Notification for Old Tickets

[deckscrew]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA

I recently received a "Notice of Outstanding Parking Violtations" letter. Its states that I have three outstanding parking tickets dated 6-13-05, 7-13-05, and 7-28-06 on my car. In the past 5 years I have always been able to register my car. (In California you cannot register a car with outstanding parking tickets).

I have no recollection of these tickets, especially since they are so old. When I called the local authority they said I would have to produce proof that the tickets have been paid. I have only been able to find one cancelled check. I can't find my cancelled checks from 2005. I asked them for proof or copies of the tickets. I was told that they did not keep copies, and that the burden of proof fell on me.

Shouldn't the authority be responsible to provide proof that the ticket was issued, especially since they are so old? I have a feeling this is some kind of bureaucratic/computer screw up that I'm in the middle of.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[patstew]

Foo, 2005 and 2006 aren't that old -- my PD currently goes back to 2002, and I've heard of others that keep them MUCH longer.

You said, "Shouldn't the authority be responsible to provide proof that the ticket was issued, especially since they are so old?" The proof is in your hand -- as long as the registration and the vehicle description match, they're valid tickets.

 

[deckscrew]

You said, "Shouldn't the authority be responsible to provide proof that the ticket was issued, especially since they are so old?" The proof is in your hand -- as long as the registration and the vehicle description match, they're valid tickets.

I don't dispute the registration and vehicle description. As far as I know I never received any of these tickets. I never received a physical ticket or "courtesy notice". This is the first I've heard of these tickets. Furthermore, the DMV will not allow you to register your car with unpaid, outstanding tickets. These alleged parking tickets have never shown up on the vehicle's registration form. This car has been registered every year since 2002.

I think something is wrong if the local municipality can come back 3-1/2 and 4-1/2 years later saying I have these outstanding tickets, even though I was able to register this car. I asked that they show me the original tickets. They said they don't have them. The burden of proof should be on them.

 

[CdwJava]

I recently received a "Notice of Outstanding Parking Violtations" letter. Its states that I have three outstanding parking tickets dated 6-13-05, 7-13-05, and 7-28-06 on my car. In the past 5 years I have always been able to register my car. (In California you cannot register a car with outstanding parking tickets).

Only if a hold has been placed on the registration as a result. Many municipalities do not report parking cites to the DMV ...others do. Perhaps this city has never reported them to the DMV.

There should be a process to contest the citations at the issuing agency or jurisdiction, and you can appeal them all the way in to court should you choose to.