GENERAL REASONS THAT CITATIONS WON’T BE DISMISSED:
SHORT ERRANDS
No errand, no matter how short or how important to the driver short of a bona fide medical emergency, is an
acceptable excuse for illegal parking. A short errand is a very common excuse. It is not a valid reason for
illegal parking.
LATE FOR BUSINESS OR PERSONAL APPOINTMENT
Being late does not permit the driver the privilege of parking illegally.
NO PLACE ELSE TO PARK – THE LOT WAS FULL
Other than being an invalid excuse, this, in fact, confirms the driver’s liability. It is driver’s responsibility to
locate legal parking.
I DIDN’T SEE THE SIGN – I DIDN’T UNDERSTAND THE SIGN
Drivers are required to look for signs when parking. This may mean checking an entire lot from corner to
corner. Drivers are also required to abide by the directions on the signs. A person indicating that they did not
see a sign preventing parking is not an acceptable excuse.
ONLY PART OF MY CAR WAS ILLEGALLY PARKED
A violation is not based on a certain percentage of the vehicle being illegally parked. If part of the vehicle
extends into a restricted area, the violation is the same as if the entire vehicle encroached.
I LEFT SOMEONE IN THE CAR; I LEFT MY PARKING LIGHTS ON OR BLINKING; I LEFT A NOTE IN THE
CAR AS TO MY WHEREABOUTS WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING
Many drivers seem to think that evidence of a short stay mitigates the offense. It does not. The purpose of
parking regulations is to restrict from certain places or permitted at times, motor vehicles, which are not in
motion. The presence of a passenger, a sign or blinking lights does not satisfy this purpose and, therefore,
does not constitute a valid reason to dismiss a violation.
IT WAS ONLY A FEW MINUTES
This explanation is one of the most common claims. Even if true, parking in a prohibited area is still a violation.
NOBODY ELSE GOT A TICKET
Sometimes this excuse is raised as discriminatory enforcement. The officer may have had to leave the area
before checking all the vehicles, however, a parking citation stands on its own.
SOMEONE ELSE HAD MY CAR
The registered owner has joint responsibility with whoever was driving his or her car. Unless it can be shown
by the registered owner that the car was driven without permission, the registered owner, renter or lessee is
responsible for a parking citation.
A
UNIVERSITY OFFICIAL SAW ME PARK AND DIDN’T SAY ANYTHING – OR SAID IT WAS OK FOR A FEW
MINUTES
Generally speaking, employees have no authority to give permission to break the law
or University policy.
Whenever possible,
an officer will caution about illegal parking, but silence by an official does not waive
parking restrictions.
THIS VIOLATION HAS NOT BEEN ENFORCED IN THE PAST
This normally is not the case, however, inadequate staffing or other priorities may give rise to violations not
being enforced continually; but, nowhere does apparent failure to enforce parking laws constitute a valid
excuse for illegal parking.
I’VE DONE IT FOR YEARS – EVERYBODY DOES IT
This is never a valid excuse for illegally parking. Nobody should be rewarded for getting away with prior
violations.
I DIDN'T SEE THE VIOLATION ON MY CAR
This does not excuse you from the violation. Your car was parked illegally and does not excuse you for
breaking the rules.
