How to Fight Parking Tickets in the City of Brookline

Seeing a ticket tucked under your windshield wiper is never the highlight of anyone's day, especially when you are in the City of Brookline. If you have received a citation for a Handicap or Ramp Violation, you are looking at a base fine of $100.00. While this is certainly frustrating, it is important to take a deep breath and look at your options. Ignoring the ticket will only make things more expensive and complicated down the road, so let’s look at why this happened and how you can handle it using the Busted web app.

Handicap and ramp violations are enforced strictly to ensure that public spaces remain accessible to individuals with disabilities. In Brookline, this violation covers a few different scenarios. The most common is parking in a designated handicap spot without displaying a valid placard or license plate. However, it also includes blocking wheelchair ramps or curb cuts. Sometimes, drivers park too close to the corner or the driveway apron, inadvertently blocking the ramp used by wheelchairs and strollers to access the sidewalk. Even if you were only there for a minute, enforcement officers are vigilant about these specific infractions due to their impact on public accessibility.

Fortunately, you have options if you believe the ticket was issued in error. Dispute angles often depend on the specific circumstances. If you have a valid handicap placard but simply forgot to hang it on your rearview mirror, you have a very strong case for dismissal. Most authorities will waive the fine if you can provide proof that you held a valid placard at the time of the violation. Other dispute grounds might include faded or missing signage that made it impossible to identify the spot as restricted, or perhaps the curb markings were obscured by snow or debris. If your vehicle was disabled due to a mechanical emergency, providing a tow receipt or repair bill can also help your case.

This is where Busted comes in. Our web app is designed to streamline the process of managing your parking tickets. Since disputes are supported for the City of Brookline, you can use our platform to contest the citation. We help you gather the right information and present your evidence clearly. If you have a valid placard that wasn't displayed, or photos of poor signage, you can upload them directly through our interface. We guide you through the steps to ensure your appeal is professional and complete.

If you decide that disputing isn't the right path—perhaps you honestly didn't see the ramp—you can also use the Busted web app to pay the fine securely. It is crucial to act distinctively because penalties in Brookline escalate quickly. If payment is not received after 21 days, a $10.00 late fee is added. If the ticket remains unpaid after 42 days, the penalty jumps by another $40.00, and the matter is referred to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), which can place a hold on your registration renewal. Whether you choose to fight it or pay it, handling it promptly via Busted is your best bet to avoid these extra headaches.