How to Fight a Parking Ticket in Bangor Base, WA

The no-parking sign was absent, missing from the block, obstructed by a tree or another sign, or so faded as to be illegible at the time of the violation.

Legal basis:

A motorist cannot be held responsible for violating a regulation that was not properly posted. Signage must be installed and maintained according to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

Required evidence:

• Photograph of the sign (or lack thereof) taken on or near the violation date
• Wide-angle photo showing the full block face
• Timestamp metadata from the photo

The parking meter was visibly broken, displayed an error, accepted payment but failed to register it, or was not functioning at the time the vehicle was parked.

Legal basis:

Vehicle operators are not required to seek alternative parking when a meter malfunctions. The city bears responsibility for maintaining meter equipment.

Required evidence:

• Photograph of the meter display showing the error or malfunction
• Receipt or bank statement showing payment attempt if applicable
• Timestamp from the photograph

Two or more signs on the block face or pole provided contradictory parking rules, making it impossible to determine the lawful parking restriction.

Legal basis:

Contradictory signs create an ambiguity that must be resolved in the motorist's favor. Enforcement cannot stand when the regulation is unclear.

Required evidence:

• Photograph clearly showing both conflicting signs in the same frame
• Photograph showing the distance between the signs

The ticket contains a material error in the vehicle description — wrong license plate number, incorrect state, wrong vehicle make, model, or color.

Legal basis:

A ticket with a materially incorrect vehicle description is legally defective. The issuing officer must accurately identify the vehicle for the citation to be valid.

Required evidence:

• Copy of vehicle registration showing correct plate and description
• Photograph of the vehicle's actual license plate

The vehicle was parked in violation because of an unforeseen medical emergency affecting the driver or a passenger that required immediate attention.

Legal basis:

Most municipal codes recognize medical necessity as an affirmative defense to a parking violation. The emergency must be genuine and documented.

Required evidence:

• Hospital or emergency room discharge paperwork showing date and time
• Doctor's note or urgent care visit documentation
• Any emergency services record

If the driver obtained a valid visitor pass or temporary parking authorization from the NBK Bangor Visitor Control Center before parking, the citation may be dismissed if the pass was displayed but the officer failed to check it, or if the pass was lost after issuance.

Legal basis:

NBK Base Orders require display of valid authorization but also require enforcement personnel to verify displayed credentials before citing. A pass that was properly obtained and displayed, but overlooked by the citing officer, provides a complete defense.

Required evidence:

• Copy of the visitor pass or temporary authorization for the date of the violation
• Gate entry log or visitor control center record confirming the pass was issued
• Photograph of the pass displayed in the vehicle if available

If the reserved space was not clearly signed, painted, or marked at the time of the violation, the restriction was not adequately communicated and the citation should be dismissed.

Legal basis:

OPNAVINST 11240.41 and base orders require reserved spaces to be clearly identified with proper signage or pavement markings. An unmarked or inadequately marked space does not provide adequate notice and enforcement is improper.

Required evidence:

• Photograph of the parking space and any signage at the time of or shortly after the violation
• Evidence that the reserved space marking was absent, faded, or obscured

Federal installations must provide adequate notice of appeal rights on any citation issued. If the ticket does not state the appeal process, deadline, and responsible office, the citation may be challenged for failure to satisfy due process requirements applicable to federal administrative penalties.

Legal basis:

Administrative citations issued on federal property must comply with applicable due process requirements under 5 U.S.C. § 554 and related DoD administrative law principles. Failure to notify a recipient of appeal rights may toll the appeal deadline or support dismissal.

Required evidence:

• Copy of the citation showing missing or incomplete appeal rights information
• Documentation of the NBK Bangor standard appeal procedure