This sucks. Unfortunately, the burdin of proof will be on you. It might be prudent just to pay the fine and move on. If you fight them the last thing you want is some knucklehead inspector from that township/village showing up on job sites and shutting you down even before they've done their homework on the subject(SH).
Serving the Pocono and Lehigh Valley(Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, Pike and Wayne Counties), PA community as well as both Warren and Sussex Counties of New Jersey
If I plead guilty the minimum fine is $50 the maximum fine is $1000. The funny part is that I don't know what the fine will be until I plea. I got two tickets for 2 signs. I called the clerk and she said she's been working there for 29 years and never saw anyone get more than a $100 fine. Since Ridgewood is about 45 minutes away I'm inclined to just plead guilty. The problem with Gary's suggestion is that it is possible that the neighbor saw us put the sign up and called the township. That would blow my whole competitor theory Out of the water. That Might piss them off and then I might be looking at the full $1000 x 2. I'll pay the 200 bucks chalk it up as the cost of business. I posted this for fun it's no big deal
Ed both Gary and Hank make excellent points, lets look at Garys .. " I didn't hang the sign but I did lose a few some time ago." Maybe someone who wants their neighbors to clean their homes up or someone wants me to get in trouble. Now in every crime they must establish " Intent " did you do it knowingly or by mistake? "or did you even do it. knowingly" they have a solid case and you will pay big time....." mistake" not very solid, will try to get what they want which is money and you are on your way. These little town or village courts love to " feel " like they are " real " courts so becareful in how you behave act as if you know nothing and they will hammer you. Try and speak with the prosecuting att before hand maybe you can work out a deal. As far as a witness I wouldnt worry about that you didn't kill anyone. No person who ratted you out is really going to want you to know who they are. Now Hanks Idea fifty bucks or so and you have no problems and no hassels in the future. People who " draw attention " to themselves usually find themselves receiving more tickets in the near future. So I would go in with this as a possible excuse combining both Gary and Hank. I am very sorry for this problem " My company " caused.I have some new employees that misunderstood how I wanted the signs to be used.....{ placed on the lawns of homes being cleaned } I can assure you this won't happen again. Now thats what they like..they know you full of it but your showing a lil respect...they see your not a bad guy...they get a lil money and they forget about you.
Great card to play Pat. I was willing to plea by mail. Ridgewood is 45 minutes away and the court time is a 4:30. So Im leaving at 2 and coming home ? I do know the gammit of working with the prosecutor. I was thinking of just paying the fine and being done with it. Phillis, the court clerk, (I have no idea wit the f*k her name really was) said in the 29 years she never saw over $100. She could be bullshifting me and I get whapped with a $1000, but I didnt sense that from her homegrownness. $100 was the most, most are $50. So, to avoid spending the half a day trip, would you still drive there and goof around with it? Seriously, would you? Im thinking its best to be done with it. If it was closer I certainly would.
The problem is I dont know for sure. But Phillis from Mayberry assured me she's never seen it over $100 in 29 years. If she's wrong I'll eat her children.