Richmond.com: Blog Post : Parking Violation?!?

Parking Violation?!?

Posted by: mward on May 26, 2009

I don’t like to abuse the power of the pen.

But sometimes when the man traps you in the corner of a cheese factory like a hungry, lactose-intolerant rat, you need to bite back. And when that man is the City of Richmond, you aim your snaggle tooth right for the jugular.

A week ago I parked my silver Nissan subcompact on West Franklin Street by the Commonwealth Club for an early morning work event. It was 7ish. Two hours later I strode down the sidewalk toward my ride to see a $60 parking ticket tucked under the windshield wiper for allegedly bellying up to a Tow Away Zone.

You can see the parking sign for yourself above. I looked that thing up and down twice that Friday morning before heading on my merry way. And I still believe the way the whole “Wednesday” wording is incorporated into the sign is totally misleading. Doesn’t it look like parking there any day other Wednesday is OK? If I'm wrong, blame the fact I was hopped up on Ambien and mimosas - actually, scratch that.

Tomorrow morning, I will be contesting this ticket over the phone, and hopefully I’ll set the stage for a John Grissom-esque courtroom battle. I’ll have charts, diagrams and a one-armed “Make a Wish” kid in my corner. They’ll have a blind-folded Lady Justice mascot and a cramped courtroom hinting of asbestos. I like my chances.

And here is a sneak peak at my arguments: If you’re so desperate for money, City of Richmond, then why make deliberately confusing parking signs when you can bring that monstrosity of a sculpture on police headquarters to a pawn shop? Or why can’t you charge former Mayor L. Douglas Wilder for all the Post-it notes, staples and denim throw pillows he ganked from City Hall? Or if you’re going to beg for my money, at least get a pratfalling comedian from the ‘40s to put on a telethon with has-been crooners and sitcom stars.

And finally, instead of hoodwinking law-abiding citizens with a shadier money-making scheme than Amway, why not just have new Mayor Dwight Jones stand on the corner of Boulevard and Broad with a sign and a Styrofoam cup?

Sadly, the panhandler with the “Why lie, I need a drink” sign would outperform the new mayor.

Wild_Wakalope

May 27, 2009

As much as I hate to agree with the City, I read the sign differently. I read all the times in red as the times you cannot park. You can park there only during the green times. I don't know why it's longer on Wednesday.

Reply to This Post

Jackson22

Mike,

I don't find that sign confusing. Apparently Wed. is street cleaning day so they would need your car out of there until 11:00. Also, you can not contest or sign up for court over the phone. You have to go to city hall and register for a court date. They don't make it easy for you. BTW-You will have to pay the fine plus the court costs if you go to court and lose. I would suggest that you pay this one. I just got a ticket for "parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk or intersection". I have been parking on this corner for 20 years an all of a sudden get my first ticket. I was not blocking a cross walk, I was not hanging out in the intersection.... nothing. I have searched for clarification of this "code" on DMW and the City's web sit but both elaborate no further that this vague description of 20 feet.

Anyone else get one of these "parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk or intersection" tickets?

nmcmullin

As someone whose car was recently booted for being slow to pay her parking tickets (more specifically, lacking money to pay the parking tickets), I feel your pain. But I have to disagree with you on this sign. Seems pretty clear to me, and I’m all too familiar with when I shouldn’t park on the street.

tgrara

May 29, 2009

The sign is a little confusing but after staring at it a while it makes sense, unfortunately.

Jackson is right-you can't contest over the phone. You go down to the city hall, wait in line, and sign up for a court date. If they decide the ticket is valid-you have to pay the ticket and court costs, which I think can be from 50-100 dollars. They make it so you will just pay the ticket, at least that's what I did. It is maddening but I didn't want to run the risk of paying double for a ticket that I shouldn't have gotten in the first place.

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