School parking ticket, but wrong plate number... What do?

[MuseChaser]

My college costs - $10,000/year
My first year's salary - $12,000/year
My son's college costs - $45,000/year
My son's first year's salary, same job, same state - $52,000/year

Seems about right. I went to a state college as a resident, and he went to an out-of-state school as a non-resident (of the state, not the country), so if anything, he actually did better than I did.

As far as the topic of the thread... is the question, "Can I get away with breaking the rules?" If so, the answer is probably yes. A better question is, "Is it the right thing to do?" The answer is definitely no. You might have the question, "Is the parking regulation logical and necessary?" but that's a question that should be posed in the form of future changes in the campus' legislation, not in the current situation.

You're in the wrong, whether you agree with it or not. Getting away with it doesn't make it less wrong. You're also being fellatious when you state you're probably going to pay the fine anyway. If you were going to probably pay the fine, you wouldn't be so interested in the possibility of getting away with it. Reread everything you've posted on the topic, and you'll see your true colors. Change'em.. you'll be happier in the longer run. A stain on your conscience isn't worth $48. On the other hand, if you have no consience, there's nothing to stain, I guess.

I'm occasionally fun at parties, but used to be way funner.

Molson Golden ... used to think it was great in college (1980)
Then discovered Molson Export...
Then Molson XXX
Then Labatt Brador

Then finally discovered beer....

[winstonscifi]

I have a 21 year old granddaughter and a 16 year old granddaughter. I don't know how you young people make it...truly...it's really tough. But us oldsters didn't have it easy either. I'm not gonna bore you with all this, but, if you take the high road and pay your dues, and play it straight - nothing bad can come of it. If you scam the system and take shortcuts - you may make it, but you have to live with yourself. And more importantly, you have to face YOUR kids in the future and explain to them....anyway, I'm just an old guy who loves this forum - and when someone asks advice (which is what this thread started out to ask) I'll gladly give it.

[Battlerobot]

It's a stupid rule and you probably can get away with it, but at $48 is it really worth the potential trouble? At the end of the day you broke a rule, you should just pay it and get it over with. If not, you can ignore the ticket and they probably won't ever bother you about it again. Your choice.

[TheRoops]

Originally Posted by winstonscifi

I have a 21 year old granddaughter and a 16 year old granddaughter. I don't know how you young people make it...truly...it's really tough. But us oldsters didn't have it easy either. I'm not gonna bore you with all this, but, if you take the high road and pay your dues, and play it straight - nothing bad can come of it. If you scam the system and take shortcuts - you may make it, but you have to live with yourself. And more importantly, you have to face YOUR kids in the future and explain to them....anyway, I'm just an old guy who loves this forum - and when someone asks advice (which is what this thread started out to ask) I'll gladly give it.

Yet here we live in a world that reveres CEO's who scammed the system and have the world while those of us that took the high road without taking shortcuts can be thankful they can afford a BRZ that makes them happy. Luckily, I didn't want kids because I couldn't afford them. Apparently a lot of people can face their kids, in my experience, despite the things they've done.

I digress. Avoid the ticket unless they care. You got yourself half a textbook.

[winstonscifi]

Originally Posted by winstonscifi

I have a 21 year old granddaughter and a 16 year old granddaughter. I don't know how you young people make it...truly...it's really tough. But us oldsters didn't have it easy either. I'm not gonna bore you with all this, but, if you take the high road and pay your dues, and play it straight - nothing bad can come of it. If you scam the system and take shortcuts - you may make it, but you have to live with yourself. And more importantly, you have to face YOUR kids in the future and explain to them....anyway, I'm just an old guy who loves this forum - and when someone asks advice (which is what this thread started out to ask) I'll gladly give it.

Sorry - got a little weepy there. Must have been the Molson Golden talking....

[Yardjass]

In the real world, if they get your plate wrong, the ticket gets dropped no questions asked.


I don't know how it works in the world of campus cop meter maids though. Campus cops are usually insecure enough about not being real cops and tend to overcompensate by taking their jobs way too seriously and ruling with an iron fist. I can't imagine one that is also a meter cop. That must be absolutely horrible.

