Mom Fighting Insane $100,000 Parking Violation Wins First Round

[@tayzonday]

Fight the good fight! ✊🏾🙏🏽👏🏽

[@entltyq]

Ya!

[@razormonkey5000]

You're a living legend Chocolate Rain guy👍

[@InstituteForJustice]

Thank you!

[@guyforlogos]

Fighting this isn’t enough, this so reeks of corrupt local government that criminal investigations by outside entities must remove any officials that do this to the citizenry. I can’t honestly imagine a city council voting for such excessive fines. Did they? Or was it city management that levied these fines?

[@PremiumUserUltra]

@@guyforlogos the outside is filled with just the same. Accountability will watch them all.

[@kmg501]

Honestly this appears to be a criminal abuse of law...

[@jamesrice4072]

"Embarrassed"? I've never seen one criminal who was embarrassed. Why should this be any different? I'd like to see that city go bankrupt.

[@keres993]

The fact that the government is fighting this case is utterly insane and is reason enough to reject their authority. The people of Lantana need to wake up and remove the corrupt officials pushing these criminal policies forward.

[@workonitm8]

Time for things to start going "BUMP" in the night.

[@rcairforceone]

Using their citizens as ATMs.

[@solventtrapdotcom6676]

Consent has been rescinded. Continue upon this path at your own peril.

[@dallaswright4543]

@@workonitm8 Better believe it

[@einyv]

The city/ state should be embarrassed for its attempted thievery.

[@robanddawnramcharan6408]

Well, sure. But you don't get to play at that level of city or state government by being capable of embarrassment.

[@workonitm8]

They have NO conscience, morals, or shame.

[@EddyTheLion]

4 real

[@patrickday4206]

No they should actually be scared that they aren't shows that they don't think themselves accountable and feel insulated from their illegal and unethical actions!

[@EnigmaEuslam]

The legal system is beyond repair if a law like this can ever come close to being enacted. Our founding fathers went to war over circumstances far more reasonable than this lunacy.

[@jeffkoehne4852]

Went to war for a one half percent tax increase

[@EnigmaEuslam]

@@jeffkoehne4852 The specifics don’t really matter anymore because the level of absurdity to which we’ve confounded language has reached historical proportions. “Social constructs,” are as deadly serious as agreeing with each other over the colors red and green during rush hour traffic and we have people refusing to acknowledge this. As unfortunate as it is, I don’t see us educating our way out of this kind of absurdity. There will be blood.

[@cbonesteaksauce3833]

Yeah, suddenly the stamp and tea tax doesn’t seem as unreasonable.

[@josephdestaubin7426]

As an undergraduate in history, I dislike when people make statements like this about the founding fathers Because one can not generally make blanket statements about a large group of people. But in this case, your statement is in fact more or less true.

[@patrickday4206]

@@jeffkoehne4852 c Kinda they went to war because they didn't have any way to participate with the system which is pretty much what is happening now if people can't pay copious amounts of money to a lawyer there is no justice!

[@Kahless_the_Unforgettable]

The public officials who did this need to go to jail. Winning this lawsuit isn't enough. This kind of garbage needs to stop. And it's not going to stop until there are consequences. Be human beings. It's not that difficult. If you notice that you aren't being a human being (for instance, if you fine someone 100,000 dollars for parking in their own yard), then correct your error. Don't force that person to sue you to correct the error. If you do that, you deserve prison.

[@dosadoodle]

This particular case might be a sign of deeper corruption within that particular city. If that is the case, that should then warrant prosecution and prison time. Otherwise, it's unclear what the city officials would be prosecuted for otherwise. Being a complete ***hole doesn't mean one is breaking any laws. So if they are just jerks, at least the city officials can still lose their jobs in the next election (or sooner if they are unelected officials -- put pressure on the elected officials to fire people in government who are clearly not trying to serve the community).

[@Kahless_the_Unforgettable]

@@dosadoodle , I understand that. My comment is about the way things should be. Not the way things are. Basically I'm saying we need some sort of law that accounts for this type of extreme malfeasance, and punishes it accordingly. Perhaps a new amendment to the constitution that requires local government to treat their constituents like human beings, and not property. And I understand how difficult it would be to write and enforce such a law. None of that is important. Because again, my comment is about how things should be. Not how they are.

