Everyone knows that parking in a handicapped spot without proper documentation is a crime, but few people are aware just how serious the charges can be. Whether you borrow a placard from a friend to get a better space at a sporting event or actually create your own fake disability placard so you can park in handicapped spots wherever you travel, you can be charged with handicap placard abuse in San Diego. Fortunately, no matter what the specifics of the offense you have been charged with, a criminal attorney can help you fight these serious charges.
Misunderstandings are Common
In some cases, charges may be brought up against someone for an honest mistake. For example, if you and a relative both have handicap placards and you accidentally used the wrong ones. In these sorts of cases, a San Diego handicapped placard misuse lawyer should be able to get the charges dropped right away.
Who Can be Charged
One of the most misunderstood aspects of this crime is that not only will the person who misuses the placard be charged, but if a disabled person willingly provided it to the driver, knowing the driver would misuse it, the handicapped individual may be charged as well. If someone you know was brought up on charges for wrongfully using your handicapped placard, you may want to contact a San Diego disabled placard misuse attorney before the police contact you.
Penalties for this Crime
If you are convicted for this form of fraud, you could face up to $1,000 in fines and up to six months in jail. That is why it is so important for anyone charged with this crime to immediately contact San Diego disability placard misuse attorney. Additionally, if you have a handicapped placard which has been forged or altered, you can also be charged with possession of fraudulent government documents.
Increasing Prosecutions
After a 2015 city report was released stating that 60% of disability placards are abused, the San Diego city council decided to take action to help put a stop to the problem. As a result, now both police and parking enforcement officers are able to cite persons misusing disabled parking permits -and both groups are to be on the lookout for violations of the law. It’s also worth noting that enforcement is strictly enforced at Qualcomm Stadium and other venues where the police monitor traffic.
Peter M. Liss can help you fight these charges. Please call (760) 643-4050 if you have been charged with fraud related to disability parking fraud.
Creative Commons Image by Keoni Cabral
