Parking Ticket Appeals

All appeals of parking citations are handled by the Court of Parking Appeals, or "Traffic Court", which is a court of equity. This court was established by and acts as a standing committee of the University Senate. Its authority is derived from both the University Senate and the Legislature of the State of Kansas. Jurisdiction of the court is based upon an appeal made within ten (10) business days from the time of the parking citation given by the Parking Department. Court authority is final except for appeals made from this court to the Court En Banc.

This means the court will hear both sides of an issue when you feel there are mitigating circumstances that resulted in the violation and/or that you have in good faith attempted to comply with the current parking regulations.

How to Complete the Appeal Forms

1. Ask any questions you may have at Parking & Transit office. A question at this stage of the appeal may save a lot of time and effort later on.
2. Complete the appeal form in detail.
• Give every detail of what happened and every reason you believe applicable to your situation which might bear upon the circumstances of your citation. If there is ANY evidence which MIGHT help the judges find in your favor, be sure to include it with your appeal. For example: copies of repair bills, copies of medical statements regarding disabilities, diagrams of the situation, notorized statements of witnesses, etc.
• Please note that NO appeals will be accepted which give no explanation, or which are submitted only to clear your enrollment hold.
3. Decide whether you prefer [A] a Personal or [B] an Ex Parte Appeal.
4. Turn in the completed forms to the KU Parking & Transit office, 1501 Irving Hill Road, Lawrence, KS 66045-7006. (In the case of personal appeals, the court clerk will contact you in order to schedule a hearing time if your appeal is accepted for a personal hearing).

Ex Parte Appeals

(An appeal without personal appearance.)

An ex parte appeal is the option for those who feel that a written appeal will suffice. You do not appear in court and two judges discuss your case to render the decision. In the event that the judges do not agree, a third will be asked to consider your situation.

Personal Appeals

(There is no guarantee that you will receive a court hearing.)

If you wish to be considered for a personal appeal, you must first complete the written appeal form, including a full explanation of the circumstances that occurred which caused you to receive a ticket. Please be as clear and complete as possible in listing the details surrounding the receipt of your ticket. You may attach any drawings, photographs or other materials you feel necessary to support your case.

A justice of the court will review your written appeal to determine if a personal appearance is merited. This determination by the Court will be based upon set case precedent. If the justice determines that a personal appearance is merited, your appeal will be scheduled of if no court dates reamin held over to the next semester and will be scheduled when court resumes the following semester.

Otherwise, your appeal will be evaluated as an Ex Parte. It is extremely important to provide a full and detailed written explanation on the appeal form. You will not have the opportunity to include additional information to your appeal once it has been submitted.

• You must leave a phone number where your appointed attorney can reach you or where a message can be left. Should the appointed attorney be unable to reach you at the phone number you have provided, the attorney will proceed with preparation and presentation of your case without you.
• You must sign up for a court appearance. Hearings are held in the evening and last about thirty minutes. If you are unable to appear at the appointed time, your defense attorney will present your defense to the court in your absence.