Deadline Detroit photo
Detroit's $45 fine for an expired parking meter isn't out of line for a major city. But compared to surrounding suburbs, it's far more expensive.
A new class action federal lawsuit says the city wrongfully collects meter fines and late fees and violates drivers' constitutional rights, reports Robert Snell of The Detroit News.
The case seeks to block the city from issuing tickets and collecting fines and fees that exceed amounts set by an ordinance. And in fairness, the suit adds, Detroit should have a $10 early payment discount like some nearby communities.
"Millions of dollars in unlawful and unauthorized fines have been assessed and collected by the defendants as a result of their wrongful actions and to the detriment of tens of thousands of car owners (if not more) who were assessed excessive fines for alleged parking violatio.ns," lawyer Shaun Godwin writes in the court filing.
