Q: Can I take take care of a Handicapped Parking ticket without having to drag the guilty party into court?

A: Retaining an attorney to handle this matter may not be cost effective. If the ticket was issued to your son and he is named on the ticket, then he MUST appear in Court. If the ticket has your name based on the ownership of the vehicle, then you must appear in Court. Without knowing the answer to who the ticket was issued to, no better answer is possible. Good luck.

A: NEW JERSEY HANDICAPPED PARKING LAWS

-Prohibit parking motor vehicles in handicapped spaces without a special vehicle identification card; mandate initial and subsequent fines of $250 each and up to 90 days of community services (C.39:4-197.(3)c).

- Authorize municipalities to establish handicapped spaces in front of residences, schools, hospitals, public buildings, and in shopping and business districts (C.39:4-197.5).

Municipalities may establish accessible spaces in front of residences, schools, hospitals, public buildings, and in shopping and business districts. (C.39:4-197.5)

- Municipalities may establish accessible parking zones in front of residences occupied by people with disabilities, unless such parking interferes with the normal flow of traffic. (C.39:4-197.6)

-Enable enforcement officers to enforce handicapped parking laws on both public and private property (C.39:4-138.o).

-Authorize municipalities to set up parking enforcement units that concentrate on shopping centers and malls (C.39.4-197.9).

- Authorize eligible people with disabilities to request law enforcement officers to arrange for the removal and storage of motor vehicles unlawfully parked in handicapped parking spaces or zones (C.39:4-207.7).Temporary Placards (see Fig. 3) can be granted for short-term mobility impairments. Written medical certification from a qualified practitioner is required. Temporary Placards are valid for six months, are renewable one time at the discretion of the issuing authority, and are issued by the chief of Police of each municipality. (C.39:4-206)

• Parking motor vehicles in accessible spaces without special vehicle identification is prohibited and punishable with an initial fine of $250 and subsequent fines of at least $250 and up to 90 days of community service. (C.39:4-197(3)c)

• Law enforcement officers may enforce accessible parking laws on both public and private property. (C.39:4-138.o)

• Municipalities may set up parking enforcement units that concentrate on shopping centers and malls. (C.39.4-197.9)

• Eligible individuals with a disability may request law enforcement officers to arrange for the removal and storage of motor vehicles unlawfully parked in accessible parking spaces or zones. (C.39:4- 207.7)

• Access to parking spaces, curb cuts, or other improvements designed to provide accessibility, shall be unobstructed. Owners or controllers of public parking areas must remove snow or ice from these areas within 24 hours after the weather condition causing the snow and/or ice ceases. Violation of this act is punishable with penalties of $500 to $1,000. (C.394:4-207.9)**

RKING IN NEW JERSEY

NJ Statutes outline the following:

• Every application for the issuance or renewal of a “person with a disability identification card” required every three years, must include medical certification from a qualified practitioner that the qualifying disability continues to exist. (C.39:4-205)

• The “Person with a Disability Identification Card” must be in the vehicle or with the qualified person at all times as proof of disability. This card is for the sole use of the individual with a disability and is non—transferable. Abuse or misuse of this privilege will be cause for immediate revocation of the ID card, placard and plates and fines of at least $250.00. (C.39:4-205)

• Permanent Placards are required to be renewed every three years and will clearly display the date on which they shall become invalid. (C.39:4-206)