Contesting a San Francisco Parking Ticket: A Comprehensive Guide
Every time I receive any ticket in The City, I turn it over to my attorney. He files for one continuance after another. When he does finally go to court on my behalf, the officer seldom shows up. He pleads “Not Guilty” on my behalf, and the judge dismisses the citation. The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) is notoriously short on manpower.
Unless you can prove that the car is not yours, or have at least three ways to prove the car was at least 100 miles away at the time the ticket was issued, they will completely ignore anything you have to say and confirm the ticket. I once received two tickets 15 minutes apart for parking in a 2-hour zone for 30 minutes in San Francisco, and both were upheld.
Steps to Contest a Parking Ticket in San Francisco
1. Request a Court Date: The first step is to request a court date. This will initiate the formal process and give you an opportunity to present your case.
2. Collect All Documentation: Gather all relevant documentation that can support your case. This includes credit card records, GPS tracking data, and any other evidence that can prove where you were at the time the ticket was issued.
3. Determine the Fine: Find out what the fine is for the violation. This information can usually be obtained from the vehicle tracking database or the ticket itself.
4. Weigh the Cost: Determine if the principle of the matter is worth the time off work and other expenses involved in contesting the ticket. If it's not, it might be more practical to pay the fine and move on.
Alternative Methods of Contesting a San Francisco Parking Ticket
Mailing In a Letter: For a less formal approach, you can simply send a letter explaining why the ticket is invalid. I've done this twice, and both times got the ticket dismissed without any further steps. No hearing or requirement to produce evidence was necessary.
Administrative Review: You can also contest the ticket by mailing it in and asking for an administrative review. If they do not overturn the ticket, you can either mail in an additional request for review or go to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) office to contest the ticket. I recommend going to the office—the hearing officer is more likely to listen to your case if you can talk to them in person.
Conducting the Hearing at SFMTA
At the SFMTA, you will need to pay the ticket, wait for a hearing officer, and then present your case. The hearing officer will pull up your ticket, ask you questions, and assess your evidence. I've found the hearing officers to be very reasonable. If you explain why the car was not there and present some evidence, they will likely waive the ticket and mail you back your money in about two weeks.
Advice: It sounds scary, but the hearing officers are reasonable people. If you act reasonably and have some evidence, they will fix your problem. Make sure to prepare thoroughly and present a clear, logical case.