[Moooiiissst]

Originally Posted by Token11b

Protip: most campus police are actually real police officers.

Another piece of information. That sign with the long descriptions on what you can and can't do? They put those there for a reason. At my place of employment we have a sign that says "it is unlawful to posses any guns, drugs, weapons, ammunition, explosive devices, alcohol on state grounds." That is a small excerpt that it posted on multiple signs as you drive in. We periodically do searches of visitors vehicles and we'll find some of these things in their vehicles and when confronted about it they'll complain because they didn't want to take the extra 10seconds to read the sign that even has a penal code.

Ignorance of the law is not a valid excuse.

I'm not saying they shouldn't have the sign there, I'm just saying that it was hard to catch coming to the parking lot. I do realize those signs are there to enforce the law and that's fine and I agree it was my fault for doing so and I know I won't do that again. I am not saying I didn't learn my lesson, but in THIS specific situation, I would much rather not have to pay and walk away with a lesson learned than have to pay and walk away with a lesson learned anyways.

My mistake was not knowing about the rule. I know the rule now and it won't happen again.

Originally Posted by winstonscifi

You didn't follow the rules. You got caught. Pay the 48 bucks. That's what a stand-up guy would do.

This thread wasn't created for me to try and find a way out. I realize I broke the rules. I have understood that. I will not do it again. However, if I can learn that same lesson without having to pay the $48, why not try to fight?

Getting ticketed isn't an ongoing thing for me. I have only gotten one ticket ever at school and that was my first day at school because I was there for orientation and didn't know I needed a parking pass. I would understand if I had left my car parked in someone's way or even in a parking lot in which I was not allowed or had I broken some part of the parking lot had I crashed into something... but parking backwards? While there is a rule on that, I feel it's not entirely worth $48 considering there was NOTHING at risk in me parking backwards, especially considering the parking lot was practically empty. I don't know, I just think it's a dumb situation and absurd amount of money for something I did that didn't even remotely come to endangering someone's life or property.

Originally Posted by StraightOuttaCanadaEh

Not sure why there's even a discussion. The damn money sucking vampires got the license plate wrong, it's the best day ever. Make that ticket into an airplane and throw that bitch in the river.

lol!

Originally Posted by BaatLuk

Does the license plate number on the ticket match yours? If not, it's not your ticket. Even if they reported it to DMV, it wouldn't trace back to you.

Just curious, which school was this? Where are they asking you to send your payment? If payment isn't going to a court or government agency, definitely just toss it.

It's Cal State Los Angeles. The tickets just go to the Parking and Transportation Center here on campus. I can also pay them online through a service offered by the school. No courts or government agencies as far as I know.

Originally Posted by tacos

has carbon fiber trunk

doesn't want to pay $48 ticket

Me having a carbon trunk is not what gave me the ticket. I wanted the trunk. I was willing to pay for it (granted I got it at an amazing price). I don't want a ticket for something stupid and something I know won't be a repeated offense. If I can avoid paying for a ticket that is technically not even mine, that would be awesome. I'd much rather walk away with a slap on the wrist than a lighter wallet.

Originally Posted by cdq85

ahhhh the old college parking tickets. i used to get them almost daily at my university and never paid one. they threatened to hold my transcripts and not let me walk at graduation if they didn't all get paid. i didn't pay a dime and nothing bad ever came about it.

Holy hell... I don't think I'm on your level yet lol. This is only my second parking ticket under my belt.

Originally Posted by winstonscifi

He also said that he didn't have time to look at the sign saying "front in parking only" because he was late for class, and yet had plenty of time to BACK into an angled parking spot.

As I said before, you broke the rules and got caught.

PAY THE 48 BUCKS!

He is clearly trying to talk his way out of not being a stand-up guy.

And yes, I'm no fun at parties!

I bet you read all of the Terms and Conditions, too, huh? lol.

