City of San Diego Parking Division City Parking Administration Unjustified and Overtly Exaggerated Fines San Diego California

August 10th I pulled my credit report and was puzzeled to see a  charge totaling $1225.00 from the City of San Diego. I called the number listed on the report on Monday and was shocked and in disbelief after learning that this charge stems from a 3/2/2013 parking citation in the amount of $325.00. I moved into my apartment on 3/1/13, I was unloading household items from my vehicle the morning of 3/2/13 very early and was parked in my driveway in front of my garage. I received a ticket and disputed it in the justification grounds that I had just moved from Alpine and my landlord never informed me my driveway was not a legitimate parking spot. I was surprised to come out to my vehicle in between unloading trips to see a ticket on my windshield. I disputed the charge with no relief and asked for a warning. I wrote a check for $325.00 on 3/29/2013 and was thought to be in compliance. I renewed my vehicle registration in May. I was never notified that my check on 3/29/2013 was returned for non sufficient funds. If I was aware of this I would have instantly rectified and paid any bank fees. I was informed that notices were mailed to my former address in Alpine Ca twice. I never received any information from my bank or from the city regarding a non sufficient fund problem. I was also informed that the notices were returned to your office. My original ticket, Dispute, DMV, bank and USPS address were updated 3/1/13. If there was an error in transferring of mail leading to mis-communication of status of the citation and check I should be given the opportunity to rectify this situation fairly. Not receiving the notifications and being fined three times the ticket is an unfair and unjustified punishment. 

 I believe that a fine of $925 is overtly exaggerated and unfair considering the legitimate rationale of the mis-communication. The city clearly had my address on file from the ticket, appeal and dmv. I tried to discuss with them the possibility of appealing this fee and making the parking ticket payment of $325. They stated all they have to do is try and contact someone once and even if they dont recieve their notice they stand on a penal code to apply such fines.

   I have a clean driving record and no citations. I am a hard working RN at a city hospital and have raised two children on my own as a single mom.  I also am an activate church member and participate in many volunteer organizational events for the city of San Diego. I have only resided in the city since March and don;t want to have to leave from the mis-treatment received. I have spent 10 years rebuilding my credit report after a divorce and cant afford to have this misunderstanding penalize that. The parking administration refuses to see the situation for what it is there was not a deliberate neglect but a clear case of mis-communication via a  residential move and non forwarded mail and not checking the original citation and dispute with my current address. The city even sent the denial of disoute to my current address so it's a bit unsettling how the choose when to use my new address versus when to deliberatley use the old address.