Writing a Strong Parking Ticket Appeal Letter (with Sample)
Use this sample parking ticket appeal letter as a template for your formal appeal letter.
Last updated on November 22nd, 2023
Drivers who feel they have been unfairly given a parking ticket can contest it. They need to send a parking ticket appeal letter to the proper authority as soon as they can. Most states have a time limit for appealing a parking ticket, which may be 30 days after the ticket was issued.
If the person appeals the ticket and loses, they will have to pay late fees if they miss the deadline for paying the ticket. In many cases, parking tickets are dismissed for first time offenders, so it is definitely worth taking the time to send an appeal letter.
Before writing the letter, there are some things they need to consider first. If a person believes they were unfairly ticketed, they should look up the law and make sure of their position before sending an appeal letter.
If the person appeals the ticket and loses, they will have to pay late fees if they miss the deadline for paying the ticket. In many cases, parking tickets are dismissed for first time offenders, so it is definitely worth taking the time to send an appeal letter.
Before writing the letter, there are some things they need to consider first. If a person believes they were unfairly ticketed, they should look up the law and make sure of their position before sending an appeal letter.
Determine if There are any Mistakes
The ticket should be reviewed in detail to determine if there are any mistakes. If the officer who issued the ticket made mistakes, this can work in favor of the person asking for an appeal. It may be enough to get the ticket dismissed if there is evidence to prove a mistake was made.
For example, if the paint that designates a no parking area is faded or scratched beyond recognition, a photo of this can be taken and enclosed in the letter. Photos could also be included that show graffiti or a bumper sticker obscuring a parking sign, or the sign shrouded in thick foliage.
The ticket should be reviewed in detail to determine if there are any mistakes. If the officer who issued the ticket made mistakes, this can work in favor of the person asking for an appeal. It may be enough to get the ticket dismissed if there is evidence to prove a mistake was made.
For example, if the paint that designates a no parking area is faded or scratched beyond recognition, a photo of this can be taken and enclosed in the letter. Photos could also be included that show graffiti or a bumper sticker obscuring a parking sign, or the sign shrouded in thick foliage.
When the appeal is made, it should state the facts. The person appealing the ticket should not lie or change the actual circumstances. That means they should not make up a story to support their wrong-doing.
They should also not attack the officer’s credibility by saying the he or she lied, was negligent or was simply filling a ticket quota. These accusations will not be viewed favorable by the official who is to dismiss the ticket.
Be Polite
The letter should be polite and humble. The person reviewing the appeal will be more favorable if the offender has learned from his or her mistake and either will not do it again in the future, or honestly didn’t realize they were making a parking mistake. If the parking ticket is not dismissed, the person may need to take the appeal to court.
Here is a sample of a parking ticket appeal letter. It should be sent by certified mail, so the sender has a record of the time and date it was sent and received. A copy of the ticket can be enclosed with the letter. They should also keep copies of all their correspondence including the ticket, photographs that are being presented as evidence and the letter.
They should also not attack the officer’s credibility by saying the he or she lied, was negligent or was simply filling a ticket quota. These accusations will not be viewed favorable by the official who is to dismiss the ticket.
Be Polite
The letter should be polite and humble. The person reviewing the appeal will be more favorable if the offender has learned from his or her mistake and either will not do it again in the future, or honestly didn’t realize they were making a parking mistake. If the parking ticket is not dismissed, the person may need to take the appeal to court.
Here is a sample of a parking ticket appeal letter. It should be sent by certified mail, so the sender has a record of the time and date it was sent and received. A copy of the ticket can be enclosed with the letter. They should also keep copies of all their correspondence including the ticket, photographs that are being presented as evidence and the letter.
Sample Appeal Letter for Parking Ticket
Name of Person Appealing
Address of Person Appealing
City, State, Zip Code
DATE
Re: Appealing Parking Ticket 12345678
To whom it may concern,
I received a parking ticket on December 25th, stating that I was parked in a street cleaning zone. I have understood that the city does not clean the streets on public holidays, and this was Christmas Day. I have parked in the same place on December 25th several time and was not given a ticket, so I don’t understand why I was given one this time. I would like to contest this parking ticket because I think it was made in error.
This is the first parking ticket that I have ever received because I am very careful to obey parking regulations. If I had known the street cleaning crew would be working that day, I would not have parked in that place.
I would be happy to discuss the details with you if you require. I can be reached at 555-123-4567 or at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Signature of person appealing
Name of person appealing in print
List of enclosures (copy of the ticket, photographs)
By Andre Bradley
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is a Parking Ticket Appeal Letter?
Answer: A Parking Ticket Appeal Letter is a written communication sent to the relevant authorities or parking enforcement agency to contest or dispute a parking ticket. It serves as a formal request to reconsider the issued parking ticket based on specific grounds or circumstances.
Q: Why would someone write a Parking Ticket Appeal Letter?
Answer: People write Parking Ticket Appeal Letters to challenge the validity of a parking ticket they believe was issued incorrectly or unfairly. The letter provides an opportunity to present evidence, explain extenuating circumstances, or highlight any errors that may have occurred during the ticketing process.
Q: How should the Parking Ticket Appeal Letter be formatted?
Answer: The Parking Ticket Appeal Letter should generally follow a formal business letter format. It should be typed, using a professional font and appropriate formatting. The letterhead or sender's contact information should be at the top, followed by the date, recipient's details, a formal salutation, the body of the letter, a polite closing, and the sender's signature.
