Stung by Chicago parking - $120 - no city sticker.

[Black Landlord]

[quote M A V I C]Wow, that's an incredibly messed up system. Can't wait for someone to sue the city. Parking enforcement should be looking up the plates to make sure they're registered in the city. Forcing people to fight the ticket after the fact is ridiculous.
It's illegal in Chicago to sue the city of Chicago.

[mikebw]

So you could still technically sue them, but if you did then you would face charges for doing so?

[quote Black Landlord][quote M A V I C]Wow, that's an incredibly messed up system. Can't wait for someone to sue the city. Parking enforcement should be looking up the plates to make sure they're registered in the city. Forcing people to fight the ticket after the fact is ridiculous.
It's illegal in Chicago to sue the city of Chicago.

[Black Landlord]

[quote mikebw]So you could still technically sue them, but if you did then you would face charges for doing so?

[quote Black Landlord][quote M A V I C]Wow, that's an incredibly messed up system. Can't wait for someone to sue the city. Parking enforcement should be looking up the plates to make sure they're registered in the city. Forcing people to fight the ticket after the fact is ridiculous.
It's illegal in Chicago to sue the city of Chicago.
I think the first time you sue the city you get a warning, the second time a citation, and the third time you're subject to arrest.

[beerman]

I think I'll steer clear of chicago.

[mikebw]

[quote beerman]I think I'll steer clear of chicago.
Yeah, sounds like I can add Chicago to my list of places not to drive in. New Jersey has been on the list for a few years already.

[Racer X]

[quote mikebw]Officers rarely come to court over a parking ticket, at least in my area. Just schedule a date, go to court and tell them you are not guilty. If the officer who issued the ticket is not present then they have to drop the fine.
that depends on local laws. maybe where you live. In Seattle, the officer's handwritten notes on the back of the original ticket are admissable in the magistrate's office as sworn testimony. You may supoena the officer, but they aren't required to appear unless ordered to by the presiding judge in a court.

[simonm]

Well parking cost $30-$40 anyway when I visited in 2005 ...

[Black Landlord]

[quote mikebw][quote beerman]I think I'll steer clear of chicago.
Yeah, sounds like I can add Chicago to my list of places not to drive in..
Cool . . . now how do we get Chicagoans to sign on?

[prymsnap]

[quote mikebw]Officers rarely come to court over a parking ticket, at least in my area. Just schedule a date, go to court and tell them you are not guilty. If the officer who issued the ticket is not present then they have to drop the fine.
Sadly, it's not always that easy in Chicago. During the last ticket I contested in court, the city had assigned a representative to present the city's "case" against me and everyone else in the room. In spite of my valiant efforts and slew of photos, I lost. The judge, however, had a sense of humor and complimented me on my noble attempt.

The funniest part of that long and frustrating day happened after going through the metal detector. I didn't realize the two-inch swiss army knife on my key ring would be considered a deadly weapon. The cop at the entrance said my best bet would be to take it off the key ring and "hide it under the big planter" on the sidewalk outside the courthouse. So I went outside and, sure enough, there was a whole collection of small knives and pepper sprayers under the big planter. I added mine and went inside, never expecting to see it again. After my unsuccessful bid in front of the judge I went back outside and reclaimed my little WMD.

[mikebw]

Interesting. I guess they really take their ticket writing seriously. Or maybe the officers that issued my tickets realized they were wrong and decided not to bother.

One courthouse I went to allowed you to put restricted items in a locker outside the security zone, which was good because I too had a dangerous weapon/