It is easy to assume that once you find a parking ticket on your windshield, you have no choice but to accept the penalty and pay the fine. However, like many other New Jersey residents, you may be able to contest the ticket. 

It is not always easy to recognize when and where to park downtown or in other places where you pay to park or encounter certain parking restrictions. Therefore, parking tickets are common. This does not mean the issuing officer is always correct, however. As Reader's Digest explains, you may be able to dispute your parking ticket in the following situations: 

• The instructions or signage governing the parking in the area was missing, damaged or otherwise difficult or impossible to see. 
• The statute explaining the parking rules was overly complicated or difficult to understand. 
• You legally qualified for an exemption or exception to the parking rules – such as having handicapped access or there being a holiday in which parking was unrestricted – which the issuing officer failed to recognize. 
• The officer did not legibly print or sign his or her name or correctly describe the make and model of your vehicle. 
• The date and time of the alleged infraction was missing on your ticket. 

It is also a good idea to take photographs, including a time stamp, of any evidence that may support your claim, such as a broken parking meter or unclear signage. You will need to follow the instructions on your ticket regarding how to appeal the charges. There are numerous benefits to successfully contesting a traffic ticket, including not having the charge on your driving record and avoiding a fine. This information should not replace the advice of a lawyer.