Got parking ticket in America

stacey777

hi all wondering if anyone could advise me please.

I was issued with a parking ticket in florida this june 08. We were parked facing the wrong direction didnt realise it was an offence cant even remember the origianl fine think maybe $30 dollars or maybe more but any way never paid it. As the car was a hire car the hire car company have sent me a fine for $100 dollars for there trouble and they say I also need to pay the original fine plus any further costs they may add.

When we were on holidays we just totally forgot about it and then when we went home just never thought about it again. question is can they pursue this will i have a warrant or something if i ever try to visit america again.

Tiggergirl

I have no idea how far this could escalate to be honest. If it were me, I would seriously consider sorting it out if I thought I might ever need to rent a car in the USA again.

A few years ago I was involved in a car accident in Nevada - the vehicle behind me slipped on some ice and crashed into me. Luckily the lady admitted full liability to the deputy sheriff so I had the police report reference numbers to give the rental company when I returned the brand new Jeep with a crumpled bumper (oops). I'm glad it got sorted as I have rented a vehicle from the same company in the US since and had no issues.

If it does get pursued in court, you may find you are not able to enter the USA again. The wording on the US visa waiver form is:

"Have you ever been arrested or convicted for an offense or crime involving moral turpitude or a violation related to a controlled substance"

From that I guess if you were convicted of an offence, you risk not being allowed in the US again. Not that I know what moral turpitude is though.

Beebop

Whatever you do - pay it.
For $100 it is not worth all the agro if you do not.
Sorry but I had to smile when you said you got the ticket for 'parking facing the wrong direction"! One of those things I can't get my head round in America like turning on a red light :eek:

Penniesmakepounds

Friends were issued with a parking violation notice whilst holidaying in US. They ignored it. Some time later, after being traced, official paperwork arrived demanding payment or else! They paid up as rather liked Florida and wanted to revisit. Suggest immediate payment.

Middlers

You should have paid it when it was £1=$2

ohmsoft

Beebop wrote: »

Whatever you do - pay it.
For $100 it is not worth all the agro if you do not.
Sorry but I had to smile when you said you got the ticket for 'parking facing the wrong direction"! One of those things I can't get my head round in America like turning on a red light :eek:

Actually this one's in our good ol' Blighty law books (but only in the dark).

"248

You MUST NOT park on a road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space."
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069860

Beebop

ohmsoft wrote: »

Actually this one's in our good ol' Blighty law books (but only in the dark).

"248

You MUST NOT park on a road at night facing against the direction of the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space."
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069860

Goodness Me - well, I've learnt something. Lived in the city for years and always parked overnight wherever I could facing any direction :eek:

*Runs off to locate Highway code and revise*

P.S I hope you looked that up and didn't know the the rule number off the top of your head?????

SomeBozo

My uncle once parked against a fire hydrant and got a fine he ignored.

When he got to America the next year he was refused entry.

Bozo

_Andy_

stacey777 wrote: »

hi all wondering if anyone could advise me please.

I was issued with a parking ticket in florida this june 08. We were parked facing the wrong direction didnt realise it was an offence cant even remember the origianl fine think maybe $30 dollars or maybe more but any way never paid it. As the car was a hire car the hire car company have sent me a fine for $100 dollars for there trouble and they say I also need to pay the original fine plus any further costs they may add.

When we were on holidays we just totally forgot about it and then when we went home just never thought about it again. question is can they pursue this will i have a warrant or something if i ever try to visit america again.

Why do you feel it's acceptable to visit another country, flout their laws (albeit unknowingly), get a fine, fail to pay it, then attempt to get advice to avoid it once you're back?

Optimist

Pay it, they have very long memories in the states

dzug1

A parking offence is not moral turpitude.

Failing to pay the fine may be though I doubt it.

Failing to surrender to the subsequent arrest warrant is more likely to be but I still doubt it.

Perhaps you'd get admitted and immediately arrested!