Comments on: When Your Government Is Your Enemy http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/11/01/when-your-government-is-your-enemy/ <em>City Paper</em> Writers on News, Politics, the Media, the Arts, and More Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:12:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Baltimore http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/11/01/when-your-government-is-your-enemy/#comment-378739 Baltimore Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:40:53 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/11/01/when-your-government-is-your-enemy/#comment-378739 This is a very bad judge. Videtta A Brown.. Next election, Brown = Bad. Don't vote for Brown Everyone who did not request a ticketer to be present was automatically guilty (They don't inform you of this in the paperwork. This is our lovely law apparently that you don't find out till you show up in court and you cant postpone to get one later/ or they dont let you at least. You have no choice but to be guilty.).. And out of about 30 people who didnt have a meter maid with them, only 1 got off without court costs. Most people had to pay part of the fine also. Quite a few people actually paid more. It was most common for her to decrease the fine by $20 then add court costs which were $22.50. She based her judgement soley on whether the meter maid was requested. She was not equitable or fair. certainly no "judgements" were made. It was all about theivery and collection to her... Strictly out for taking the money from innocent taxpayers. If you had a good story (like a really good reason you should never have gotten a ticket). She might have knocked of at most $30. Big deal when the ticket is a average person's daily salary and then they had to take off work to show up. Judge Videtta A. Brown/ Remember: Brown = Bad This is a very bad judge.
Videtta A Brown..

Next election, Brown = Bad. Don’t vote for Brown

Everyone who did not request a ticketer to be present was automatically guilty (They don’t inform you of this in the paperwork. This is our lovely law apparently that you don’t find out till you show up in court and you cant postpone to get one later/ or they dont let you at least. You have no choice but to be guilty.).. And out of about 30 people who didnt have a meter maid with them, only 1 got off without court costs. Most people had to pay part of the fine also. Quite a few people actually paid more. It was most common for her to decrease the fine by $20 then add court costs which were $22.50.

She based her judgement soley on whether the meter maid was requested. She was not equitable or fair. certainly no “judgements” were made. It was all about theivery and collection to her… Strictly out for taking the money from innocent taxpayers. If you had a good story (like a really good reason you should never have gotten a ticket). She might have knocked of at most $30. Big deal when the ticket is a average person’s daily salary and then they had to take off work to show up.

Judge Videtta A. Brown/ Remember: Brown = Bad

]]> By: Washington City Paper: News & Features: Blogs http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/11/01/when-your-government-is-your-enemy/#comment-96567 Washington City Paper: News & Features: Blogs Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:39:19 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/11/01/when-your-government-is-your-enemy/#comment-96567 [...] ever, gave me the old “I’m special!” feeling. I will use most of the $60 to pay a parking ticket I got in this same neighborhood a couple months ago, which was totally bogus. I think that’s [...] [...] ever, gave me the old “I’m special!” feeling. I will use most of the $60 to pay a parking ticket I got in this same neighborhood a couple months ago, which was totally bogus. I think that’s [...]

]]> By: Washington City Paper: News & Features: Blogs http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/11/01/when-your-government-is-your-enemy/#comment-63428 Washington City Paper: News & Features: Blogs Wed, 21 Nov 2007 15:32:34 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/11/01/when-your-government-is-your-enemy/#comment-63428 [...] that never happened and a charge that doesn’t exist? Lately I feel like a magnet for these bogus tickets, but I can’t be the only sap charged with fictional violations. Can [...] [...] that never happened and a charge that doesn’t exist? Lately I feel like a magnet for these bogus tickets, but I can’t be the only sap charged with fictional violations. Can [...]

]]> By: Jon http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/11/01/when-your-government-is-your-enemy/#comment-60929 Jon Tue, 20 Nov 2007 03:18:25 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/11/01/when-your-government-is-your-enemy/#comment-60929 Just write a letter to the address listed on the back of the ticket. Actually going to court over a parking ticket is absurd, and they're doing away with it. If you're in the right, they actually will forgive the ticket. And if they try and string you along, write your councilmember. Jim Graham helped me get out of two undeserved tickets when the DMV was dragging their feet. Just write a letter to the address listed on the back of the ticket. Actually going to court over a parking ticket is absurd, and they’re doing away with it. If you’re in the right, they actually will forgive the ticket. And if they try and string you along, write your councilmember. Jim Graham helped me get out of two undeserved tickets when the DMV was dragging their feet.

]]> By: Speedvan http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/11/01/when-your-government-is-your-enemy/#comment-44807 Speedvan Sat, 03 Nov 2007 06:56:20 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/11/01/when-your-government-is-your-enemy/#comment-44807 I'm only bothered by a parking meter if I'm at the book store and my time is valuable. The panic of is enough change in the meter time enough to browse the mystery section and avoid that ticket? Whether than worry and explain my fault with a ticket writing cop--I make sure I've unloaded all the change I've accumulated in my car--and you will be amazed as to how comforting that feels. Let somebody else panic over the time that's left after you're long gone. I’m only bothered by a parking meter if I’m at the book store and my time is valuable. The panic of is enough change in the meter time enough to browse the mystery section and avoid that ticket? Whether than worry and explain my fault with a ticket writing cop–I make sure I’ve unloaded all the change I’ve accumulated in my car–and you will be amazed as to how comforting that feels. Let somebody else panic over the time that’s left after you’re long gone.

