Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

Railroader · Jun 30, 2005, 08:58 PM

I opened the mail box today and saw an envelope from the university I used to attend. Opened it up and loandbehold a parking ticket for April, 1996.

OK, I know it's not quite ten years... but I was shocked.

It's only $24. Originally $8.

Just thought I'd share with the group(blog).

Ω · Jun 30, 2005, 09:01 PM

Fugitive!!!

-reported

Superchicken · Jun 30, 2005, 09:03 PM

Change your plates

MallyMal · Jun 30, 2005, 09:05 PM

What was that movie that had the kid chasing the dude yelling "2 dollars, 2 dollars, I want my 2 dollars!"

That kid was the first thing that came to mind when I read this.

starman · Jun 30, 2005, 09:16 PM

Better off Dead

ManOfSteal · Jun 30, 2005, 09:20 PM

Please tell me you aren't going to pay! Seriously.

alligator · Jun 30, 2005, 09:26 PM

Please tell me you are not going to pay. There must be a statute of limitations on parking tickets.

Albert Pujols · Jun 30, 2005, 09:41 PM

Please tell me you're not going to pay;

macroy · Jun 30, 2005, 09:42 PM

"10 weeks, 20 papers, that's two dollars.... plus tip"

Ghoser777 · Jun 30, 2005, 10:07 PM

Please, tell me you won't be paying!

sminch · Jun 30, 2005, 10:10 PM

you're lucky - my uni wouldn't let you graduate if you had outstanding library or parking fines. i' dpay, if only to give them credit for their perseverence.

sminch

Kevin · Jun 30, 2005, 10:21 PM

AKcrab · Jun 30, 2005, 10:23 PM

A lot of college campuses don't have a full fledged police force. The "tickets" they issue don't have any legal implications, other than they can turn it over to a collection agency and mar your credit report.

However.. Some of them have real cops, that give real tickets, and I always heard outstanding tickets can turn in to warrants.

Simey?

AKcrab · Jun 30, 2005, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by KevinK

...best +1 ever...

ManOfSteal · Jun 30, 2005, 10:42 PM

You should pay your debts to society and move on. Immediately!

vinster · Jun 30, 2005, 11:53 PM

Like sminch said, I'd pay 'em based on their perseverance alone. Just make sure to back date the check to 1996 and put something creative in the 'for' field.

Or you could wait another 10 years and see what happens.

Q: Do you remember the specific violation they ticketed you for back in '96?

Superchicken · Jun 30, 2005, 11:59 PM

Originally Posted by ManOfSteal

You should pay your debts to society and move on. Immediately!

Wow that was a quick flip...

JoshuaZ · Jul 1, 2005, 03:14 AM

Send them the entire payment... in some weird currency. Like Canadian.

Eriamjh · Jul 1, 2005, 06:02 AM

Send it to them in pennies!

mitchell_pgh · Jul 1, 2005, 06:41 AM

I had a 6 year old parking ticket show up. I paid it as I didn't want it to hit the credit report.

ManOfSteal · Jul 1, 2005, 06:51 AM

Originally Posted by Eriamjh

Send it to them in pennies!

And have them pay for the shipping.

Apple Pro Underwear · Jul 1, 2005, 08:22 AM

Dispute it. They most likely don't have the resources or paperwork to check on it.

Tell them something like:

You made a mistake. I did not own that car at that time.

see if they 1. give up or 2. come up with some evidence or somthing. spend the $25 towards the purchase of a iPod.

mitchell_pgh · Jul 1, 2005, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by Apple Pro Underwear

Dispute it. They most likely don't have the resources or paperwork to check on it.

Tell them something like:

You made a mistake. I did not own that car at that time.

see if they 1. give up or 2. come up with some evidence or somthing. spend the $25 towards the purchase of a iPod.

It was worth my time to just pay it. I was guilty and wouldn't have felt good about the few bucks I might have saved.

