Word. Also, I wouldn't bet on getting anything out of contesting it. Unless you actually have witnesses to the act, you can't prove a thing, and who's not to say they might get paid off either... =/ (FYL)

exactly what I was thinking

Actually, I *think* that the statuates (at least in the states I've checked) state than any car on the *street* has to meet the operational conditions. So parked on the street, you need to be capable of driving it. Parked in your driveway, it doesn't matter. Doesn't make the cop not a jerk, though.

I agree with #10. In New York, even if your car has been parked for months, if it's on the street and it doesn't have all standard criteria(mirrors, lights, plate, etc) you WILL get fined because it's not considered safe. Again, even if it's been parked for months. Parking not he streets is open to all, so therefore it needs to be safe and standard to drive

Not entirely true. Lots of municipalities have rules on the books regarding "what is allowed to park on the pubic streets", and often times "current registration/inspection/insurance" are requirements. Mostly, it's to ensure that people don't park their unregistered jalopy on the street and leave it there for months at a time. I admit it's unlikely that THIS particular case is codified in municipal code, but don't make blanket judgements like what you're describing, because it will only work out badly for you when you discover how wrong you are. ;-)

If a cop can assume things to fine you, it's an insult to any democratic society. What protection do you have as an individual? If you park a car that don't meet standards to be used in traffic, you can always get a trailer to remove it. A police officer should not have the right to ASSUME that you will drive it. If you park a pile of junk in the street, you should always have the opportunity to remove it yourself or have it removed at your expense if you don't act on a warning. I doubt this FML, and will continue to do so. We're talking about the US, the land of the free, home of the brave (but maybe also the home of the oppressed...)

Didn't you ever learn that democracy and justice are an illusion? ESPECIALLY when it comes to cops trying to give someone a ticket. Just because the cop has no right to assume it doesn't mean they won't. The police is corrupt, like every other human organization in the world.