Bethesda, MD asked in Immigration Law and Traffic Tickets for Maryland

Q: Is it smart for a G4 visa holder to contest a parking ticket (wrongly) issued after 52min in a 1hr parking zone?

Google maps timeline shows me departing 57min after arrival. Obviously it was a mistake by the officer. I wonder what's worse for future visa applications - the parking fine, or whatever records result from contesting and going to court. (In Montgomery County MD contested parking tickets go to trial.) It's $95, so in terms of costs I'm not sure contesting makes sense - especially if the judge were to decline records based on Google maps timeline.

1 Lawyer Answer
Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Rockville, MD
  • Licensed in Maryland

A: Municipal parking infractions do not impact visa or immigration determinations, unless perhaps if you do not pay the fine; however, anyone can challenge a parking ticket by requesting a trial. Paying it, however, will not impact your status or approval of any future application.

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