Last Updated on September 21, 2017 by Lawrence Berezin
A customer success story about beating a “Play Street” NYC parking ticket
I recently received a telephone call from a wonderful friend of New York Parking Ticket, Jennifer, who needed help fighting a “Play Street” NYC parking ticket. I confess that this was my very first “Play Street” parking ticket.
I did some research and learned about the wonderful “Play Streets” Program in NYC since “Hector was a pup”…in the early 1900’s.
[Source: NYC Parks, Play Streets Program]
How we won
Jennifer told me her story about parking the night before in a legal parking space. She sent me a photograph of the permanent parking sign regulating her space. This image showed that Jennifer did not violate the rule displayed on the parking sign in front of her car, THE NIGHT BEFORE HER PARING TICKET WAS ISSUED.
Please note that there may have been a parking sign regulating Jennifer’s space behind her car, too.
This image was a “red herring,” because it didn’t solve the “Play Street” puzzle. The “No Parking – Play Street” signs are set up at each end of the block, closing the street to vehicular traffic.
When Jennifer returned to her car the next morning at 7:30A, there was a parking ticket scowling at her from under the wiper.
I examined the parking ticket and observed that it was issued at 7:21A. Seemed a little early. When my children were young, they were watching cartoons at 7:21A, not yet ready to go outside and play in the neighborhood.
I checked the hours of operation of a Play Street.
[Source: SUMMER PLAY STREETS: DEFINITION & PROCESS]
The parking ticket warrior entered the time of violation as 7:21A. The Play Street hours of operation started at 8A. “Time of violation” is a required element. Bad warrior!
Parking ticket dismissed
Commentary
Simply because you’re not familiar with the parking violation, doesn’t mean the parking ticket is not “beatable.” Required elements are the first place to look for a winning defense. You’d be amazed at the number of times a warrior misdescribes, omits, or enters an illegible required element.
“Days/Times” is a gold mine. Don’t assume a warrior correctly entered the days/times a parking rule is in effect. Take a moment to check out the NYC map of parking signs.
[Tweet “Remember, your chariot may be regulated by parking signs in front of and behind your car.”]
Never, ever, pay a parking ticket “no questions asked.” Don’t be a couch potato, do your homework…You’ll be glad you did.
Here are some helpful Play Street links…
Add your first comment to this post