goyablog

Just after winning my case against Metro Traffic Police for the mis-citation they gave me, I got hit with a bogus parking ticket on campus near the Student recreation Center where they changed the parking area and put up meters over the summer. To make a long story short, I had continued parking in non-metered spots that appeared to be replacements for the ones Vandy got rid of for meters for several weeks before finally getting a zone violation citation. I appealed online (which doesn’t allow for much testimony or exhibits) and was rejected. I was just about to pay the $30 fine when I noticed that the reason for rejection was the assertion that there were signs posted at all exits and entrances that clearly indicated the zone. This, I knew, was not true — at the entrance to the lot that I always use, the sign says “Visitor Parking 2 Hour Limit” (as it always had), without any mention that this applied only to the metered spots. The other zone signs were way at the other end where I don’t even get near when I come and go, so I could never have seen them. So, I took photos of the signs and the area around where I was parked and re-appealled the citation — and won! Here is the text of the email I received from the Traffic & Parking Manager:

Mr. Figal,

I have received your letter of October 19 regarding the above referenced citation.

Thank you for pointing out this oversight. I have voided your citation. We will make sure that the signs are corrected in that area.

Thanks again,

Lance Hale

At least Mr. Hale didn’t try to do some kind of letter of the law crap and uphold the citation, which technically he could have. However, he did open himself up for the re-appeal by the lazy judgment decision that I’m sure he made without actually investigating the scene, which I invited him to do along with the photos of the mistaken signs.
That makes me two-for-two v. the Law for the month of October.