Need advice for fighting BS citation
#1
Need advice for fighting BS citation
For the lovely Californians, this is going to be a good read.
My friend borrowed my '03 G35 to pay a visit to the doctor, and upon his return to the car he discovered a ticket on the windshield. My G35 was cited for no front plate (NFP).
Now, usually people on the forums ***** about getting a NFP ticket when they don't have one. I'm *****ing because I got a ticket where there is a front plate on my car. It's mounted on the passenger-side of the vehicle, so it's completely visible to the meter maid who is walking along the sidewalk (parallel parking means your passenger side faces the sidewalk). Why the meter maid chose to write a citation for NFP, I do not know.
It is legal to bend the plate (according to the body shop and a search on Google), as long as the numbers are clearly visible. This was not my idea, my body shop did it for me when I had them paint and install the Nismo bumper, but I saw no reason to remove it.
That specific picture dates back to 9/26/2010, the night I picked it up from the body shop. It has been on the car since then.
But anyways, I hate San Francisco for this. I was born and raised here, but this just makes my blood boil. Any advice? Does anyone know if meter maids take a picture of the front of the car when they issue these kind of citations? What options do I have? Because I sure as hell am not paying the fine.
Thanks for letting me vent.
My friend borrowed my '03 G35 to pay a visit to the doctor, and upon his return to the car he discovered a ticket on the windshield. My G35 was cited for no front plate (NFP).
Now, usually people on the forums ***** about getting a NFP ticket when they don't have one. I'm *****ing because I got a ticket where there is a front plate on my car. It's mounted on the passenger-side of the vehicle, so it's completely visible to the meter maid who is walking along the sidewalk (parallel parking means your passenger side faces the sidewalk). Why the meter maid chose to write a citation for NFP, I do not know.
It is legal to bend the plate (according to the body shop and a search on Google), as long as the numbers are clearly visible. This was not my idea, my body shop did it for me when I had them paint and install the Nismo bumper, but I saw no reason to remove it.
That specific picture dates back to 9/26/2010, the night I picked it up from the body shop. It has been on the car since then.
But anyways, I hate San Francisco for this. I was born and raised here, but this just makes my blood boil. Any advice? Does anyone know if meter maids take a picture of the front of the car when they issue these kind of citations? What options do I have? Because I sure as hell am not paying the fine.
Thanks for letting me vent.
#4
Tech Info Resource
iTrader: (2)
California law says this:
Apparently whomever wrote the ticket didn't see your plate, so you're fighting the "clearly visible" aspect of this.
5201. License plates shall at all times be securely fastened to the vehicle for which they are issued so as to prevent the plates from swinging, shall be mounted in a position so as to be clearly visible, and so that the characters are upright and display from left to right, and shall be maintained in a condition so as to be clearly
legible.
legible.
Apparently whomever wrote the ticket didn't see your plate, so you're fighting the "clearly visible" aspect of this.
#5
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by knihc2008
How is the plate attached to the car? You can get cited for no front plate if the plate is not attached in some permanent manner (aka screws); thus, zip ties or tape will still get you a ticket.
#6
Lexus Fanatic
Fix:
Have a police officer (preferably a family member or friend) sign off on the fix-it ticket, given they are more flexible in interpretation of vc and see the front plate as compliant.
But given the level of enforcement regarding missing front plates lately, I'm not surprised by this. A conventional mounting of front plate would be a better long-term solution to avoid future citations.
Have a police officer (preferably a family member or friend) sign off on the fix-it ticket, given they are more flexible in interpretation of vc and see the front plate as compliant.
But given the level of enforcement regarding missing front plates lately, I'm not surprised by this. A conventional mounting of front plate would be a better long-term solution to avoid future citations.
#7
Tech Info Resource
iTrader: (2)
knihc2008 brings up a good point here. How is the plate mounted? I'm not sure about San Francisco's local law, but many FLP regulations require that it be mounted on a factory-bracket, though you can use a custom, personalized license-plate frame if you want. Factory-brackets are (usually) designed for the center of the front bumper.