I normally back up because I don't want to deal with cross traffic as I'm exiting the parking lot and not being able to see my blind spots when doing so. Even though the parking lot was empty, it was still a force of habit. On top of that, I've gotten pretty good at it and do it pretty quickly.

Like I said, too, I know I didn't follow the rules. It was unintentional, but I know I broke the rules nonetheless. However, I have a slight glimmer of hope that I can keep my $48. I know I won't do it again, so why not take a chance?

Unless you enjoy paying taxes, wouldn't you try to avoid paying for a ticket if you had a chance? I'm sure you'll learn from your mistakes whether you pay or not because you know you will for sure have to pay next time. That's my mentality. I'm saying I learned my lesson, but if I can keep my money in the process, why not?

Originally Posted by MuseChaser

As far as the topic of the thread... is the question, "Can I get away with breaking the rules?" If so, the answer is probably yes. A better question is, "Is it the right thing to do?" The answer is definitely no. You might have the question, "Is the parking regulation logical and necessary?" but that's a question that should be posed in the form of future changes in the campus' legislation, not in the current situation.

You're in the wrong, whether you agree with it or not. Getting away with it doesn't make it less wrong. You're also being fellatious when you state you're probably going to pay the fine anyway. If you were going to probably pay the fine, you wouldn't be so interested in the possibility of getting away with it. Reread everything you've posted on the topic, and you'll see your true colors. Change'em.. you'll be happier in the longer run. A stain on your conscience isn't worth $48. On the other hand, if you have no consience, there's nothing to stain, I guess.

No, I know it's not the right thing to do. I realize that. But after having to pay $1k for a single summer class and over $100 for a summer session parking pass that only lasts 10 weeks all out of pocket, I don't feel like giving the school any more money if I don't have to. If they messed up in doing their job, that is their fault. I don't exactly feel like going out of my way to make their lives easier as they didn't do the same for me this semester.

Originally Posted by winstonscifi

I have a 21 year old granddaughter and a 16 year old granddaughter. I don't know how you young people make it...truly...it's really tough. But us oldsters didn't have it easy either. I'm not gonna bore you with all this, but, if you take the high road and pay your dues, and play it straight - nothing bad can come of it. If you scam the system and take shortcuts - you may make it, but you have to live with yourself. And more importantly, you have to face YOUR kids in the future and explain to them....anyway, I'm just an old guy who loves this forum - and when someone asks advice (which is what this thread started out to ask) I'll gladly give it.

And I do appreciate your input! While we may differ in our views, your input and advice is always welcome just as anyone else's is as well! So thank you

Originally Posted by Yardjass

In the real world, if they get your plate wrong, the ticket gets dropped no questions asked.


I don't know how it works in the world of campus cop meter maids though. Campus cops are usually insecure enough about not being real cops and tend to overcompensate by taking their jobs way too seriously and ruling with an iron fist. I can't imagine one that is also a meter cop. That must be absolutely horrible.

How would it get dropped, though? Would I have to confront them about it in order for them to drop it? Or will they see on the system somehow that the plate recorded doesn't belong to anyone?

My fear is having them correct it and telling me to pay it then and there...

[MuseChaser]

Mooooiiiiiissssssst,

You write well, and you don't seem to have taken offense to things I and others have written concerning your situation.. I'm glad, because I didn't mean any, but it's the internet where people seem to be here just SO they can get angry and offended sometimes. Re-welcome. A couple more thoughts, with your permission...

Originally Posted by Moooiiissst

Unless you enjoy paying taxes, wouldn't you try to avoid paying for a ticket if you had a chance? I'm sure you'll learn from your mistakes whether you pay or not because you know you will for sure have to pay next time. That's my mentality. I'm saying I learned my lesson, but if I can keep my money in the process, why not?

Well, I don't enjoy paying taxes, but the part I enjoy the least is actually preparing them. The taxes that I believe are unfair, unjust, or incorrect I still pay because it's the law. I fight the ones I feel are wrong by casting my vote for lawmakers and politicians who seem to be sincere about wanting to change the tax code, and by keeping very careful records and taking every deduction to which I'm entitled. I don't fight taxes by cheating on them. Some folks do, and some folks even get away with it. Again... who do you want to be?

