In most cases, parking enforcement and the associated parking ticket fine is under the authority of local or municipal jurisdiction. This means that virtually every city has different laws regarding parking ticket fine payment, as well as rules regarding unpaid parking ticket penalty administration. In most cases, however, a parking ticket fine that is unpaid will accrue unpaid parking ticket penalty fines, such as a delinquent parking fine on top of the original fine amount. In some cases, the fine amount varies depending on how long after the citation a driver remands payment for the fine.
Unpaid parking ticket penalties in most municipalities are simply additional fines for drivers. However, accrual of multiple unpaid parking ticket fines can result in more invasive penalties for drivers, such as towing of their vehicles or application of immobilization devices, such as a boot. If a driver does not address a delinquent parking ticket fine and other parking ticket citations, they may require legal assistance to remedy this situation. In many cases, a negotiated settlement for large fine amounts is possible through legal intervention. Additionally, through a parking ticket appeal, some citations may actually be dismissed. Without an attorney, a parking ticket appeal or other favorable outcomes to multiple outstanding parking ticket fines is unlikely.
Parking enforcement, if deemed necessary, can actually tow vehicles of persons with multiple outstanding fines. In these situations, which commonly occur in large cities, drivers vehicles are illegally towed, damaged, and property is stolen. Additionally, illegal collection actions for parking ticket fines may occur. Having an attorney represent your interest in these cases, as well as work to rectifying existing parking ticket issues is highly beneficial for drivers.