Expired muni-meter — commercial zone ticket in New York — code 42

In New York, 7% of contested expired muni-meter — commercial zone tickets were dismissed between 2025-01-01 and 2026-07-27, per the TossMyTicket Outcomes Index (n=27,036 hearings, source: open data).

The basics

Fine: $65 (or $35 depending on zone). Deadline to contest: 30 days from issuance. Citation: 34 RCNY 4-08.

Defenses that actually work

Defective summons — required elements

NYC: omission OR misdescription of any of the five mandatory identification elements (plate number, plate type, make/model, body type, registration state) is a jurisdictional defect mandating dismissal. VTL 238(2); Matter of Ryder Truck Rental (1984); Crichlow v. NYC DOF.

Broken meter

NYC: broken/missing meter limits liability (code 32 rules). LA: meter must fail BOTH coin and card to excuse (CVC 22508.5). Report the meter number and failure.