“She is now “responsible” for approximately $700 in parking tickets.”

“Dear PoPville,

A few months ago, my girlfriend went to go check on her car in Woodley Park to see it had been towed from the normal spot and city construction signs where her car was. She is 100% certain she did NOT park in the construction zone, but instead the city expanded the zone (or moved the sign) to now encompass the parking spot. Her car was towed to Conn Ave., which has limited parking, where it was promptly ticketed multiple times and towed again to the location where she was eventually told her car was. She is now “responsible” for approximately $700 in parking tickets.

First, we tried disputing the tickets through the DMV’s parking payment system.

We wrote a short paragraph as to why we were disputing the tickets and submitted it as per their request along with the tickets for dispute. Today, we got a letter (see attached) that by submitting this paragraph, we waived our right to a court hearing about the tickets. This information was never conveyed, nor is it clear and obvious that by typing a rationale for the dispute, you’d waive a hearing.

At this point, we’re not sure what to do. The paperwork notes the ability to appeal (which we will do), but they’ve also asked for photos (which we don’t have because who takes a picture every time you park?). The city is also now saying we’re delinquent on payment of these tickets (and have added a penalty), when the tickets are clearly in dispute. We’d love to ask the DMV a couple of questions (don’t they have the burden of proof, where does it say we’ve waived our rights to a hearing, why are we responsible for paying the tickets when they moved our car to the wrong place, etc.), but don’t even know where to start.”