[@usmcmustang2972]

If there was a death penalty for creating ordinances or laws that are unconstitutional .... you would NEVER see these types of cases. NEVER.

[@Kahless_the_Unforgettable]

@@usmcmustang2972, Absolutely agree. Of course the death penalty would stop this type of junk. Contrary to modern theory, the Death Penalty is an extremely good deterrent to behavior society doesn't approve of. But I don't think it needs to go that far. Any consequence at all should be enough to keep these idiots from doing this garbage. Save the Capital Punishment for people who cause death. (Note: If the mother would have committed suicide because of the insurmountable financial destruction the city caused, then we would have a very different discussion. Everyone responsible, from the writer of the law, to those that voted for it, to those that enforce it, should be eligible for the Death Penalty).

[@workonitm8]

@@usmcmustang2972 The process of elimination ?

[@marcelledbetter7296]

Tyranny 101. There is a City Inspector on the loose with a Napoleon Complex, a fresh ticket book and a brand new ink pen.

[@jeffkoehne4852]

And his name is Darryll or Darren or some other commune name

[@LadyLithias]

Hubby and I moved into our first home after getting married. It was a rental, and we had plans to buy a house as soon as possible. The City Inspector was a constant pest over the most insane things. (It's been 20 years, so I don't remember every absurdity). The final kicker was when it was time for us to move out. The moving truck was to be at our home at 7 am on a Saturday. This was in Late July, in a suburb of Phoenix. Our plan was to work on Thursday and Friday in the coolest hours of the day, to get the majority of our stuff out onto our driveway and in our carport. On Friday it was 108* in the early afternoon. We were in the house, packing in the air conditioning, talking about the upcoming move, when we get an irate pummeling knock on the door. It's the city inspector, and he was looking like he'd blow a fuse. It was *not okay* under any circumstances, for us to leave our stuff out on the driveway. We explained that we were moving the next day. "It doesn't matter, you need to move it back into your house, *right now* or you'll get a citation." I told him, "we can't move it indoors right now, it's not safe to do all that work in this type of heat." and we went back and forth. His asinine insistence that we couldn't have stuff in our driveway was jaw-dropping in the ignorance and nitpicking. Finally, I clarified, "So we need to bring it all into the house, right?" and his response was "Yes, and you'll get a citation if you don't. I'll be back tomorrow to see that you've done it." So we agreed that we would definitely see to it immediately. And proceeded to ignore his demands. He had already proven his how much of a power-trip he was on multiple times before.

[@codyprice0295]

They’re looking to gentrify.

[@davidhibbs3396]

It's okay tho...we've got rope. The individual will be found.

[@aland1618]

A per day fine is illegal when you don't get the notification for a year.

[@thisrandomdude_]

It's insane how someone looked at her car and thought, "hmmm, this clearly violates parking laws" It's so trivial, honestly mind-blowing that someone wants her to be fined _a hundred thousand dollars_ for THIS.

[@noanyobiseniss7462]

They use these fines to target individuals to get them out of their community. Someone has it out for her that is running things.

[@poohsplaylist4913]

@@noanyobiseniss7462 Absolutely right. Depending on the age of the "law," it could have been enacted to keep BIPOC from moving into affluent areas. It's not unusual.

[@GeneralChangFromDanang]

@@noanyobiseniss7462 I was targeted this way at my old house, I think because I was a younger guy in a neighborhood of older people. Well, as time went on, the neighborhood got worse and worse and they kept pestering me. I finally walked away and let the home foreclose. It is now a crack house. Sometimes, these people need to just leave well enough alone.

[@solventtrapdotcom6676]

Why would there even be such a law? Ridiculous.

[@skidjs]

@@poohsplaylist4913 BS!

[@skepticcontrarian7477]

Good luck to IJ in all your endeavors. Godspeed!

[@doranvee5944]

Hearing about things like this makes my blood boil! Typical city that could have helped her but chose to hurt her. Terrible!!!!