Kevin · Jul 1, 2005, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by vinster

put something creative in the 'for' field.

Like "Sexual Services Rendered"

They always like that one.

MacMan4000 · Jul 1, 2005, 10:03 AM

I would have put "Cocaine" in the "for" box

Railroader · Jul 1, 2005, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by ManOfSteal

Please tell me you aren't going to pay! Seriously.

I debating it.

Originally Posted by sminch

you're lucky - my uni wouldn't let you graduate if you had outstanding library or parking fines. i' dpay, if only to give them credit for their perseverence.

sminch

I didn't graduate. I dropped out to take a job working on concept cars and experimental engines. Plus I make more than if I would have graduated. But that's another thread entirely

Originally Posted by ManOfSteal

You should pay your debts to society and move on. Immediately!

You disappoint me! A turncoat so quickly.

Originally Posted by Superchicken

Wow that was a quick flip...

I'll say

Originally Posted by AKcrab

A lot of college campuses don't have a full fledged police force. The "tickets" they issue don't have any legal implications, other than they can turn it over to a collection agency and mar your credit report.

However.. Some of them have real cops, that give real tickets, and I always heard outstanding tickets can turn in to warrants.

Simey?

They carried real guns. I am pretty sure they were a real police force. I have been pulled over and had my plate run a dozen times since that date. I was even convicted of a civil infraction and issued a suspended sentence. I'm not sure they'd issue a warrant for on $24 ticket.

Originally Posted by vinster

Like sminch said, I'd pay 'em based on their perseverance alone. Just make sure to back date the check to 1996 and put something creative in the 'for' field.

Or you could wait another 10 years and see what happens.

Q: Do you remember the specific violation they ticketed you for back in '96?

Perseverance? It's the first notice I have received. I don't even remember getting the ticket! If I do pay though, I will backdate the check and put something funny on it. I might wait and see if I get any future notices.

My wife reminded me that even though I wasn't attending the college during that time, she was. So I probably got it while visiting her. I just don't remember getting it. Oh, it was a parking ticket.

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

Send them the entire payment... in some weird currency. Like Canadian.

AWESOME idea. Maybe in $2 bills and see if I can have a Best Buy experience.

Originally Posted by KevinK

Like "Sexual Services Rendered"

They always like that one.

Hmmm... noted.

mitchell_pgh · Jul 1, 2005, 11:46 AM

For: Wink wink, nudge nudge

Randman · Jul 1, 2005, 11:53 AM

Send in $8 with a backdated check for July 1995.

stevesnj · Jul 1, 2005, 09:16 PM

Is there due process for parking tickets in your state? they should send it to you within a week or so...tell them you wwould of fought it in court and they failed to allow you time for a quick and speedy trial. I wouldnt pay it.

iMOTOR · Jul 1, 2005, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

I don't even remember getting the ticket!

Tell them to pound sand. Statue of limitations has long gone into effect. If you pay it, you reinforce the idea that they can get away with waiting ten years to collect on parking violations.

Depending on the laws in your state, it's probably legal for them to try to collect on a ticket this old, but once you tell them you're not paying, then they're obligated to cease and desist.

College parking enforcement offices commit fraud all the time, relying on the idea that they can bully people into paying tickets when they don't have the time or will to go to court.

Krusty · Jul 1, 2005, 10:38 PM

I would write them a LONG letter describing your current financial hardship and asking if you can pay the ticket in 48 installments of 50 cents each over the next 4 years.

Railroader · Jul 2, 2005, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by iMOTOR

College parking enforcement offices commit fraud all the time, relying on the idea that they can bully people into paying tickets when they don't have the time or will to go to court.

This is in the back of my mind. However, they are a respected university and I really wouldn't expect it of them.

They have had a major change in administration since I attended classes though...

wdlove · Jul 2, 2005, 10:32 AM

Here in Massachusetts they don't allow a person to renew a drivers license, with outstanding tickets. Once you incur several tickets, then the will apply a Rhino Boot.