Need help fighting a parking ticket

[Fuzn]

Hey guys, well I got a parking ticket last week. I would have NO problem paying it if I felt I was in the wrong, but I don't understand how I could have got it. It's also not fun paying $50 when i'm 18. Anyways... here is the story.

I was down in the orange county area in california last week, which was a 6 or 7 hour drive. This is because a friend was nice enough to let us stay at his place. Anyways, it was like condos all over, so there is ONLY parking on the streets. So on sunday night after coachella, we come back and see no parking on monday morning signs all over. Half of them said no parking on the 1st and 3rd monday and some said no parking on the 2nd and 4th monday both between 9am and 1pm. This was because of street sweeping... Anyways. I drove around and found the no parking 2nd and 4th monday signs. Which was perfect, because this was on the FIRST monday of the MONTH. (Keep in mind, the no parking 1st and 3rd monday of the month signs were like at least a few blocks down and out of sight). The guy we were staying with parked right behind us. This was ALSO the only parking spot anywhere, so I didn't have much of a choice.

I wake up next morning, and we BOTH have parking tickets. AMAZING. So this is where I post the pics of the whole situation. Excuse the bad quality, all we had was my camera phone.

Here is a diagram of the situation
Not much to say here. I labeled the signs by number and color.

Closeup of the no parking sign
The only other sign even in sight of my car was exactly the same.

Same sign as previous picture. But with my car in the view.
Friend's car is right behind mine. Way down the street is the other parking sign that says the same thing.

Same sign. Pic from my car to the sign.

Parking Sign 2. The only other sign in sight of the car.
It's the other one, way down the street. Says the exact same thing...

Parking sign 2 and the car in the same pic.
You can also see the other sign in here...

Anyways, there you have it. So if you guys think I should pay, SURE. I just don't see why I got the ticket. There were NO SIGNS in front of my car either. The street ended and curved into the main streets. I would REALLY appreciate some help here. I would be happy to go in for a hearing, but this is like 6 or 7 hours away. So is there some way I can fight it by mail? Thanks a lot.

 

[ToeStub]

You can fight it and lose.

 

[olds]

Is there an address on the ticket that corresponds to the sign location?

 

[Fuzn]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
Is there an address on the ticket that corresponds to the sign location?

It says 1831 E Park W/B

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Fuzn

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
Is there an address on the ticket that corresponds to the sign location?

It says 1831 E Park W/B

Take a picture at that location of the sign and show it to the judge. You may ask another officer or city works person to verify that info if one will do it.
EDIT
If the officer's name is on the ticket and I would assume it is, call the PD and ask to meet with him.
All of this is assuming that you parked legally.

 

[Fuzn]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: Fuzn

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
Is there an address on the ticket that corresponds to the sign location?

It says 1831 E Park W/B

Take a picture at that location of the sign and show it to the judge. You may ask another officer or city works person to verify that info if one will do it.
EDIT
If the officer's name is on the ticket and I would assume it is, call the PD and ask to meet with him.
All of this is assuming that you parked legally.

I really appreciate the help. I'll probably tell my friend to do that himself, since he got one too and lives there. I don't know if I can do those things though, since that location is about 6 or 7 hours away. So, my only hope is some deal with phone or mail. Also, yes... it was DEFINITELY legally parked.

 

[imthebadguy]

cut the sign down and then take a pic and say that there never was a sign....hahah jk i pay out the ass in parking tickets 160$ last week, never move to ann arbor, mi ohh and im 19 so its no fun....but hey thats what the amex is for

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: imthebadguy
cut the sign down and then take a pic and say that there never was a sign....hahah jk i pay out the ass in parking tickets 160$ last week, never move to ann arbor, mi ohh and im 19 so its no fun....but hey thats what the amex is for

Newsflash! Amex will want their money back.

 

[notfred]

I once lent my car to some stupid bitch. Anyway, she got a parking ticket and never told me about it, and eventually the ticket got mailed to my house. I sent it back with no money and a letter saying that someone else had the car at the time, so I didn't park it there, and I've never heard back about it. Seems to have worked out OK.

 

[jadinolf]

Don't pay it. Just thumb your nose at them.