[@dosadoodle]

Meh, I've lived in several cities, and I've never heard of anything like this. There are extra rules to follow in cities, which is needed for so many people to function in such close proximity, but never do I hear about this sort of thing except through these special case studies. Taking these rare cases of a city abusing their power and generalizing to all cities is no different than people saying all folks who live outside of cities must be uneducated. Such a statement about people outside of cities would be, ironically, an uneducated statement. It's a poorly thought out generalization based on a small number of unrepresentative examples.

[@DISABILITY-ADVOCATE-ASK4HELP]

They don’t give a fuck-- they want ur money, obedience and property

[@doranvee5944]

@@dosadoodle Power, control, and money. Cities aren't trying to help everyone and everything function well. They are in it for themselves. You have an awful amount to learn. Maybe you either work or should work for a city, because you sound like the typical nonsense governmental worker.

[@workonitm8]

It's all about THEM and their ideals with no consideration for you and your rights as the property owner.

[@workonitm8]

@@DISABILITY-ADVOCATE-ASK4HELP Like hungry vampires, YOUR BLOOD satisfies their thirst.

[@ubergeek1968]

How can it be illegal to park on your own grass?

[@bornfree3124]

When the city fines a Resident how does that help the people of that City, it seems to only help the corrupt officials running the Town.

[@workonitm8]

"Home Owners Association" but administered by a band of thugs. I'll NEVER buy a property that is under the dictatorship of an HOA. (I'll never be a "ho" for an HOA)

[@samsmith4887]

look up what a 'resident' is....u will have your answer

[@harles5000]

Thanks Rebekah and Ari well done, this insanity is abusive and irrational!

[@MustPassTruck]

In order for fines to be valid, the issuing authority should be required to verify the recipient knows they are breaking a rule, how often they will be fined, and how much they will be fined.

[@doranvee5944]

👍🏾👍🏼👍🏻👍🏿👍🏽

[@obsidianmoon13]

Last time I checked, "knowingly" and "intent" were two important legal words.

[@dosadoodle]

I think that's reasonable for long-recurring fines. But taking that idea as you've defined to all fines wouldn't work. People will lie and can claim ignorance indefinitely. "I didn't know I got a warning ticket left on my car for blocking a fire hydrant. Must have blown off in the wind so I didn't get it." There are reasonable efforts to alert and then there's what happened in the video, which is the city abusing its power to levy excessive fines to raise money, in this case off of "gotchas" that didn't harm or obstruct anyone else.

[@meatybtz]

@@dosadoodle There is legal precedence for this being solvable. Primarily the same method as used for being "served" papers. But the core issue here is that cities, states, and counties, are viewing their people as a piggy bank to farm fines and taxes on for their own ends.

[@MustPassTruck]

@@meatybtz That's what communism turns into. The people are cattle to the powerful.

[@meganc243]

I'm proud of you guys!

[@vpstumpy]

Fire all of the people that fined her

[@tomc.4860]

I live in the Free State of Florida which is normally well run and decent place to live but this is grossly criminal what they're trying to do to this woman. All these HOAs need to be outlawed and all the cities need to be investigated when they have fines like this. Thank God for the institute of Justice. Thank you so much for your hard work and trying to protect American citizens from their own government.

[@workonitm8]

These matters should be resolved by a jury of their peers not a clan of the elite. Have you noticed that ALL public positions are held by the upper class (which totally does not understand or care about the needs and concerns of the "peasant" class beneath them.)

[@player6970]

Any Governmental entity must not have the power to fine anyone, Every so called violation needs to be processed thru the Courts!

[@janpersson9818]

I struggle to see how you can have a law preventing you from parking wherever you want on your own property. As a Swedish person I have always been puzzled by the mistrust of the government in the US but this and other videos such as those explaining civil forfeiture laws does give some insights.

[@Aidames]

And then we call it the "Land of the Free", haha!

[@michelleisker343]

This is ridiculous!! It’s your land your house. This is an over the top for government.

[@mikesmith-po8nd]

You don't own it. If you did then why do you have to pay the government rent on it ( property taxes) every year, and if you don't, they will take it away from you?

[@workonitm8]

As said earlier,...........E X T O R S I O N !!!

[@michelleisker343]

@@mikesmith-po8nd darn good question

[@ladyjade6446]

Such insanity in the world.

