Parking ticket dilemma. DH was lied to.

[kymom99]

Was this in Cincinnati?

 

[Arielle22]

I know several companies that consider parking tickets the cost of doing business. My last company would pay the ticket for company cars themselves and not require employee to pay and ask to be reimbursed.

Here in downtown Boston you see plenty of delivery trucks with multiple tickets on them.

 

[Jaime4004]

Update. I was slightly wrong. He was servicing the county machines. But a city cop gave him the ticket (for parking in a place reserved for county vehicles).

He also complained to the deputy who told him to park there. The deputy's attitude? "Sorry about your luck."

He went ahead and paid the fine. He's hoping his employer will reimburse him. He's also refusing all future assignments to this county office.

Both he and I are still upset, but what can we do?



I'd love for DH's company to do that.

I think that's terrible, and totally wouldn't let it go. I'd write a letter to whoever is in charge there, let them know what happened, along with the name of the person who told him to park there. Someone has to know what's going on or they'll just keep doing that to other people.

 

[crazyventures]

The thing is that the deputy doesn't have the authority to change the law. If the spot is marked no parking, then that is a no parking spot - someone - possibly your city council or someone in public works - has the authority to change it - not a police officer. They merely enforce the law, they don't determine it.

Its possible that the police officer himself didn't realize this (although he should have) - but ignorance of the law is no excuse for either of them.

This. I would just err on the side of caution and not park where it explicitly tells me not to; many more agencies and departments are involved in the regulation process beyond one police officer and it's unrealistic to assume that everyone knows that you were given the OK to park there.

Another question your husband has to ask: Is a $50 ticket really worth the hassle of going to court and potentially creating a problem for the business? Only you two can ultimately make that decision.

 

[clutter]

I know several companies that consider parking tickets the cost of doing business. My last company would pay the ticket for company cars themselves and not require employee to pay and ask to be reimbursed.

Here in downtown Boston you see plenty of delivery trucks with multiple tickets on them.

Many companies I know of would agree, depending on the type of company. However, they (as well as a number of other common business expenses) are not deductible for income tax purposes. So the company could consider reimbursing, based on the circumstances, but they won't get a deduction as a result.

 

[tvguy]

If they did write it off on their taxes, it would be tax fraud. You can't write off fines.

Well, it's done, so I have no idea the legality. Ask any contractor who has to work in a downtown area, you have to have your truck close, you get a ticket, you either bill the customer or write it off as a business expense.

 

[Lisann]

It only costs him to fight it if he loses. Write a letter to the judge, or show up and talk to him. It shouldn't be a big deal to get it dismissed.

I agree. Show up and explain to judge. Most people won't disagree with a police officer who is insisting, so I think the judge will dismiss the ticket because of understanding your dilemma.

 

[tvguy]

Well, it's done, so I have no idea the legality. Ask any contractor who has to work in a downtown area, you have to have your truck close, you get a ticket, you either bill the customer or write it off as a business expense.

Okay, 2 things.

1) It is in fact illegal.

2) It is usually written off as "parking expense"

Folks that do say they might right off a half dozen tickets a year, so clearly not worth the IRS's time to audit a $150 deduction

 

[bumbershoot]

Which is pretty much what DH did. And he was basically told he was out if luck.

And it was a city ticket. DH showed it to me.

Ah. I didn't get that he talked to the same guy that told him to park there. So what did the guy actually say? How did he excuse it?

Now I'm just curious. You don't have to get so exact if you don't want to.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Ah. I didn't get that he talked to the same guy that told him to park there. So what did the guy actually say? How did he excuse it?

Now I'm just curious. You don't have to get so exact if you don't want to.

I'm not going to talk to DH about it anymore (closed case, and I don't want him to get angry). But, from the way he talked about it, he did talk to the deputy, and the deputy didn't want to have anything to do about it. Sounds like the deputy knew he messed up.

 

[seashoreCM]

What would he have done if the sheriff had not suggested that (or "forced" him to) park there? Was he on a tight schedule?

Recently have a (plumbing) job done and it took much longer than expected. The plumbers complained that they got four tickets for having their truck parked there (on the street) all day. Earlier they said that their normal business requires parking in typical metered or loading zone spaces. I'm sure that their bid for the job included the possibility (or probability or likelihood or certainty) of getting some parking tickets!

Now they brought the wrong truck that did not contain all the tools and equipment they needed, which made the job run longer, but that's another program.

Here in downtown Boston...

Yes it was downtown Boston.

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