RE: offTopic sort of~parked in handicap at school, got citation, advice??

[Guest guest]

My son has a permanent placard (or maybe I need to look at mine and see if I

need to get it renewed!) I got it after he had a meltdown outside of Whole

foods and threw himself on the pavement in the middle of the road. No one

asked if I needed help. I had to throw down my groceries and get him to the

car by myself. It was NOT easy. then I decided that sue to the possibility

of these tantrums happening at times for no explainable reason, and the fact

that he can have sudden anxiety attacks, and that a woman with a special

needs child is vulnerable to getting mugged --being able to park as close as

possible to a door is warranted.

My son's doctor wrote the order (it's a form they fill out). You take it to

wherever you pay for your auto tags and they used to charge five dollars,

but I think there was a law suit and now you don't have to pay for it.

Hope this helps.

[Guest guest]

> I have seen online where some people with Autistic kids have temporary parking

> passes, I don't know if that's available in Texas, but even if they are not

I'd

> rather get hit by my son than pay the 500 fine.

> Do you think if I get a note from the doctor, they might dismiss the charge as

a

> warning or at least lessen the fine.

*****This information applies to CA only. Contact your local resources to see

if it applies in TX.

At your arraignment, plead not guilty. You can explain your circumstances and

request to pay a reduced bail pending trial [if bail in TX is required in

advance].

At trial, see if the officer appears. If s/he does, explain about your son

hitting you, show a doctor note and/or IEP and/or other document of disability,

and ask if he will agree to dismiss the charge in the interests of justice,

reduce the fine, and/or modify the charge. It will also help if you show him

that you subsequently obtained an official handicapped parking placard, so apply

for one now. You may need to agree to attend traffic school in exchange for the

dismissal/reduced fine/modified charge.

If the officer does not agree, make your plea to the court.

If the officer does not appear, ask the court to dismiss the citation.

Dana

[Guest guest]

You should be given the opportunity to appear in court and challenge a municipal

citation. I would do that, and explain to the official why you parked in

handicap parking and that you are seeking a parking pass for his disability.

Pam

>

> I'm so used to parking in handicap places at my son's school because we have

> been given permission to do that for years because of his Autistic meltdowns.

>

> I don't normally park in handicap places anywhere unless it is a big event

like

> Plano's Balloon festival where my son hit me continuously the whole way

walking

> to the gate, finally one of the people driving golf carts helping handicap

asked

> if she could help & drive us.

>

> Today was an event at a new school (tons of cars) and after I moved my car

after

> citation (not by school officials or the peace officer, but by a cop driving

by)

> and parked far away, he hit me the whole time walking back to the school.

(He's

> almost 14 and packs quite a punch)

>

> I have seen online where some people with Autistic kids have temporary parking

> passes, I don't know if that's available in Texas, but even if they are not

I'd

> rather get hit by my son than pay the 500 fine.

> Do you think if I get a note from the doctor, they might dismiss the charge as

a

> warning or at least lessen the fine. We can't afford it, and I didn't know it

> was that much! Most schools have understood our situation and allowed us the

> access. But we never needed a sticker or pass until now.

>

> Any advice would be appreciated. ....anna

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, you need to get a handicapped parking voucher from your Doctor and take

it to the Department of Public Safety and have it legal, not just verbal

from the school.. I doubt that it would be dismissed unless the principal of

the school were to write a letter or accompany you to the court.. The

handicapped tag is good for a number of years.. we all have been where you

are, just get it legal.. I hope this helps.

Corinne

_____

From: [mailto: ]

On Behalf Of winnchimes

Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2010 2:02 PM

Subject: [ ] offTopic sort of~parked in handicap at school, got

citation, advice??

I'm so used to parking in handicap places at my son's school because we have

been given permission to do that for years because of his Autistic

meltdowns.

I don't normally park in handicap places anywhere unless it is a big event

like

Plano's Balloon festival where my son hit me continuously the whole way

walking

to the gate, finally one of the people driving golf carts helping handicap

asked

if she could help & drive us.

Today was an event at a new school (tons of cars) and after I moved my car

after

citation (not by school officials or the peace officer, but by a cop driving

by)

and parked far away, he hit me the whole time walking back to the school.

(He's

almost 14 and packs quite a punch)

I have seen online where some people with Autistic kids have temporary

parking

passes, I don't know if that's available in Texas, but even if they are not

I'd

rather get hit by my son than pay the 500 fine.

Do you think if I get a note from the doctor, they might dismiss the charge

as a

warning or at least lessen the fine. We can't afford it, and I didn't know

it

was that much! Most schools have understood our situation and allowed us the

access. But we never needed a sticker or pass until now.

Any advice would be appreciated. ....anna