[@kutunuikunikuni1301]

Awww look... The three people who thumbs down must be City Officials.

[@ownageeagle]

Sounds like the fines were designed so that the city can take her house

[@roydadancegod]

100k for parking, wow that local government is being really greedy for money

[@workonitm8]

Time to water the tree of liberty.

[@prex345]

Ridiculous.

[@camilavasquez7227]

The four dislikes must be from that corrupt town

[@carolbabb7875]

Wow! Sounds like a class action lawsuit against the State of Florida in a superior court should be filed for allowing this to happen.

[@rayluse744]

Instead of fighting the fines, stop the government overreach of trying to control every little thing citizens do on and with their own PRIVATE PROPERTY!!!!!

[@surveyorslife7638]

Dear IJ, please keep up the hard work.

[@andrewhofmann5453]

I would look and see what big corporations have their eyes on this property. Then trace it back to the corrupt politician and make a legal case against them...

[@workonitm8]

I believe all HOA's are grass roots connected and run by mafia figures.

[@economywatch]

Good work guys, thanks for all you do.

[@markstallings943]

When you allow any one to dictate what you can do with your land it always turns into this.

[@workonitm8]

Basically, you have transferred ownership to them and you become the steward or occupier of the land.

[@ronelitzur856]

they are nickel and diming her to death. this is soulless petty citation enfordement.

[@satelitemikedatapro2498]

How many people nationwide have had shit like this happen to them and are not lucky enough to have the IJ or similar organization helping them? Has there been any nationwide studies on municipal fines and how much money they bring in or how often it gets out of control like this case?

[@lightningsrt4707]

Once again no common sense and just government greed.

[@MyNextShotWontMiss]

Thank you all for the good work you do.Thank you for talking about it here too so people see what's going on.

[@williezar2231]

I have you on my list to donate (again) and I hope others help support your important work for those of us that would otherwise have everything we've worked for taken by the state.

[@payanyprice4710]

Thank you IJ.

[@mafosa8519]

Makes me wonder if her property is being sought after by a developer? Just sayin!

[@ladyjade6446]

Totally

[@JonHeckendorf]

Somebody wants her property.

[@DISABILITY-ADVOCATE-ASK4HELP]

Ya I’m trying to achieve access to public records related to my own similar incident and the city here REFUSES to comply with public records laws... I want to show a pattern and follow the trail of what happens to the properties

[@workonitm8]

@@DISABILITY-ADVOCATE-ASK4HELP HOA is a FOR PROFIT agency. Go figure.

[@DISABILITY-ADVOCATE-ASK4HELP]

@@workonitm8 I’m not in an HOA

[@leeuniverse]

If we had a Law that required PUNISHMENT (Prison and/or Fines depending on the infraction) for anyone in Government or ANY Organization that infringed on people's basic human rights, ALREADY settled LAW, then we wouldn't be having most of these problems. Those in power would think twice about abusing people.

[@adcolt54]

My question is who is damaged by her parking her car on a small section of grass on her own property?

[@firewoodtime2]

I've heard this is to do with agenda 20 and 30. My uncle and aunt sent a video about it. It's crazy.

[@calebfielding6352]

In all truth after the lawsuit is over I hope she goes after the guy that fined her every day without actually going to her house. If nothing else its fraud. You saw her car is parked wrong one day so you fine her every day for a year without checking again. Go after that guy personally.

[@nadien1958]

actually, city officials need to ne "FIRED" and all fines dismissed. its not the city property

[@o0Avalon0o]

It's shameful that Florida enacted some controlling HOA fine into such a harmful law. This is gross misconduct.

[@The-KP]

I'm so glad IJ took this case, it's why I donate to them. I remember when this case hit the news, it was so completely absurd. IJ upholds the original meaning of 'esquire' when they assist people facing battle with deep-pocket government lawyers, such as this homeowner. May justice prevail!

[@peccatumDei]

A motion to dismiss is almost always a government's first response. If there's a sympathetic judge the case might go away, and if not, there's no penalty, no downside for the government. I'm really happy to see this move forward.

