Trivial question about parking tickets

[steve2470]

How are parking tickets classified legally ? I know if you don't pay them, you can be taken to court and fined heavily and/or have a "boot" installed to your vehicle. No, I'm not worried about any parking tickets Only curious.

[Brickbat]

1. I think if you leave them long enough, they can put out a warrant for nonpayment.

Also, they send them to collection agencies, who are scarier than the cops.

[steve2470]

2. is a warrant for non-payment a misdemeanor ? only idle curiosity nt

[Brickbat]

3. I can't remember, and it might vary by location.

Sorry, totally nonhelpful here.

[steve2470]

4. np, thanks :) nt

[Motown_Johnny]

5. Are you thinking what I have been thinking since the SCOTUS ruled on the ACA?

That being forced to pay a fine for not having health insurance is similar to being forced to pay a fine for not putting money in a parking meter?


Of course we would need to be talking about parking meters run by a private, for profit company. Luckily the (R)s love to privatize stuff like this so we can make the connection rather easily.



I'm guessing that any ticket or fine or penalty comes under the government's ability to tax. As I said, I am just guessing.





http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/12736952-418/parking-meter-company-now-wants-nearly-50-million-from-chicago-taxpayers.html

^snip^

The private company that runs Chicago’s parking meter system has sent City Hall another big bill, bringing the total amount of money it’s demanding from taxpayers to nearly $50 million.

[steve2470]

7. I had not thought of that angle but that's interesting

My thinking was more trivial, just curious about how it's classified legally. I've always paid mine promptly and avoided any problems. So, it's either a 3rd degree misdemeanor or something even more trivial.

[backscatter712]

6. YMMV depending on the locale...

Parking tickets are normally classified as violations - the lowest level of offense below misdemeanors and felonies. But consequences of not paying them can include booting your car, which holds it hostage until you pay up, impoundment of your car, a bench warrant that could lead to arrest, escalating charges, bigger fines, etc.

[steve2470]

8. a violation = criminal offense, technically ?

I know all the non-lawyers are getting glazed eyes at this point lol

[PoliticAverse]

9. In asking such questions you must always specify the locality since local laws differ.

In some localities parking violations are civil, in others criminal.

[steve2470]

10. ah ok, thanks nt