Last Updated on October 14, 2021 by Lawrence Berezin
What is the latest COVID-19 and parking ticket news?
COVID-19 continues to rock NYC. Here is some helpful information about the impact on parking tickets.
On February 22, 2021, the Department of Finance resumed booting only vehicles that have $350 or more in camera violation judgment debt.
Most importantly, the Evil Empire will not boot or tow vehicles until further notice. This is effective on March 17, 2020.
However, please call (646) 517-1000 to make your payment if your vehicle was booted or towed before March 17, 2020.
Here’s the latest as of July 17, 2021. In other words, some good news for drivers:
“Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no additional penalties will be added to any unpaid non-judgment parking tickets from March 22, 2020, until further notice.
Moreover, the 30-day period to pay or dispute camera violations has resumed. Tickets that were in judgment before March 22, 2020, will continue to incur interest.”
Meanwhile, the Darth Vaders offer customers the ability to pay or dispute their parking tickets online without having to leave their homes. Please pay your parking ticket or request a hearing online to ensure that you do not accrue penalties. To pay your ticket online, visit www.nyc.gov/citypay. Visit the following links to learn how to request a hearing:
Dispute a Ticket Online
Dispute a Ticket by Mail
NO! ASP Rules have returned from the COVIC-19 Suspension. Beware the street cleaning monster and follow the new rules.
Yes. Check in again on May 12, 2020, to see if the suspension continues.
YES
“I’m keeping close track of speed camera offenses lately, and I am alarmed that even with the drastic reduction in traffic, the number of offenses has increased on some days. Our doctors and nurses are overburdened enough without car crash patients. Please slow down!” –Gridlock Sam.
No.
Most importantly, the time limits for submitting parking tickets and camera violations, hearing requests, and appeals have been suspended through May 15, 2020. However, you can still have a hearing by mail or an online hearing if you wish, but there will be no in-person hearings for parking tickets or camera violations through May 15, 2020.
Some more valuable Q and A
The Appeals Board will make one of the following decisions:
-Affirm (uphold) the original hearing decision
-Modify the original hearing decision
-Reverse the hearing decision
-Return the case for a completely new hearing
-Decide that there was no issue on which to base your appeal.
The Appeals Board determination will be mailed to you. Moreover, if appeal results in a reduction of the fine or a dismissal of the violation, the Department of Finance will automatically mail the refunded amount within 30 days to the person who requested the appeal.
The never-ending Q and A
To clarify, you have the right to file an Article 78 Proceeding to challenge the original hearing decision or Appeals Determination by visiting the Clerk of the Supreme Court for New York County at 60 Centre Street, Room 116, New York, NY 10007.
For more information, call 646-386-3025.
Yes
Commentary
To sum up, I sincerely hope these tiny snippets of information were helpful.
My prayers are with all of you to stay safe, be smart, and let’s get through this evil virus intact.
Problem is an Article 78 proceeding costs more in filing fees then the ticket itself. Unless someone is of the, “it’s the principle” type, it’s not financially justifiable. Any way around that I don’t know about? Thanks for your amazing work
Hi Dan,
Nope. You’re absolutely correct. But, check out Matter of Dong Sic Ko v City of N.Y. Dept. of Fin. Parking Violations Bur. 2010 NY Slip Op 20199 [28 Misc 3d 603] May 12, 2010 Schlesinger, J. Supreme Court, New York County Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431. Here’s the link
A man of principal!
NYPD Traffic agents (not real NYPD) giving out tickets for expired parking meters, expired registrations and inspections all over the city, even in non-ASP neighborhoods. It’s always been about the REVENUE!
I’m wit chu, Dan.
Regards,
Larry
The ticketing is only going to get worse. Looks like NYC is going broke again. It’s 1975 all over again. What a surprise!: http://pc.cd/S8LctalK
NYC will be looking to raise a ton of money now. More parking tickets, maybe even more parking restrictions to generate even more parking ticket revenue.