Q: Is it necessary to provide evidence in a Parking Ticket Appeal Letter?
Answer: While providing evidence is not always necessary, it significantly strengthens your case when disputing a parking ticket. Including supporting evidence, such as photographs, witness statements, or relevant documents, helps demonstrate the validity of your claims and increases the chances of a successful appeal.
Q: Can a Parking Ticket Appeal Letter guarantee the dismissal of a ticket?
Answer: There is no guarantee that a Parking Ticket Appeal Letter will lead to the dismissal of a ticket. However, a well-written letter that presents valid arguments, provides evidence, and highlights any errors or extenuating circumstances can increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome. The decision ultimately rests with the parking enforcement agency or relevant authorities reviewing the appeal.
Q: How long does it take to receive a response to a Parking Ticket Appeal Letter?
Answer: The response time to a Parking Ticket Appeal Letter can vary depending on the specific parking enforcement agency and their workload. It is advisable to include a reasonable timeframe for a response in the letter itself, typically within 30 days. If no response is received within the specified timeframe, a follow-up inquiry may be necessary.
Q: Can a Parking Ticket Appeal Letter be submitted electronically?
Answer: Some parking enforcement agencies or authorities may allow electronic submission of Parking Ticket Appeal Letters, while others may require physical mail. It is essential to check the guidelines or instructions provided on the ticket or the relevant agency's website to determine the preferred method of submission. If electronic submission is allowed, it is recommended to follow the specified format and include all necessary details.
Q: What should be done if the appeal is unsuccessful?
Answer: If the initial Parking Ticket Appeal Letter is unsuccessful, there may be further options available, depending on the jurisdiction. These options could include escalating the appeal to a higher authority, attending an in-person hearing, or exploring alternative dispute resolution methods. It is advisable to review the specific instructions provided by the parking enforcement agency or seek legal advice for further guidance.
Interesting Finds
Name of Person Appealing
Address of Person Appealing
City, State, Zip Code
DATE
Re: Appealing Parking Ticket 12345678
To whom it may concern,
I received a parking ticket on December 25th, stating that I was parked in a street cleaning zone. I have understood that the city does not clean the streets on public holidays, and this was Christmas Day. I have parked in the same place on December 25th several time and was not given a ticket, so I don’t understand why I was given one this time. I would like to contest this parking ticket because I think it was made in error.
This is the first parking ticket that I have ever received because I am very careful to obey parking regulations. If I had known the street cleaning crew would be working that day, I would not have parked in that place.
I would be happy to discuss the details with you if you require. I can be reached at 555-123-4567 or at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Signature of person appealing
Name of person appealing in print
List of enclosures (copy of the ticket, photographs)
By Andre Bradley
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is a Parking Ticket Appeal Letter?
Answer: A Parking Ticket Appeal Letter is a written communication sent to the relevant authorities or parking enforcement agency to contest or dispute a parking ticket. It serves as a formal request to reconsider the issued parking ticket based on specific grounds or circumstances.
Q: Why would someone write a Parking Ticket Appeal Letter?
Answer: People write Parking Ticket Appeal Letters to challenge the validity of a parking ticket they believe was issued incorrectly or unfairly. The letter provides an opportunity to present evidence, explain extenuating circumstances, or highlight any errors that may have occurred during the ticketing process.
Q: How should the Parking Ticket Appeal Letter be formatted?
Answer: The Parking Ticket Appeal Letter should generally follow a formal business letter format. It should be typed, using a professional font and appropriate formatting. The letterhead or sender's contact information should be at the top, followed by the date, recipient's details, a formal salutation, the body of the letter, a polite closing, and the sender's signature.
Q: Is it necessary to provide evidence in a Parking Ticket Appeal Letter?
Answer: While providing evidence is not always necessary, it significantly strengthens your case when disputing a parking ticket. Including supporting evidence, such as photographs, witness statements, or relevant documents, helps demonstrate the validity of your claims and increases the chances of a successful appeal.
Q: Can a Parking Ticket Appeal Letter guarantee the dismissal of a ticket?
Answer: There is no guarantee that a Parking Ticket Appeal Letter will lead to the dismissal of a ticket. However, a well-written letter that presents valid arguments, provides evidence, and highlights any errors or extenuating circumstances can increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome. The decision ultimately rests with the parking enforcement agency or relevant authorities reviewing the appeal.
Q: How long does it take to receive a response to a Parking Ticket Appeal Letter?
Answer: The response time to a Parking Ticket Appeal Letter can vary depending on the specific parking enforcement agency and their workload. It is advisable to include a reasonable timeframe for a response in the letter itself, typically within 30 days. If no response is received within the specified timeframe, a follow-up inquiry may be necessary.
Q: Can a Parking Ticket Appeal Letter be submitted electronically?
Answer: Some parking enforcement agencies or authorities may allow electronic submission of Parking Ticket Appeal Letters, while others may require physical mail. It is essential to check the guidelines or instructions provided on the ticket or the relevant agency's website to determine the preferred method of submission. If electronic submission is allowed, it is recommended to follow the specified format and include all necessary details.
Q: What should be done if the appeal is unsuccessful?
Answer: If the initial Parking Ticket Appeal Letter is unsuccessful, there may be further options available, depending on the jurisdiction. These options could include escalating the appeal to a higher authority, attending an in-person hearing, or exploring alternative dispute resolution methods. It is advisable to review the specific instructions provided by the parking enforcement agency or seek legal advice for further guidance.
Interesting Finds