Parking ticket but paid

Question

Has anyone else had luck with disputes regarding parking? It was my 4 year old twins first beach trip and were overly excited and jumping around like toddlers do so I was in a rush. I put in the info on my phone to pay, hit submit and dropped my phone in my purse as my kids were already heading to the beach and I was panicking. Anyway, I got to the beach pulled my phone out for the first beach photo and realized it didn’t go through and I needed to walk all the way back to the parking lot to get my full license plate which I apparently put in wrong (it was a rental so this info isn’t saved in my phone). Anyway I walked back got it set up and headed back to the beach. When I got back to the car we found a ticket on our windshield. It must have been issued as we were walking out of the parking lot the first time because I didn’t see anyone when I walked back. Anyway, I wasn’t trying to not pay but life gets a little crazy when you are on your kids first beach vacation.

Answer

Receiving a parking ticket despite intending to pay can be frustrating, especially when it’s due to a simple mistake like entering the wrong license plate number. On Sanibel Island, parking enforcement is generally strict, but there have been cases where disputes were successfully resolved if the payment can be verified.

Here are some steps and tips for disputing a parking ticket in this type of situation:

Gather proof of payment: If you have a receipt, confirmation email, or screenshot showing that you attempted to pay, this will support your case.
Document the timing: Explain that the payment attempt was made before the ticket was issued and that the error was unintentional due to the rental plate entry and handling toddlers.
Contact the issuing authority quickly: Sanibel Island parking tickets can usually be disputed online or via mail. Be sure to follow their official process and provide all supporting documentation.

Additional considerations:

Rental car issues: Since it was a rental, include documentation showing the correct plate and any rental agreement if necessary.
Be polite and detailed: Clearly explain the circumstances, emphasizing that you fully intended to pay and it was an honest mistake.
Follow up: Sometimes these disputes take a few weeks to process, so keep track of your submission and any correspondence.

Many visitors have successfully gotten tickets dismissed under similar circumstances when they can show that payment was attempted and the violation was unintentional. Acting promptly and providing clear evidence is key.

Parking ticket but paid

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