[@jaytab3686]

Have you ever looked at the county auctions that happen every week? The counties in Florida do this then auction your house to pay the fines. Then you get evicted. They do it all across Florida every week

[@jittersgeyser620]

Reminds me a bit of my dad. The IRS right now is garnishing a bit over 50% of his social security. He's 75 and is below porverty from that.

[@katie-st8nx]

I needed good news today. From the bottom of my heart thank you for helping people.

[@amberbest6942]

Going through the same thing at our residence. Thanks you for the advice and terminology.

[@deanrobinson2453]

The government has no right to aminstrait your property without Consent.

[@danielbush6882]

"The $165,000 that Sandy owes is a result of daily fines that the city assessed for property code violations. Most of this amount is a result of the way Sandy's family parks their cars. Sandy, her two adult children and her sister all own cars so that they can get to their jobs. When all four cars are parked in the driveway, sometimes one of them has two tires on the lawn, a $250 per day violation. And those fines continue to accrue until the homeowner corrects the problem and calls the city to inspect the property to confirm it is in compliance." Wow, this is stupid. This is obviously oppression.

[@roselynn816]

Despicable. So sad.

[@rodleypumpkins4174]

I would almost bet anything she knew about the fines and said fuck you until it got to where it’s at now.

[@izitmepattavina8651]

The fact this law exists highlights a problem much deeper.

[@RobertMinkler]

The sad thing is that the city doesn't see how insane those fines are. They don't care who they hurt

[@jho7781]

If she didn’t receive formal notice I would think there is no case

[@CharlesHuse]

For starters, the city's "punishment" is unconstitutional under the 8th amendment

[@PositiveROI]

We need to repeal these laws and ordinances

[@workonitm8]

There should be periodic reviews and culls to avoid the despotism we're headed for.

[@wekapeka3493]

Laws are all written by lawyers for the financial benefit of lawyers.

[@o0Avalon0o]

Jeeze, I thought our area was bad for giving out curb tickets to people no where near the curb, this is a whole new kind of nasty.

[@davidpriestley1650]

Every daily fine should be documented on their side, so they should have photographs of every infraction. If just one fine is not documented then the legality of the rest can be called into question, along with every other citizen who has been fined - which means its time for a class action.

[@theresak.7475]

What EVIL extortion!!!! What kind of greed and evil-driven, power-abusing officials and rules!!!

[@jeremyashford2145]

A propos of nothing: Lantana is deemed to be a noxious weed in New Zealand.

[@mrbigmoney2081]

Thank you for helping people in situations like this...I wish I knew about you all when fighting my local government for similar circumstance, that cost me a heart attack and a stroke + 5 years of me life battling to keep my own property 🤕 I found out the hard way that I can read and write law...I made it further than anyone else in the same situation representing themselves! I didn't win, but I prevailed 🙏

[@erik61801]

my town does this lame stuff. I dont recall signing an HOA contract with them. What they do is put a lien on your house, like say mow your yard for 2500 bucks and hold that made up number over your head.

[@mikemiller9119]

Finally, some case updates!

[@johnmiller3159]

Whom signed what. Who is the individual that is liable!

[@garymckee448]

You don't own anything in this country.

[@misterknight3901]

In Florida? Wow!! I'd thought Maryland, New Jersey, New York etc. This is insane!! When crap like this happens, it's a cancer, and massive removal of the govt officials needs to happen.

[@pikecollisionllc9868]

3 thumbs down are from money hungry politicians.

[@trex2621]

If I was an American, in situation like this I would exercise my 2nd amendment rights in full extent to protect my 4th amendment ones.

[@workonitm8]

Just keep applying pressure until something POPS !

[@TheTannertech]

Thank you IJ. Seriously amazing work, I support your every effort.

[@kreilly421]

Very important and meaningful work you guys do there. Keep fighting the good fight 💪

[@rogersundeen4022]

Great job, IJ. By fighting for Sandy, you're fighting for each of us. God speed.

[@MYOB990]

I'm surprised there aren't mass shootings at City Council meetings. They certainly deserve such a fate more than a bunch of people at a concert.

[@writereducator]

Bless you, IJ!

[@ABGAN100]

How is it even constitutional for the government to tell someon what they can or cannot do with their own property?