Originally Posted by Moooiiissst

No, I know it's not the right thing to do. I realize that. But after having to pay $1k for a single summer class and over $100 for a summer session parking pass that only lasts 10 weeks all out of pocket, I don't feel like giving the school any more money if I don't have to. If they messed up in doing their job, that is their fault. I don't exactly feel like going out of my way to make their lives easier as they didn't do the same for me this semester.

Sooo... they messed up their job, that's their fault, and you'd like to be the benficiary of their mistake? OK.. here's another related scenario. You go to the grocery store and pickup ten porterhouse steaks @ $15 each along with a bunch of other stuff for a major cookout/party for your dorm/team/frat/whatever. The harried checkout person forgets to hit the quantity key and you notice, as you leave the store, that she only charged you for one of the steaks. What is your reaction?

1. "SCORE!!! FREE steaks... she screwed up! Sucks for her and the store!!!! HAHAHAHaaa!"

or

2. "Oh, man, she'll probably get in trouble. Guys, hang on a sec.. I gotta go back in and pay for the rest of the steaks."

You could easily do either and not get caught. You've already acknowledged in one of your replies that you knew that paying the ticket is the right thing to do. I guess I'm a little confused as to why you'd want to NOT do the right thing? Should one only do the right thing if it's financially convenient?

Best to you.. I'm not putting you down or trying to be preachy. I like the fact that you communicate so well, and that you took the varying opinions in good spirits. I'm just confused as to why you're conflicted about any of this.

Best to you,

Barry

[guybo]

Obviously they put the ticket on the wrong car and that ticket is 100% untraceable. Someone else's plate #, no VIN and vague car description. Flush that ticket.

[winstonscifi]

Hi MOOOIIISSST. After reading your post, I think you are a stand-up guy. You were very kind. I, on the other hand can be very abrupt. I apologize for that. Not everything is black and white. But, rules are there for a reason. I have been a professional driver for many years, and one of the most important rules is: if you can avoid backing up, do it. The rule in that particular parking garage against backing into angled parking spots is a valid one - even if the parking garage is empty. Most drivers are probably not as adept at backing as you are, so they make a blanket policy covering the lowest common denominator. I'm not defending that, I'm just saying that's the way things are. You are a decent guy, and I'm an old guy just trying to give a little advice. Next time I'm in town, you and I can sit down and have a couple of Molson Goldens, and I can bore you with more of my sage advice. I know you'll make the right decision on what to do in this case. Take care, my friend.

[Prmspen]

Originally Posted by MuseChaser

You're in the wrong, whether you agree with it or not. Getting away with it doesn't make it less wrong. You're also being fellatious when you state you're probably going to pay the fine anyway.

I'm going to lighten the mood in this thread by highlighting a word and giggling like the immature fool I am. I think you meant "fallacious"...

Now that's out of the way, I'll add my 0.02. One of the best lessons I learned from my father is to ALWAYS do the right thing. Pay the ticket. You won't regret it.

[MuseChaser]

Originally Posted by Prmspen

I'm going to lighten the mood in this thread by highlighting a word and giggling like the immature fool I am. I think you meant "fallacious"...

Woof.. thanks for the catch. Can't even blame that one on autocorrect..... my bad.

[bkharmony]

Originally Posted by MuseChaser

I'm occasionally fun at parties, but used to be way funner.

Molson Golden ... used to think it was great in college (1980)
Then discovered Molson Export...
Then Molson XXX
Then Labatt Brador

Then finally discovered beer....

Why are there so many Canadians in my life these days!??

[bkharmony]

I see an awful lot of rationalizing by OP. I think he's already decided what to do and just wants his conscience somehow cleared by this group.

Moooiiissst, I suggest you do the right thing and own up to your mistake. And if you don't, you'll have to figure out how to deal with your conscience. All the forum posts in the world won't help in that.