Expert: Leslie - 11/11/2006

Question
Hi

Could you help me by giving me some advice on how to reply to a Car parking Fine I got when I parked my car in a invalid car park space.

I was working at the time and it was a life or death situation where I had to go and visit a patient where she was dying. I just parked and went inside to see her. On my return I had got a ticket on my windscreen. It is part of my job that I use my own car for visits of patients as I’m a registered carer.

Any help to put together a letter would be grateful as I have received a fine for $105 dollars.

Regards

Lyn


Answer
Lyn,

I am not sure a letter will do what you want. I would take the option of going to court if I could.

The judge, who ultimately makes the decision in these cases, will want proof of your life-or-death situation. He or she may find cause for leniency because of your corporeal work of mercy. You may want to ask your patient or the patient's family to write a letter for you specifying that on the date and time of the ticket, you were performing life saving acts.

Your letter will also need to include information about your job. Whether you work for yourself or a company, you will need to have not only records of your work, but some official status of your training or company. If you cannot produce these items of proof, then the judge will simply see your request as a ruse.

Once you have this information, the letter is simple. Address the letter to the person who makes the decision. Give the date and time of the ticket. Explain that you were  in a life or death situation, point to your items of proof (the letter and your status that would be attached) and ask that the court excuse your ticket because of the circumstances.

Good luck.

Leslie