Legal Question in Traffic Law in New Jersey

Hello. I noticed a parking ticket on my car in the morning on a Wednesday outside my apartment while I was parked amongst other vehicles on the main road of our apartment complex. This road allows parking on all days except Fridays for street cleaning. This happened the day after a snow storm, however, there were no signs temporarily declaring "No parking for snow removal" or anything like that and like I said, I was with other cars. Oddly, my car was the only car ticketed.

The ticket is signed. It had "Prohibited Parking" circled but there was no description as to why, the time it was issued is not filled out, the license plate is correct, but the vehicle make is wrong. There is also no court date.

I was in the middle of other vehicles. It was not an end space, not handicapped, not a turn lane, no fire hydrant, no signs of any kind other than the street cleaning sign for Fridays. I find this so odd. Everyone in the complex parks there all the time. It's legal. I can't figure it out. The car is perfectly up-to-date on everything. I am a law-abiding perfectionist so you can imagine this is really bothering me. By the way, this ticket was not issued by the city. The top of the ticket says Passaic County Sheriff's Department. Which bothers me even more.

First thing we did was take lots of pictures before we moved the car (how we were parked, the other cars, our ticketed vehicle, the lack of "No Parking" signs, the curb, the vehicles parked there the next day, etc.). We even got a neighbor who was parked with us to write a letter stating that she was parked in the same location and didn't receive a ticket (the letter is signed and notarized). I called the police station, said I need to speak to the courts. Called the court house for a court date but they said the ticket is not in the system yet. I emailed the Mayor, no response in days.

I am hoping The LawGuru Team can help shed some light on this confusing situation. Thanks so much, everyone!!!


Asked on 1/03/11, 10:13 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jonathan Mincis Jonathan J. Mincis, Esq. Law Offices

The simple answer is go to Court with your information and speak to the prosecutor, if you cannot work it out with him or her, then present your defense to the Judge advising that there were no signs posted saying "No Parking" you do not need to make a federal case out of it, it is a parking ticket and all you are facing is a fine, maybe the Sherrif's officer made an error, happens, go to Court, present your defense and hopefully the scales of Justcie will tip in your favor and the Judge will dismiss the ticket, good luck

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Answered on 1/12/11, 11:01 am


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