Parking Citation Assistance Center

ADJUDICATION PROCESS GUIDELINES

PER CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE SECTION 40215
THIS IS A BASIC GUIDELINE ON THE STEPS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE ADMINISTRATIVE
REVIEW PROCESS. THE CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE AND THE OAKLAND MUNICIPAL CODE
ARE THE LEGAL RESOURCES TO EVALUATE THE VALIDITY OF THE CITATION.

FOR STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO ENTERING THE INFORMATION INTO THE COMPUTER CITATION
SYSTEM AND FOR DETAILS ON SUSPENSION TIMES, LETTER CHOICES AND DISMISSAL CODES,
PLEASE REFER TO THE eTIMS CITATION PROCESSING SYSTEM FUNCTIONAL GUIDE.

Receiving a contest:
Citizen receives a citation and would like to appeal it. The forms of record to appeal are:
Online: at https://wmq.etimspayments.com/pbw/include/oakland/dispute_request.jsp.
Citizen can follow the easy step-by-step instructions and upload up to three documents that provide
evidence to support the written testimony. Tickets are available to be contested online 48 hours from
the time of issuance. Handwritten tickets can take up to two weeks to be entered into the online
system, therefore suggest using one of the other methods mentioned below.
In Person
Citizen can download and fill out the Contest Form or bring a letter of explanation for contesting the
citation and use our lobby dropbox. (Forms are also available at the office)
Fax
Citizen can download and fill out the Contest Form or write a letter of explanation for contesting the
citation and fax the completed form and required documents to (510) 986-2699.
Mail
Citizen can download and mail the Contest Form or letter of appeal and mail with the original parking
ticket to:
Parking Citation Assistance Center
250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 6300
Oakland, CA 94612

City of Oakland Parking Citation Assistance Center 1800-500-6484

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Processing a contest:
Once the Public Service Representative (PSR) receives the correspondence, it is sorted and
determined under which category the citation will be reviewed. If contest is received 42 days after
issuance date, it is considered late and contest will be denied. Citations contested within 42 days
from issuance date will have penalties frozen during the review period.
Additional information required for processing certain contests:
Occasionally more information is needed to complete the review, either from the person contesting or
from another city department. Notes should be entered into the citation database.

From City Departments:

o Send for a sign check:
If the citizen claims a sign was missing, faded, bent, obscured by tree branches,
covered by graffiti/stickers, etc., (First look at any pictures provided by citing
technician/officer to see if sign is visible).
o Send for a curb check:
If the citizen claims a curb was not the color indicated by the citing
technician/officer, the paint was chipped or faded, or that it is not a valid citypainted curb. (First look at any pictures provided by citing technician/officer to
see if curb is visible).
o Send for a meter check:
If the citizen claims a meter was missing or malfunctioning.

From the person contesting:

o Stolen-Recovered Vehicle/plate/tab report
When citizen claims the vehicle was stolen. Acceptable documents are: police
report on stolen vehicle and police/storage reports. We need the full police
stating recovery date, invoice from tow yard showing date vehicle came into their
possession, or total loss declaration from insurance company.
o Copy of Release of Liability from DMV (authenticated)
When the person contesting states they no longer own the vehicle

Non Liable Decision:

If the citation is found to have been issued in error, the citation will be dismissed and the appropriate
letter sent to the person contesting. Notes should be entered into the citation database.
Liable Decision:
If a citizen is found liable: a letter (refer to eTims Functional Guide for standard letter options) is
generated to the citizen and mailed to the same address from which the contest was received. Within
City of Oakland Parking Citation Assistance Center 1800-500-6484
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21 days from the date of the letter, citizen has the option to pay the citation or request a hearing
either in person or by mail.
Request for hearing:
In order to request a hearing, citizen must pay for a hearing deposit which is the amount of the initial
citation. If citizen cannot afford the deposit, they must qualify under federal low income guidelines
and submit signed waiver form and proof of qualification.
For in person hearings, once deposit or fee waiver is received and approved citizen is mailed an
appointment letter. The hearing is usually scheduled at least 3 weeks after the request is received.
Hearings are held Monday through Friday 9am -3:30pm at Eastmont Mall Police Substation - 2651
73rd Avenue, upper level.
For hearing by mail request, citizen will receive a letter with the findings and decisions from hearing
officer.
Filling Small Claims Case:
If found liable, and deposit was received, citizen can still file a small claims case by paying filing fee to
the court. The request must be submitted within 30 days from the hearing decision. If the citizen
decides not to file a small claims court case, no further action is necessary since the deposit is posted
against the citation.
If found liable and a waiver was used, payment must be submitted within 10 calendar days from the
hearing decision. A small claims court case can be filled by posting a filing fee with the court within 30
days from the hearing decision date.

City of Oakland Parking Citation Assistance Center 1800-500-6484

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