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1. What do I do if I receive a neighborhood parking ticket in the City of Garland?

The registered owner of the illegally parked vehicle, or the owner of the real property where the parking violation occurred, will receive the citation either by receiving a copy of the citation placed on the vehicle or by mail. If you receive a parking ticket, you have several options. If you do not dispute the ticket, you may pay the ticket online following the instructions on the ticket or the letter you received notifying you of the parking violation. You may also pay the ticket at the Charles E. Duckworth Utilities Building, 217 N. Fifth St., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.   The ticket has a due date and if not paid by the due date you may be charged an additional $25.

2. Can I dispute the ticket?

If you dispute the ticket, you must attend a hearing on or before the hearing date. Hearings take place at the Parking Hearings Office at the Garland Municipal Court. If you do not want to attend the hearing on the hearing date, you may appear at the Parking Hearings Office on the first or third Monday or Wednesday of each month. You will be given a hearing even if it is not your hearing date, although people with a scheduled hearing that date will receive first priority. If you do not attend a hearing on or before your hearing date, you will be presumed not to contest liability for the citation.

3. What occurs at a parking hearing?

When you arrive at the Parking Hearings Office, you will sign in and indicate whether it is your scheduled hearing date. When you are called for hearing, you will meet with a Hearing Officer appointed by the Court. The Hearing Officer will have a copy of your ticket available and will have photographs of the alleged parking violation taken by the officer. You can look at the pictures of the violation along with the Hearing Officer and tell the Hearing Officer any information you believe will be helpful for the Hearing Officer to decide whether you are liable for the parking ticket. You may bring witnesses to testify on your behalf. After the Hearing Officer hears the case, he or she will make a decision and you will be informed of the decision. If you are found not liable, the ticket will be dismissed. If you are found liable, you must pay the ticket on or before the due date to avoid a late fee of $25. Information about your right to appeal is available at the Parking Hearings Office.