How to Fight a Parking Ticket in Tarrant, AL

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 Ala. Code § 32-5A-31, or the citation omitted required information under local ordinance for a valid notice of parking violation.

Legal basis:

Ala. Code § 32-5A-31 requires local authorities to erect official traffic control devices conforming to the MUTCD before parking restrictions are enforceable. Restrictions not properly posted may be challenged as unenforceable.

Required evidence:

• Photograph of the sign or its absence at the cited location
• Copy of the citation identifying any missing required element

Challenge whether the City of Tarrant followed proper procedural requirements for the parking citation, including proper service of the notice, the opportunity to be heard, and compliance with Alabama Code § 11-45-9 governing municipal court jurisdiction over traffic and parking matters.

Legal basis:

Ala. Code § 11-45-9 governs municipal court authority over traffic violations. Due process requires proper notice of the charged violation and a meaningful opportunity to contest it. Procedural defects in the citation or hearing process may support dismissal.

Required evidence:

• Copy of the citation and any subsequent notices received
• Documentation of when and how the citation was received
• Record of any prior hearings or communications with the city

Alabama municipalities must formally adopt parking restriction ordinances by a vote of the city council and publish them pursuant to Ala. Code § 11-45-8. Challenge whether the specific parking restriction giving rise to the citation was properly adopted and whether it was accessible to the public.

Legal basis:

Ala. Code § 11-45-8 requires municipal ordinances to be adopted by formal vote and published. Parking restrictions imposed without proper ordinance adoption or publication may be challenged as unenforceable.

Required evidence:

• Request for the ordinance or council resolution establishing the specific restriction
• Confirmation that the ordinance was published or posted as required by state law
• Copy of the citation identifying the ordinance or code section cited