Parking Tickets

A parking violation may be defined as the act of parking a vehicle in an unauthorized manner or a restricted place. Typical examples may include parking at a parking meter without paying, or for longer than the paid time, parking within or too close to an intersection, crosswalk or railroad crossing, and parking in a handicapped area without an appropriate permit, among other examples.

If you have ever been issued with a parking ticket, then you know how complex this ‘simple’ ticket can get. There are lots of things to figure out ranging from where to pay a single ticket and how, how bankruptcy can affect the tickets you may have accrued, what are the possible worst-case scenarios, what should be done if your car has been impounded by the city to what your legal rights are.

To put it simply, dealing with a parking ticket can sometimes prove to be an intimidating and daunting task. This is the primary reason why at Ktenas Law, we are always here to help you, particularly when the use of bankruptcy is preferred. Don’t wait any longer! Contact us for a consultation and we’ll quickly inform you know of what we can do to bail you out. On most occasions, clients tend to have similar questions, and this is why we have compiled a list of some of the most frequently asked questions below:

What are the various types of parking violations?

There are numerous types of parking violations, and regulations usually vary by state and city. However, most of these violations occur when you either park in a restricted area or stay in a parking area for too long.

Restricted Parking

Even though parking regulations may vary from state to state and from city to city, it is not unusual for a city or state to have a no parking zone’ as well as zones where parking is allowed, though with some restrictions.

It is imperative to note that no-parking areas are usually marked by red curbs or labeled with signs that indicate no parking. It is also a common rule that you motorists shouldn’t park within a certain distance of a fire hydrant, usually not within 15ft. A significant number of cities strictly enforce restricted zones, implying that if you park in a restricted area, you risk being ticketed and possibly towed.

In most cases, parking restrictions include limits on who can park in a particular space, the parking duration as well as the purpose of parking in that particular area.

For instance, some parking areas may only be reserved for drivers with disabilities, other spaces might limit parking to a certain number of minutes or hours, and parking is only allowed for the sole purpose of loading and unloading commercial trucks in commercial loading zones. If you are not sure about whether you are allowed to park in a restricted zone or not, it would be a great idea to play it safe and find some unrestricted area to park.

Parking Meters

In most cities, there is always some sort of paid parking, particularly in areas where parking is in high demand. In the past, parking meters that required users to feed the meter with coins before you could park for some time were common. However, thanks to the advent of technology, most cities now use advanced systems that allow drivers to pay using either their smartphone or credit card.

Regardless of the mode of payment, you only pay to park your vehicle for a certain amount of time, implying that if the time you paid for elapses, there is a high chance you’ll get a ticket. What’s more, most parking meters limit the total amount of time you can park in one spot and this means that you might get a ticket if you try to feed the meter for additional hours.

Do I deal with a parking ticket?

There is no better way to deal with a parking ticket received for a legitimately committed error than paying for it immediately. However, if you strongly believe that you shouldn’t have received a ticket, you are highly advised to protest the ticket as soon as you can and schedule a date for a traffic court appearance. During your court hearing, the judge will hear from you and the officer who issued the ticket to determine whether you wrongly received the ticket or not.

It is worth noting that if you fail to pay or resolve your ticket by a certain date, there is a possibility that the amount you own may increase. And even though unpaid parking tickets never go on your driving record, they go to the financial record of the registered owner of the car. Also, they could be reported to the DMV, and this could potentially lead to serious implications.

How much are Chicago parking tickets, non-compliance tickets, and red light tickets?

There are potentially endless tickets in Chicago and these can be found in the city code list of types of parking tickets. And while there are numerous tickets issued for various violations such as broken lamps that are fairly affordable and might cost you only $25, there are equally many tickets that cost above $100, with some of the more expensive ones costing more than $250.

However, it is worth noting that tickets that are specifically parking-related usually cost between $50 and $250. Though parking tickets may seem relatively cheaper, the bottom line is that they can quickly sore up, implying that those affected can potentially find themselves in a difficult situation financially.

For convenience, the state of Chicago has compiled a comprehensive list of standing, parking, compliance fines, and automated speed and red light violations that can be given to any driver who violates these legal requirements. Click on www.chicago.gov for more information.

Is there a statute of limitations on parking tickets?

It is imperative to note that in the state of Chicago, there is no statute of limitations on parking tickets. What this means is that even though it may seem out of sight and out of mind to you, Chicago city never forgets about parking ticket violations. Though New York is the city that never rests, however, when it comes to parking tickets, Chicago is the city that never forgets! And in case you didn’t know, many people have received a letter in their mail from Chicago city from twenty years, demand for payment for a previously issued Chicago parking ticket.

Can parking violations increase my insurance rate?

Thankfully, parking violations won’t increase your insurance rates. However, there is some sort of danger if you fail to pay off your parking tickets. In this regard, the DMV may not re-register your vehicle. What’s even more worrying is that a significant number of insurance firms usually refuse to insure unregistered vehicles. If you will have to apply for a new insurance policy, the chances are very high that you’ll have to pay more than you previously did.

Moving violation Vs a non-moving violation

In simple terms, a moving violation happens when a traffic regulation is violated by a vehicle that is in motion. Typical examples of a moving violation include running a red light or stop sign, driving under the influence of alcohol, and perhaps speeding. On the other hand, a non-moving violation occurs when the vehicle is not in motion.

As you may have guessed, a moving traffic violation is likely to result in a somewhat more serious offense. After all, if a vehicle is moving and the driver commits a traffic offense such as failure to use the appropriate turn signals, driving a car with burned-out headlights, turning into the wrong lane, and speeding, there is a high chance that other road users (pedestrians, other drivers, or cyclists) could get injured.

A non-movement violation, on the other hand, has significantly less chance of causing harm to the other road users because the vehicle isn’t moving at the time of the violation. To be more precise, a non-moving violation will likely result in a less serious offense than its moving violation counterpart!

Will I go to jail if I fail to pay my parking tickets?

It is very unlikely that you will be jailed for your unpaid parking tickets. However, there are a few exceptions. And if you don’t want to be jailed, you must make an effort to read and understand all the laws that govern parking tickets. What’s more, you should be aware of your own driving record.

Some of the most common scenarios that might easily result in possible jail term include:

• Driving on a suspended license.
• Removing or tampering the boot on your vehicle (considered theft of city property or trespassing).
• Parking in a handicap-designated space. And while parking in a handicap area seems to be minor wrongdoing, it can potentially put you at risk of facing jail time.

If you currently have a parking ticket or any other form of a traffic violation ticket, don’t hesitate to contact us.

The legal experts at Ktenas boast years of unmatched experience defending traffic-related tickets in the entire Illinois region. From traffic tickets in Chicago to those issued throughout Illinois state, our highly trained, knowledgeable, and reputable Chicago traffic attorneys are always here to find a solution to your case.

We value our clients and that is why we offer a free consultation to our potential customers. Don’t wait any longer! Give us a call today and let our vastly experienced legal team handle your case. Kindly visit our website and get to know more about us.