Parking fine

[bambi1981]

I have received a parking fine through the post for an 'ofence' that occurred on 21st November.

One of my friends has said that if you recieve the notice more than 14 days from the stated event it is not enforceable?

Does anyone know if this is the case???

Also the fine was for parking for more than 2 hours in a dhort stay car park, it is a short stay until 18:00 and i got there and 17:58, is this just my bad luck?

[Ethel]

The fact the offence was noted at 17:58 means the offence has occurred.

Was a penalty attached to the windscreen at the time of the offence?

What is the date on the paperwork you have received through the post?

Are you the registered keeper?

[Buenchico]

The police have just 14 days to issue a 'notice of intended prosecution' (which, in most cases, actually results in a fixed penalty) in certain cases covered by criminal law.

However, parking violations on a public car park have never constituted a criminal offence. (Minor on-street parking violations have now also been decriminalized in those areas where the local authority has taken over control of parking from traffic wardens and the police). Such violations create a civil debt (i.e. if you don't pay it, you can be sued but you can't be hauled before the magistrates) and, as such, are covered by civil law where the 14-day time limit does not apply.

Chris