I got a ticket last night

So I have been disabled since the 27th of October.  I have worked all my life and never borrowed money from family nor been a burden to society.  I being fiscally conscience of the state of our economy try my best to not be a drain on society.  Actually the disability check I am going to get is from an insurance program through my union that I have paid over $15,000 into so far over the years.  I will draw 1 - 5 months payments maybe, so I am still not affecting the state coffers.

While at the doctors I had the opportunity to get a 'disabled placard' but I declined because the doc wants me to walk more and because I dont want to take a spot from someone who really needs it.

So anyways, last night my brother and his girlfriend drove down from Oregon to Sacramento California were I live to attend a work comp doctor appointment in downtown Sacramento.  So just getting a call from him and with a few minutes to spare.  I decided to go get a pizza for him because they were hungry.  I pulled into the local Papa Murphy's pizza place and there were cars everywhere.  And this lady next to me was taking up two parking spots, which forced me to take up about a third of a handicapped parking spot.  Now mind you I never, seriously never, park in a handicapped spot, albeit I was in a hurry and figured there was room if somebody with a handicap placard needed to park their car.  So I walked in, pizza, walked out in less than five minutes and low and behold I'm getting a ticket.

So what have I learned from this?  What I have always known to be true.  Take advantage of everything that's offered to you, even if you never use it.  It's like the time when I was offered pain meds for my back a few months ago.  And I thought that I could muddle through it, but a couple days later I was wishing that I had went to the pharmacy and got the medication.  So I had to make another trip to the doctor to obtain a prescription for my pain medication.  That was a waste of time.

So here I am legally disabled with paperwork from the doctor to prove it.  And I get a ticket for parking in a disabled parking spot.  So my thinking is go to court, show the paperwork and try to convince the judge that it should only be a fix-it ticket.

Just my thoughts,
Doug

update - the ticket cost $405.00 thats robbery!  I haven't had a ticket in 20 years!