Meter bleeder: unconstitutional tickets.

• Author: Doherty, Brian
• Position: Citings - Brief article

A $63 FINE for parking at an expired meter might cost Los Angeles its entire system of parking fines.

In February, Jesus Pimentel brought a lawsuit after getting slammed with what he says is an unconstitutional punishment. He ended up having to pay $175 on the ticket in question after missing the two-week deadline to pay and having various nonstatutory fees added on top of the initial fine. He's suing to prove such a large figure ought to be treated as a violation of the Eighth Amendment prohibition against excessive fines (and of a similar provision in California's constitution).

Because the state threatened to take Pimentel's car or make it illegal for him to drive it if he didn't pay, he considers such a threat without a...