How to Fight a Parking Ticket in Oreland, PA

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

The parking restriction was not properly posted under 75 Pa.C.S. § 6122, or the parking ticket omitted information required by local ordinance or 75 Pa.C.S. § 6109 for a valid citation.

Legal basis:

75 Pa.C.S. § 6122 requires local authorities to erect official traffic control devices conforming to the MUTCD before parking restrictions are enforceable. A restriction not properly authorized and posted under state and local law may be challenged.

Required evidence:

• Photograph of the sign or its absence at the cited location
• Copy of the ticket showing missing or defective required fields

Oreland is an unincorporated community within Springfield Township. If the citation identifies a non-existent 'City of Oreland' rather than Springfield Township, or was issued by an officer of a different jurisdiction, challenge the issuing authority.

Legal basis:

75 Pa.C.S. § 6109 and local ordinance require citations to correctly identify the enforcement jurisdiction. A citation naming a non-existent municipality may be defective.

Required evidence:

• Copy of the citation showing the stated municipality and issuing agency
• Documentation showing Oreland is a CDP within Springfield Township

If the cited violation relates to a residential permit parking zone in Oreland/Springfield Township, verify that the zone was properly established by township ordinance, approved by PennDOT where required, and that all required signs were posted before enforcement.

Legal basis:

75 Pa.C.S. § 6109(a)(8) authorizes local authorities to establish residential permit parking; however, the zone must be established by ordinance and properly signed. An improperly established zone may not be enforceable.

Required evidence:

• Copy of the township ordinance establishing the permit zone
• Any PennDOT approval documentation for the zone
• Photograph of the permit zone signs at the cited location