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Appeal a Citation

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Appeal Online

note Please check the date of your citation, and choose the appropriate link:

Issued BEFORE May 19, 2011

Appeal Citation - OLD

Issued ON or AFTER May 19, 2011

Appeal Citation - NEW



General Information

If you believe your citation was issued in error, you have the option to appeal to Parking Operations within ten (10) business days from the date the citation was issued. Before filing an appeal, please note that a parking permit is not a guarantee of a parking space, just as the lack of a space does not justify a parking violation. Additionally, any student, faculty or staff member must register their vehicle to drive or park on university property, with the permit displayed according to the parking regulations in order to avoid a citation. To review parking rules and regulations, visit the Parking Regulations page.

Grounds for Appeal

Appeals may be granted for two reasons:

  • There is substantial evidence that you did not commit the violation for which the citation was issued; or:
  • You may have committed the violation, but circumstances were not under your control; and:
    • prior to being issued the citation, you made some demonstrable attempt to notify Parking Operations or Parking Enforcement of the situation; or:
    • you can produce written verification form a source who was a party to the situation establishing that the situation was so unusual it cannot reasonably occur again.

Invalid Grounds for Appeal

  • Lack of knowledge of the regulations
  • Forgetfulness
  • Parking for a short period
  • Inability to find an authorized parking space
  • Having the wrong permit for the space used
  • Failure to obtain a temporary permit
  • Failure to notice parking signs
  • Failure to display a parking permit
  • Disagreement with, or inability to pay, the fines

Submitting an Appeal

Methods

Appeals may be submitted either online, by mail, by fax, or in person at the Parking Operations office. Be sure to do so within ten (10) business days from the date the citation was issued.

Online: Use links at top of page
Fax: (812) 855-3949
Mail: IU Parking Operations
Henderson Parking Garage
310 S. Fess Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47401
Requirements

To submit an appeal, you will need to provide:

  • Your full name and mailing address
  • IU University ID number (IU students and employees) if applicable
  • Reason(s) for appeal
  • Citation number and date issued
  • License plate number, including the state in which the vehicle is registered

Appeal Tips

  • Describe the facts of the matter including: when, where, how, and/or why the incident occurred.
  • If extenuating circumstances are presented as cause for appeal, supporting documentation should be included (e.g., accident reports, medical records, auto repair bills).
  • Enclose a photograph, map or diagram of the parking space in question if you believe it will help the Appeals Committee understand the basis of your appeal.
  • Explain how your action did not constitute a violation by applying the parking regulation in question to the facts you have discussed.

About the Appeals Committee

The Parking Appeals Committee (PAC) was established by Indiana University to provide parking patrons with an avenue for appeal. The Committee members, consisting of IU students, faculty and staff, are appointed by the vice-president and consider written appeals for reducing fines or waiving penalties.

Appeals Committee Process

When an appellant submits an appeal, the citation in question is marked to show it is on appeal. This annotation may prevent the appellant from being billed until the Parking Appeals Committee reaches a decision. If the appeal is made after 10 days from the date of citation issue, the customer may receive a bill or charge on their bursar account.

When the committee reaches a decision, the appellant will be informed by postal mail or email (depending on their method of appeal submission). The decision of the Committee is final, and a violation may not be re-appealed unless significant new evidence or proof is submitted.

Appeals Committee Guidelines

The Parking Appeals Committee (PAC) uses the following guidelines to reach a decision*:

  • When you become a student or accept a position with Indiana University, you agree to abide by the rules and regulations established by the university.
  • Your past parking record will be a factor in the decision.
  • Ignorance of the parking regulations is not an excuse. Understanding parking regulations is considered to be the responsibility of a motorized vehicle driver.
  • A parking permit is not a guarantee of a space. Not only is the driver responsible for finding an authorized space, but the lack thereof does not justify a parking violation.
  • The registered owner of the vehicle is ultimately responsible for the citation(s), regardless of who is driving the vehicle at the time of the violation.
  • Students, faculty and staff must register their vehicles to drive or park on university property, with the parking permits displayed correctly to be considered valid.

Possible Appeal Outcomes

checkmarkExcused

If your citation is excused, the parking fine or towing fee has been waived and you will no longer be held accountable. If the violation was paid in advance, a refund will be issued.

checkmarkDenied

If your appeal has been denied, this means that the Parking Appeals Committee considers you responsible for the fine and expects you to pay the entire parking violation fine.

checkmarkReduced

If your citation has been reduced, this means that the Parking Appeals Committee considers you responsible for the fine and expects you to pay the parking violation fine at a reduced rate.

Reappeals

You may reappeal if your first appeal was denied and you wish to provide additional information for a second consideration. Please be detailed and do not simply restate the contents of your first appeal.

*Appellants who submit a reappeal will be no longer exempt from having billing suspended while the reappeal is pending.

Reappeals may be submitted either online, by mail, by fax, or in person at the Parking Operations office. Be sure to do so within ten (10) business days the date of the Parking Appeals Committee decision.

Online: Use links at top of page
Fax: (812) 855-3949
By Mail: IU Parking Operations
Henderson Parking Garage
310 S. Fess Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47401