Expert: Jack Toomey - 9/7/2007

Question
I recently recieved a parking ticket for parking within 15" of a fire hydrant in front of my home in Plano, TX & due to extenuating circumstances, have decided to dispute the ticket and take it before a judge.  

However, when I went to the local court house to request a court date, they apparently had no record of my ticket in the computers or on file.  The only record available was my copy of the ticket, which they then proceeded to make a copy of, then had me sign an affidavit claiming responcibility for the ticket.  They then told me that I they would need to file it that day and I would have 15 days from then to come back and request a date or mail in requesting one.

Seeing as they had no record of my ticket until I came to try to get out of it, is there anything you would suggest I do either when writing to request something (dropping it/a court date) or that I should bring before the judge (other than the original reasons why it should be dropped?

Answer
  The only thing that I can say is that they now have a copy of your ticket, they will probably be able to track down the individual who gave you the ticket, and proceed with their case against you when you come to court.  It's easy to say this now but if you knew then what you know now you might have gotten away with it.  I can't see you making any defense for them not having a record of the ticket since that is immaterial if they have the officer (or whoever gives tickets in Plano, TX) in court.