Today, I called and went downtown after the city incorrectly issued fines against my property and threatened jail time for violating city ordinances, not paying fines, and not filing permits. They told me that, until fines are paid, they cannot correct a thing even though they got the address wrong. FML
Collection
Fall
Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
Today, I went downtown to pay my speeding ticket. After standing in line and arguing with a rude woman behind the desk, I get back to my car only to find an expired meter and a parking ticket. I got a ticket while paying my ticket. FML
Today, a police officer pulled me over. He asked me where I was headed, so I jokingly replied, "Probably to jail after you run my name". He laughed and took my information, only to then arrest me for unpaid parking tickets I never received. FML
Today, I went to city hall to pay for a parking ticket. After returning to my truck, I found a parking ticket on my window. FML
Today, I got a speeding ticket. I wrote a check, and on the way to deposit my fine, I got another one. I put both fines in a box down town, and I turned around to see a cop putting a parking ticket under my wind-shield wiper. FML
Today, after a broken smoke detector in my home caused the fire department to come, I got an angry visit from my neighbor who was upset because she had parked in front of a fire hydrant and got a ticket. She demands that I pay it, "or else." FML
Today, the city shut off our water, because they said we didn't pay the bill. Turns out, it was sitting on their desk the whole time. I guess sending someone out to turn off our water was easier than checking to see if we'd actually paid the bill. FML
Today, I got a call from the county’s courthouse where I used to live saying I was being sued for fraud and expected in court to defend myself. Apparently, my ex took a loan out in my name and now I get to pay $2300 worth of legal fees and restitution to this loan company. FML
Today, I went to my car to discover a note on the windshield from the city telling me that they had hit my car. On top of that note was a parking ticket, also from the city. FML
Today, I got pulled over for violating hands-free law and not having an updated address on my driver's license. Two days ago, I got pulled over for the same reasons. Now, I have four tickets I need to deal with. FML
Today, I had a bit of good news with a letter that stated we were owed money by overpaying Council Tax. I phoned them, announcing myself. However, it turns out we actually owe THEM money, due to an error they made giving me and my husband a discount we weren't entitled to. FML
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Top comments
RememberSchlitz 9
There are often incentives for the people in those government offices to collect fines and penalties. They generally care not at all if the proper person pays the the money, as long as they can check the "paid" box and get one more step toward their bonus threshold. You can try contacting whatever local news station's version of "Seven On Your Side" might be, and if that fails, get an attorney. Should get straightened out with a letter.
coolmike699 26
Filing a lawsuit is a long, time consuming, and often expensive process. Unless you're rich or are a large entity (like a city or a corporation) there's no such thing as an "easy lawsuit". Justice is not easy, equal, or cheap.
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Comments (13)
sasquatchius 3
Comment moderated for rule-breaking.
Why's this an FML? Seems like an easy law suit for OP if the city does anything.
coolmike699 26
Filing a lawsuit is a long, time consuming, and often expensive process. Unless you're rich or are a large entity (like a city or a corporation) there's no such thing as an "easy lawsuit". Justice is not easy, equal, or cheap.
RememberSchlitz 9
There are often incentives for the people in those government offices to collect fines and penalties. They generally care not at all if the proper person pays the the money, as long as they can check the "paid" box and get one more step toward their bonus threshold. You can try contacting whatever local news station's version of "Seven On Your Side" might be, and if that fails, get an attorney. Should get straightened out with a letter.
KingAdrock 16
Exactly. Talk to your local news station, write to your local paper, and/or spread the story on social media. If folks get outraged, you may embarrass city hall into fixing the problem.
Whynotthis 0
What are the fines and supposed violations? I'm sorry, it seems hard to believe that you were just slapped with this for no reason. Do you mean the wrong types of violations are listed on the paperwork? I live in Indy as well and a friend works in the code enforcement office downtown. This seems very strange, or even false, without more detail.
mikbrooke 25
'even though they got the address wrong.' meaning the OP got the fines because they sent it to the wrong address.
Danne696 14
You should be able to contest the fines in court and if there is such an easy mistake as them getting your adress wrong you should win it easily.
palladio1981 3
Exactly! They won't put anyone in jail unless there is a hearing. And no judge is going to put you in jail or make you pay fines because of an error like that. Get the name of the person who told you that and bring it up in court.
Ray_of_midnight 23
Time to lawyer up. You may not even have to sue, as another poster alluded. Receipt of a letter on a legal firm's letterhead is often enough to get the most obstreperous bureaucrats to get their head out of their ass and do what needs to be done to put things right.
AspieGirl88 7
The fact that they've already admitted that there is something to correct, it shows that they can be held liable for this & you are definitely entitled to legal help. With any luck, you can sue them for false accusations & undue stress. After all; THEY are the ones in the wrong, not you.
TheyCallMeDamien 18
Get a lawyer.
fantastamazing 10
Sue