Worth of Parking Tickets

    Anything come of this yet, Soupsetgirl? I'd really like to know how this turns out.

  10. #10

    Default Re: Help for $9000 Worth of Parking Tickets

    I also received a letter last year from this law firm and contacted them right away. I tried to talk with them and also the Baltimore city parking officials about a more reasonable fine amount and they refused to lower the fines and said that requesting a court date was my only option. I had received 2 parking tickets from 2004 just before we moved out of state and don't remember whether they were paid and did not get anything from the city until last year when the law firm sent the first letter. The original tickets were $27 and $77 and now the fines together are $1,969. They refused to try cut the fine amount, I even offered to pay $100 on top of the original fine for each and told me I would have to pay the full amount now due. I don't have that kind of money to pay them and chose to ignore it, until they called me today on my cell phone (no idea how they got that number) and absolutely scared the crap out of me.

    I have considered going online to pay the original amount of the fine from the city's website, but don't know if this is the right course of action. I live out of state (Florida) so going to court is not really an option.

    There is a local resident who has started a facebook group Baltimore Scofflaws and also has a blog http://baltimorescofflaws.blogspot.com/ I have contacted him as he is trying to organize people to request that the city offer an amnesty program as they did in 2003 (City charter says that they can only offer it every 10 years) and to change the law so there is a limit on the fine amount.

    I really think it is ridiculous to charge such hefty fines for parking tickets. I am willing to pay, but $16 month per fine combined with their lack of effort to contact people with unpaid parking tickets until after several years have passed and the fines have grown exponentially is just absurd. I don't feel I have any options at this point. If someone can offer any legal advice I would really appreciate it.

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