West Orange, NJ Parking Ticket for Overnight Parking Violation 7-14.1

I was issued a ticket for violating 7-4.1 in May of 2004.  What the officer was trying to issue a ticket for was 7-14.1, Overnight Parking. It was an Error on his part to issue a ticket with the wrong statute.  Since we recently moved to West Orange, I was unaware of this law (the 7-14.1).  And as you can see from my pictures below, at some time or another there may have been signs, but I couldn't find any that were still standing. I can only assume that if the judge said they were there, then they must have been there at one time or another. We'll get to the judge in a little bit.

You will find beautiful welcome signs on the entrances to West Orange, but no signs dealing with overnight parking.  Try to find a sign that states "No Parking on any street in the town of West Orange between the hours of 2 am and 5 am."  I was able to find one at the exit ramp of I-280 West Exit 10.  The sign is on the ground and weather-beaten beyond recognition.  Beyond that one  sign, good luck!

The ticket was dismissed after talking to the prosecutor. She did not want to see my pictures. When I was in front of the judge, and after the ticket was dismissed (naturally),  I asked if I could make a statement.  When I started talking about the lack of signage within the town, the judge said "It's clearly posted on most entrances to West Orange and on all entrances from I-280."  I began pulling out 8 x 10 photos. With that, the judge said "I know what you're going to show me..... You need to show it to the traffic department or bring it up with the town council." The prosecutor kept saying "We've dismissed this ticket Mr. Papendick."

It's all well and good that the ticket was dismissed for me, but I know my neighbors were all ticketed on the same day, as I'm sure others were.

What the prosecutor and judge hopefully realize is that it's not about the $35 fine. It's about honesty and clarity. Thankfully, both the prosecutor and judge possessed both.  I have emailed all council members, the police chief, traffic department and the Mayor with links to this page. Let's hope someone can address this issue.  If this a town-wide statute, post it!! CLEARLY! and then put up the welcome signs where they are missing.