]]> By: Jamie http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/11/01/when-your-government-is-your-enemy/#comment-44098 Jamie Thu, 01 Nov 2007 18:44:34 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/11/01/when-your-government-is-your-enemy/#comment-44098 LooLoo, I don't think that an officer is required to show up for PARKING tickets... it won't be dismissed on that basis. Good luck with fighting the power. I usually do it on principle, I seem to get off about half the time, having no bearing on the offense or situation. There was one place I used to park that was actually legal, but I got ticketed frequently. Got off on the first one. Next time, I actually enclosed a copy of my dismissal letter from the previous ticket, and was denied anyway!! Mind boggling. Only problem is if you lose by mail, the profitable and snarky parking adjudication system requires you to pay $10 (usually, a significant portion of the fine itself) for the privilege of appealing it again by mail. As well as the fine itself, up front. I am not sure who is stupid enough to do this, since with no recourse after this appeal, you are basically paying $10 more for the privilege of an off chance of trying to get DC to refund some money to you, also sure to be a pleasant experience. Anyway, it's all good fun, go for it!! LooLoo, I don’t think that an officer is required to show up for PARKING tickets… it won’t be dismissed on that basis.

Good luck with fighting the power. I usually do it on principle, I seem to get off about half the time, having no bearing on the offense or situation. There was one place I used to park that was actually legal, but I got ticketed frequently. Got off on the first one. Next time, I actually enclosed a copy of my dismissal letter from the previous ticket, and was denied anyway!! Mind boggling.

Only problem is if you lose by mail, the profitable and snarky parking adjudication system requires you to pay $10 (usually, a significant portion of the fine itself) for the privilege of appealing it again by mail. As well as the fine itself, up front. I am not sure who is stupid enough to do this, since with no recourse after this appeal, you are basically paying $10 more for the privilege of an off chance of trying to get DC to refund some money to you, also sure to be a pleasant experience. Anyway, it’s all good fun, go for it!!

]]> By: IMGoph http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/11/01/when-your-government-is-your-enemy/#comment-44083 IMGoph Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:36:03 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/11/01/when-your-government-is-your-enemy/#comment-44083 it's GOING to change? holy shit, the city will be underwater someday, so i'm just GOING to stop paying rent since my building will be uninhabitable someday. it’s GOING to change? holy shit, the city will be underwater someday, so i’m just GOING to stop paying rent since my building will be uninhabitable someday.

]]> By: BooBoo http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/11/01/when-your-government-is-your-enemy/#comment-44077 BooBoo Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:16:36 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/11/01/when-your-government-is-your-enemy/#comment-44077 Do what LooLoo said, but in lower caps. Do what LooLoo said, but in lower caps.

]]> By: LooLoo http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/11/01/when-your-government-is-your-enemy/#comment-44070 LooLoo Thu, 01 Nov 2007 16:58:40 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/11/01/when-your-government-is-your-enemy/#comment-44070 TAKE A PHOTO OF THE HOURS POSTED ON THE METER ASAP, BEFORE THEY'RE CHANGED, TAKE IT TO TRAFFIC COURT & TELL JUDGE THE COP AGREED THE METER SAID THE CORRECT HOURS. CHANCES ARE THE COP WON'T SHOW UP AT COURT ANYWAY, SO YOUR TICKET MIGHT BE DISMISSED, OR LESSENED. TAKE A PHOTO OF THE HOURS POSTED ON THE METER ASAP, BEFORE THEY’RE CHANGED, TAKE IT TO TRAFFIC COURT & TELL JUDGE THE COP AGREED THE METER SAID THE CORRECT HOURS. CHANCES ARE THE COP WON’T SHOW UP AT COURT ANYWAY, SO YOUR TICKET MIGHT BE DISMISSED, OR LESSENED.

]]> By: scott http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/11/01/when-your-government-is-your-enemy/#comment-44041 scott Thu, 01 Nov 2007 15:18:20 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/11/01/when-your-government-is-your-enemy/#comment-44041 Joe Citizen is to report this and have it effectively voided by the city through a 5-10 minute call to parking enforcement, via their computer system. Joe Washingtonian is to suck it up and curse the skies lest he venture into the bureaucratic hell, where nothing gets done, nerves get frayed, and accountability is a foreign concept. Joe Citizen is to report this and have it effectively voided by the city through a 5-10 minute call to parking enforcement, via their computer system.

Joe Washingtonian is to suck it up and curse the skies lest he venture into the bureaucratic hell, where nothing gets done, nerves get frayed, and accountability is a foreign concept.

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