parking in a fire zone

[Igovert500]

Ok so like a dumbass, I went to my normal bar on Wednesdays and parked where I normally park: as close to the door as possible.

Low and behold, after coming out, I have a ticket on my windshield. I parked in front of the drive-thru beer distributor that sits right next to the bar. So yeah, I parked pretty much in front of their gate. However, the distributor closes at 9pm, I parked there at 10:20pm. I get a ticket at 11pm. Yes, I did park in a posted fire zone (which somehow I never noticed the signs previously, but they are posted ) So yeah, I screwed up.

So my question is, can you argue it? The distributor closed at 9, and wont open again until like 9am. Yes I parked illegally, but the bar closes at 1am, I wasn't causing a fire hazard (or whatever) at the time I was parked there.

Yes I know I screwed up, I'm just wondering if I have any grounds to argue this. ps. It's in PA if that matters.

Thanks.

[corning_d3]

I highly doubt you'd get this ticket dropped, because fire doesn't care what the store hours are...

[fredjacksonsan]

Parking usually isn't going to be arguable, unless you have evidence that you were parked legally.

In this case, the fire zone is what you were ticketed for....it's 24/7 like corning said. The officer will testify that he saw your vehicle in the fire zone and ticketed it.... you might be able to get out if you parked there in an emergency, but this time I'd just pay it.

[Igovert500]

Figured. Generally I just pay anything that isn't a moving violation. But I just thought this was a bit ridiculous, because the business in question was closed at the time. And it's bar parking...everybody parks there, every week, because it is so crowded. And somehow I missed the signs. Thanks anyway.

[fredjacksonsan]

Yeah, it's a bummer that you park in the same spot for so long, then one day -bam- they choose to enforce it.

[ilgoldstein]

At least you don't have to say to the Judge:

"Yea, I know I blocked the driveway when I parked at the BAR at 10:30 pm, but the BAR closes at 1 am and I would have GOTTEN INTO MY CAR AFTER DRINKING AT THE BAR AND DRIVEN AWAY!"

I don't think the Judge would have been too sympathetic!




Sorry you got the ticket!

[sportsb4life7]

go back at like 3am when no1 is around and spray paint the sign a little and then take a couple pics.... then show to the judge and tell them you couldnt read the signs bc they were spraypainted... or say a large beer disputor truck was blocking the signs and you never saw them....