Parking Fines Are Unconstitutionally Excessive, Violate Due Process, Claims Class Action Suit

Jennifer Abel
writes in Consumer Affairs about an interesting
approach to fighting parking tickets: a class-action federal suit
complaining that the end result consistutes an unconstitutionally
“excessive” fine.

Details:

Lead plaintiff Jesus Pimentel ran up a $63 expired parking meter
fine, which is bad enough, but the city gave him only two weeks to
pay before doubling the fine. Then there was a $28 “delinquent” fee
and a $21 “collection” fee. Add it all up and Pimentel was out
$175, which he thinks is so excessive it’s
downright unconstitutional, Courthouse
News Service reported. 

Besides the money, Pimentel was miffed when the DMV threatened
to withhold his car’s registration if he didn’t pay up, the city
threatened to boot and impound his car while also holding out the
possibility of civil litigation, damage to his credit rating and
garnishing of his state tax refund. This, says Pimentel, violated
the Due Process clause…..

Pimentel’s fines come to 336 percent of the daily median
income for a Latino Angeleno.

I wrote last month on how the
pettiest end of state enforcement of laws regarding
things like vehicular and body movement can quickly escalate to
life-ruining problems.

[Hat tip: Jeff Patterson]