[@tomc.4860]

Please government officials have prosecutors absolutely disgust me. They can stand there with their high-paying jobs and think it's okay to take everything this mother of three has. They want to take the house they want to garnish her wages they want to steal the future of all her children. They are worse than any criminals walking the streets. They disgust me

[@jameshaynie4570]

While you are fighting the case, push for the prosecution of crooked city officials.

[@MikeHarrison3266]

It is possibly just me but I have a problem with other people telling me what I MUST do according to them on MY own property. One thing is for sure I would not buy a property that others can treat as theirs and make a rule about, no they can piss off.

[@TheRed6263]

The problem is that you truly do not own your own property

[@MikeHarrison3266]

@@TheRed6263 So title deeds to the property are irrelevant, If your comment is correct who is the property owner and what proof must they show to substantiate the claim.

[@johnnyutah6056]

@@MikeHarrison3266 I believe what he is trying to say is that because you pay property tax on it you are just renting it from the local government.

[@MikeHarrison3266]

@@johnnyutah6056 OK, got it, is the tax used to pay for services like street repair, rubbish removal, and other services related to properties? If not, did you not pay tax when it was purchased? Is the accumulative payment by each household equal to the service cost for the area or is it yet one more massive rip off that typifies local government.

[@MikeHarrison3266]

@@treeaddict Simply NO, never.

[@Reaperofwind]

They want her property.

[@workonitm8]

They want that property to go to someone who has deep pockets who will feed their money hunger and not complain.

[@sk22ng]

Would like to see another "Walking Tall" type movie made out of this abuse of power in this town ending with the entire planning commission going to prison.

[@CSGATI]

The person that came up with a $100000 should be fired and fined. A tire-on grass death sentence.

[@byronwatkins2565]

The US Constitution guarantees every citizen Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment rights to due process of law prior to punishment or property seizures. The city (township?) owes her a fair and impartial hearing before they can assess any fine whatsoever. This is AT LEAST as important as Florida's rule against excessive fines.

[@kennethpensyl7791]

You need to fight for a deterrent that will will so severely punish corrupt local governments that they will never undertake such criminal behavior again, anywhere in the nation. Because, believe me they are doing such things all over the country everyday.

[@skipstalforce]

How, in what universe could anyone think this is legal.

[@KidCity1985]

What kind of person does this for a job?!?!

[@chrisbudesa]

Excessive fines clause.

[@Liberty4Ever]

It's not enough for IJ to win a court case and have the arbitrary unjust fines reduced or eliminated. The bureaucrat who did this will not be punished, and her identity may never be known. There will be no punishment for this government enabled evil and that unpunished evil will continue. In such extreme cases of abuse of government power, the abuser needs to be unmasked, prosecuted and permanently removed from government.

[@neuralwarp]

Her cars. Her land. The state has no claim to interfere. It is the state that should be fined for breaching her property rights. And as a citizen she's entitled to demand that fine be paid by the state officials personally, and not passed on to her and the other taxpayers.

[@lifeisgood5226]

Glad to be a monthly supporter 😊

[@JWP452]

God Bless the Institute for Justice!

[@domgem2012]

Dig deep, IJ! My theory, there's a developer, who's been quietly acquiring property, in around Sandy`s neighborhood, probably from "similar offenders." Said developer probably has some code inspectors on consultation.

[@greatnortherntroll6841]

IfJ ROCKS! You folks are amazing 😊👍

[@lspeers663]

What a waste of time and taxpayers money.

[@brkbtjunkie]

Cruel and unusual punishment comes to mind

[@218philip]

This is becoming more common, cities are padding their slush funds by fining the most vulnerable for petty reasons.

[@jeremycoffman66]

People Park on their lawns all the time out in the country and in the cities too

[@kmg501]

Yeah this seems like a campaign was waged against this woman. The questions are by whom and why.

[@alankillian4962]

@@kmg501 Foia the city's redevelopment plan. Someone on council wants that land BEFORE the developers move in to buy.

[@kmg501]

@@alankillian4962 Ahh yes, I should have thought of that. It might be worth to gofundme an investigation on behalf of this woman and her neighbors.