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#8
Lexus Champion
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But...lookee right here:
(2) The installation of a license plate security cover is not a violation of this subdivision if the device does not obstruct or impair the recognition of the license plate information, including, but not limited to, the issuing state, license plate number, and registration tabs, and the cover is limited to the area directly over the top of the registration tabs. No portion of a license plate security cover shall rest over the license plate number.
A casing, shield, frame, border, product, or other device that obstructs or impairs the reading or recognition of a license plate by an electronic device operated by state or local law enforcement, an electronic device operated in connection with a toll road, high-occupancy toll lane, toll bridge, or other toll facility, or a remote emission sensing device, as specified in Sections 44081 and 44081.6 of the Health and Safety Code, shall not be installed on, or affixed to, a vehicle.
A casing, shield, frame, border, product, or other device that obstructs or impairs the reading or recognition of a license plate by an electronic device operated by state or local law enforcement, an electronic device operated in connection with a toll road, high-occupancy toll lane, toll bridge, or other toll facility, or a remote emission sensing device, as specified in Sections 44081 and 44081.6 of the Health and Safety Code, shall not be installed on, or affixed to, a vehicle.
As much as I'm sure you don't want to pay it, I don't think you're right on this one, mang. No tag = no registration. No registration = invalid plate. Invalid plate = NFP ticket.
Big Mack
#9
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
That said, my front plate is now screwed onto the factory bracket and then taped onto the front end to avoid having holes in the front of my car.
#10
Lexus Champion
San Francisco meter maids are the worst. I avoid parking on the streets as much as possible when I'm there. I usually try to find a parking structure where I can avoid meter maids for that exact reason.
Sure it's more expensive and less convient to park in a structure, but you don't have to worry about feeding the stupid meter and risk getting a hugh fine.
I've lived in SF for a long time and don't miss the constant parking ticket taxes the city likes to impose in its citizens and visitors. SF hates cars.
Sure it's more expensive and less convient to park in a structure, but you don't have to worry about feeding the stupid meter and risk getting a hugh fine.
I've lived in SF for a long time and don't miss the constant parking ticket taxes the city likes to impose in its citizens and visitors. SF hates cars.
#12
I believe it is a fix-it ticket with a $25 'documentation fee', but I'm not exactly sure. The ticket itself is in my friend's possession.
...I cannot see tags for registration, which are supposed to be displayed at all times unless a cover is on the car, at which time the officer or meter maid may lift the cover so as to ensure the car is, in fact, registered. They can't very well pry off the bumper to see the tag, so you got a ticket.
As much as I'm sure you don't want to pay it, I don't think you're right on this one, mang. No tag = no registration. No registration = invalid plate. Invalid plate = NFP ticket.
Big Mack
As much as I'm sure you don't want to pay it, I don't think you're right on this one, mang. No tag = no registration. No registration = invalid plate. Invalid plate = NFP ticket.
Big Mack
Thanks for the feedback guys, its all very helpful insight. Keep it coming.
#14
Originally Posted by dmv.ca.gov
5201. License plates shall at all times be securely fastened to the vehicle for which they are issued so as to prevent the plates from swinging, shall be mounted in a position so as to be clearly visible, and so that the characters are upright and display from left to right, and shall be maintained in a condition so as to be clearly legible. The rear license plate shall be mounted not less than 12 inches nor more than 60 inches from the ground, and the front license plate shall be mounted not more than 60 inches from the ground, except as follows...
#15
Oh boy......
....as a cop in CA
No, you can not bend, modify, or do whatever to your plates that would hide the state, tabs, numbers/letters, or do anything that would mutilate the plate.
The parking maid probably did not see the plate, it is kind of low.
I'd say, just pay the small fine.....or....get some bolts, nuts, some kind of metal frame, and fashion a bracket that will mount through the mesh of your bumper.
If you fight it, you will lose. Sorry, but it is true. They will just think you put the plate on so you can fight the ticket.
....as a cop in CA
No, you can not bend, modify, or do whatever to your plates that would hide the state, tabs, numbers/letters, or do anything that would mutilate the plate.
The parking maid probably did not see the plate, it is kind of low.
I'd say, just pay the small fine.....or....get some bolts, nuts, some kind of metal frame, and fashion a bracket that will mount through the mesh of your bumper.
If you fight it, you will lose. Sorry, but it is true. They will just think you put the plate on so you can fight the ticket.