Nearly everyone has had a case of the "just gotta." We just gotta run into the store for two seconds, we just gotta get this screaming kid to a bathroom, we just gotta carry this heavy box into the house.
And so, forsaking prudence for convenience, we park where we shouldn't. Sometimes we get away with it, but sometimes we return to find the dreaded ticket on the windshield. A sinking feeling in the stomach, a few kicks to the tire, a cuss or two, a trip to City Hall, and the entire thing is relegated to the realm of bad memories.
But for nearly 100 people, a simple ticket could become a painful lesson.
In July, 94 people were summoned to court for unpaid parking tickets. Of those, only two people showed up for court, which resulted in 92 warrants for arrest being issued.
Special Const. Ross MacAngus explains how the ticket process works, using the example of the most common ticket, which is a $10 fine if paid within seven days.
"Ten dollars is nothing, really, but it's still a deterrent," said MacAngus.
After seven days, the ticket will double in cost, for a total of $20.
If the ticket is still not paid within 30 days, a court summons will be issued and delivered by mail. People can attend the summons and either plead innocent, which will get them a trial in front of a provincial judge, or plead guilty and pay the $30.
If they choose not to attend, and payment is still not received, a warrant will be issued for their arrest.
While an officer likely won't show up at the front door, there is a big chance of being pulled over for speeding or something similar. In that case, instead of getting a speeding ticket, the unlucky driver will end up being arrested.
After this, another court date will be set, where another unpleasant surprise awaits.
"Now, because you put the courts to this much trouble there will be a ticket for around $180," said MacAngus.
"Needless to say, we'd like people to know it's in their best interest to pay their parking tickets on time," MacAngus added.
Can it get any clearer?