During the 1975 crisis street sweeping was reduced, but it took the city about 5 years to reduce the ASP restrictions all over the city. Knowing this mayor he’ll try to increase restrictions.
Great, informative blog, as always!
The politicians always say that school zone camera tickets are not about generating revenue, but about protecting our children. While I don’t condone speeding, I find it interesting that even though there are now zero children to protect in those school zones, the cameras are still going ka-ching! ka-ching!…
Hey Robert!
I agree 100%.
And, what about the boot and two hours later tow scam. If it was about “safety” why do you leave the car there for two more hours?
Oh well.
Thanks for the kind comment. Be safe.
Regards,
Larry
I got a fire hydrant ticket in April 2020, and the car was towed. Can’t say I wasn’t running a risk by going upstairs to drop something off, and got distracted. 20 mins later the rental car is not there.
Your blog here says that no cars would be towed. Any defenses I can avail of?
Additionally the car was an out of state rental but the CD, Ep. Date and Year are all N/S. Maybe a better defense?
Hi Joseph,
Oh, man. What a nightmare!
According to the Evil Empire, cars will not be booted or towed after March 17, 2020.
Here’s the link to the webpage (COVID 19 FAQ)
Good luck.
Regards,
Larry
I got a fire hydrant ticket in April 2020, and the car was towed. Can’t say I wasn’t running a risk by going upstairs to drop something off, and got distracted. 20 mins later the rental car is not there.
Your blog here says that no cars would be towed. Any defenses I can avail of?
Additionally the car was an out of state rental but the CD, Ep. Date and Year are all N/S. Maybe a better defense?
Hi JP,
I’m afraid that the elements you cited in your question are not required elements. So, you are not entitled to dismissal if any of them are omitted, misdescribed, or illegible. Unless, the registration expiration date is displayed on the plate or windshield.
Good luck again.
Regards,
Larry
Thanks Larry,
Well yes the tag is visible on the plates, and it is out of state. Here’s the response I just got from the administrative judge:
“A review of the summons shows that a prima facie case has been
established and the summons is not defective as written. Here, the officer noted on the summons that the registration expiration date as N/S on
the summons. The issuing officer is only required to check an out of state plate when issuing a summons. Here, there is no evidence
to support that the registration expiration date was clearly stated on the plate of the vehicle when summons was issued.”
Hi JP,
So close. You got one of the standard opinions when you claim the expiration date was omitted. You gotta prove that the sticker was displayed on the plate on the date and time the ticket was issued. There are ways to do this, the easiest being a time/date photo.
What evidence did you offer to prove this defense?
Regards,
Larry
Hi Larry,
So glad you’re back!
It’s great that NYC suspended the 30-day deadline for disputing (entering a plea) for parking tickets.
However, they did not update the parking ticket form to reflect this, and it still states a 30-day deadline. This is a lack of conformance with the Rules of the City of New York 39-02 (4) which states “The notice of violation (summons) shall also contain information advising the respondent of the manner and time in which a plea with respect to the violation alleged in the said notice may be entered and information warning that failure to plead in the manner and time provided shall be deemed an admission of liability and that a default judgment may be rendered”.
The fact that the ticket does not appraise this can cause them to plead guilty rather than take the extra time to mount a not-guilty plea and defense.
Regardless of the rationale, the NYS Court of Appeals in the Matter of Ryder Truck Rental, Inc. ruled that “The provisions explicitly prescribed by the Legislature in the statute are mandatory” and in conformance with the Matter of Wheels, Inc., this misdiscription should mandate the dismissal of these tickets.
I’d love to get your opinion on this.
Thanks!
Hi Moe,
Thank you for your kind comment.
I love that you took your valuable time to formulate a winning defense of a nasty parking ticket. I totally agree with your persuasive and accurate argument.
Most importantly, will the Evil Empire follow its own rule and dismiss a ticket based on your valid argument?
What do you think?
Regards,
Larry