Appealing a parking ticket
Any person who feels that a parking ticket was issued in error should first speak with the officer who issued
the ticket. If it remains unresolved, they may contest the parking ticket by filling out a “Parking Ticket
Appeal Form”. A copy of the form is available at the Saco Police Department, 20 Storer Street, Saco, Maine.
All persons receiving a citation have a right to appeal within 5 days of receiving the ticket. To file an appeal,
complete the form. The administrative review involves no court appearance. The appeal will be reviewed within
five days by either the Chief or Deputy Chief of the Police Department. If the administrative review is
denied, you are obligated to pay the fee noted on the ticket within five days of notice of denial.
General reasons that violations won't be dismissed
Below are some commonly listed reasons given for violating parking regulations. While these reasons may
seem valid to the violator, they are not considered legitimate reasons for violating City of Saco ordinances and
will not be considered on appeal.
• Short errands
No errand, no matter how short or how important to the driver (short of a bona fide medical
emergency), is an acceptable excuse for illegal parking. A short errand is a very common excuse. It is
not a valid reason for illegal parking.
• Late for business or personal appointment
Being late does not permit the driver the privilege of parking illegally.
• No other place to park
Other than being an invalid excuse, this, in fact, confirms the driver’s liability. It is the driver’s
responsibility to locate legal parking.
• "I didn't see the sign." or "I didn't understand the sign."
Drivers are required to look for signs when parking. This may mean checking an entire lot or block from
corner to corner. Drivers are also required to abide by the message on the signs. Saying that you did
not see a sign preventing parking is not an acceptable excuse.
• Only part of my car was illegally parked.
A violation is not based on a certain percentage of the vehicle being illegally parked. If part of the
vehicle extends into a restricted area, the violation is the same as if the entire vehicle encroached.
• "I left someone in the car."
"I left my parking lights on (or blinking)."
"I left a note on the car as to my whereabouts."
"I left the motor running."
Many drivers seem to think that evidence of a short stay erases their offense. It does not. The purpose
of parking regulations is to restrict vehicles from certain places. The presence of a passenger, a note or
blinking lights does not satisfy this purpose and does not constitute a valid reason to dismiss a
violation.
• "It was only a few minutes."
This explanation is one of the most common claims. Even if true, parking in a prohibited area is still a
violation.
• "Nobody else got a ticket."
Sometimes this excuse is raised as discriminatory enforcement. The officer may have had to leave the
area before checking all the vehicles; however, a parking citation stands on its own.
• "Someone else had my car; I wasn't even driving it."
The registered owner has joint responsibility with the person driving his or her car. Unless it can be
shown by the registered owner that the car was driven without permission, the registered owner, renter
or lessee is responsible for a parking citation.
• Violation not enforced in the past, or, “I’ve parked there for years.”
This normally is not the case; however, inadequate staffing or other priorities may give rise to violations
not being enforced continually. Apparent failure to enforce parking laws does not constitute a valid
excuse for illegal parking,
SACO POLICE DEPARTMENT
PARKING TICKET APPEAL FORM
NOTE TO APPLICANT:
(1) PLEASE FILL IN FIELDS WITH DATA FROM YOUR TICKET.
(2) PLEASE WRITE LEGIBLY. IF YOUR APPEAL IS NOT LEGIBLE, YOUR APPEAL WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE DENIED.
(3) BY SIGNING THIS FORM, YOU AGREE TO THESE TERMS.
(4) MAIL TO:
Chief of Police, SACO POLICE DEPARTMENT, 20 STORER STREET, SACO, ME 04072
Ticket #:
(Bold number in the upper right corner)
Location:
Date Ticket Issued: Time Ticket Issued:
Registration of Ticketed Vehicle:
(License Plate)
State of Registration:
Vehicle Make: Type/Model: Color:
Registered Owner’s Full Name:
Mailing Address:
City: State: Zip:
Telephone Number(s):
Number of Issuing Officer:
Type of Parking Violation: Fee:
Reason for the Appeal:
Please use reverse side if needed
Signature: Date:
YOU MUST SUBMIT YOUR APPEAL WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS OF THE TICKET DATE. YOUR APPEAL WILL BE REVIEWED WITHIN TEN
(10) DAYS. FOLLOWING THE REVIEW OF YOUR APPEAL, A DECISION WILL BE FORWARDED TO YOU BY U.S. MAIL. YOUR PENALTY
WILL NOT INCREASE DURING THE APPEAL PROCESS. YOU MAY ONLY APPEAL A TICKET ONCE. TICKETS WHICH HAVE BEEN
PREVIOUSLY DENIED WILL NOT BE REVIEWED AGAIN. BY SIGNING THIS FORM, YOU AGREE TO THESE TERMS.
BELOW FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
Appeal Granted Appeal Denied Amount Due:
Signature: Date:
Notes:
