SC harbor parking citation

I launch my AI from the SC harbor all the time. Sometimes I get a yearly launch pass, but this year, I did not (the pass is attached to a trailer, and I've been using 2 different trailers). I usually don't pay before I launch, and the attendant puts a ticket under my windshield wiper after 9:00am. I always pay that at the harbormaster office before I leave.

In the mail, I received an "Official Courtesy Notice Unpaid Parking Citation(s)", which says that I owe $49 for an unpaid ticket that was issued 06/07/2024 at 9:25am. I was not at the harbor on June 7, so I'm going to dispute it, but it seems difficult to prove that I wasn't there. I was at the harbor on June 5, June 8, June 12, etc., and I never go 2 days in a row. In fact, I covered nearly 19 miles on June 8, and there is no way I'd have enough energy to do that if I'd been on the water the day before (I'm not Mr. X!). However, I don't think that would be a persuasive argument.

Any suggestions on how to proceed?

In any case, I'd suggest keeping all of your receipts when you launch at the SC harbor, as this happened to me once before. That previous one was relatively easy to dispute, as I was there and had paid.

Did you use a CC to pay? If so you have proof on the statement? Do you turn on GPS logging or have pics of you not being there on 6/7? Can send screenshots as evidence that you weren't there.

I have "time stamp" app and take pictures every time I park in a public parking lot, especially if its a pay to park area. You go to the store, get gas, etc., any of those receipts are time stamped?

I would ask them for proof that you're there that day.

Did you use a CC to pay? If so you have proof on the statement? Do you turn on GPS logging or have pics of you not being there on 6/7? Can send screenshots as evidence that you weren't there.

I didn't pay, since I wasn't there. I think I was at home all morning that day, so there's not much to show that can verify that.

is there an option to do trial by declaration? 

I've done that before for a traffic violation (and won), but in this case, there does not seem to be any such option. They simply have a link online where I can dispute the ticket. I did so, but I don't have anything solid to offer as evidence that I wasn't there. Anyways, if they deny my dispute, I'm guessing that there will be some other option at that point.

is there an option to do trial by declaration? 

I've done that before for a traffic violation (and won), but in this case, there does not seem to be any such option. They simply have a link online where I can dispute the ticket. I did so, but I don't have anything solid to offer as evidence that I wasn't there. Anyways, if they deny my dispute, I'm guessing that there will be some other option at that point.

I'd go to their office and ask them how accurate their 'ticket date' is. I have gps enabled on my google account - if you have that, you could show them the 'track' for that day. Another way is if they have a cam shot of the parking lot on that day that they could reference? Or maybe it was on the 2 days that you were fishing but they forgot to mark that you had paid in the office?

Contact the supervisor or sergeant.  Politely state your case over the phone.  He/She will tell you how to proceed and it will be taken care of. 

Contact the supervisor or sergeant.  Politely state your case over the phone.  He/She will tell you how to proceed and it will be taken care of.

The previous time, I wrote a note and it went to the SC harbor and they made the call. Pretty straightforward. Apparently, that's not how it works now, as there is some online form that looks like it has nothing to do with the harbor itself.

I'll be at the harbor today, and I'll ask the harbormaster about it...

I stopped by and talked to the harbormaster today. It turns out that the ticket was issued on June 7, but it's for supposedly not paying on June 5. I was at the harbor June 5, but I paid with a credit card, so it's easy to prove.

Weird that the citation only said June 7. But, anyways, it should be easy to get it dismissed...

We were there at SC harbor last week and got written up as well! We even had our parking permit on our dashboard...

Thankfully my brother who was sitting nearby intervened and pulled out the parking permit to show the harbor patrol. I'll be saving the parking permit just in case I get a ticket in the mail.