Legal Question in Traffic Law in Florida

I live in a low traffic neighborhood with old brick roads (1910 era), the roadway is just big enough for two cars to drive on but the residents park on both sides so its only possible for one car to drive down the road at a time. I came home for lunch and parked directly in front of my house with the driver side door facing the house (as most the residents in my neighborhood due). 30 minutes later when I left for work I had a parking ticket stating my car was facing the wrong direction on the road (a law I did not know existed). There are no markings on the road showing its a two-way roadway and no signs warning where a car can be parked. I've parked this way in front of my house since I moved in almost 3 months ago. I contacted the police department to discuss the ticket and they connected my with the office. I asked him about the ticket and how he could write one for a law most residents clearly do not know exist, and if anything why not just a warning. He's statement was "I do not write warnings and now you know it's wrong so you wont do it again". He also stated "I am not the final say and you can take it to court but if you loss you will have to pay court cost, my cost and the ticket". I would like to fight this because I do not think it is fair. Do I have any ground in court? This is in Florida.


Asked on 6/27/12, 11:17 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Craig Epifanio Craig Epifanio, P.A.

Yes you can be ticketed for parking in the wrong direction. The officer is under no obligation to write a warning (although that would have been fairer). And the fact that everyone else does it, and may even continue to do it, is not a defense either. Of course, the old adage, ignorance of the law is no excuse holds true here as well. You could hire an attorney, although it will surely cost more than the parking ticket. You could go to court though and ask the judge to lessen the fine or see if the officer shows up (unlike what you may have heard, they usually do).

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Answered on 6/27/12, 11:59 am


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