How to get out of paying fee on late ticket payment?

[Catica]

I got a $20 ticket on a bike.  I went home and tried paying it online but it was not in a system.  I kept trying for about 2 weeks or so but it was still not in a system.  Then I went away and when I returned I forgot about it.  I got a letter yesterday that my license will be suspended in a month if I don't pay the ticket with late fees etc.  It is now $70.  Is there any way I can explain myself and pay the original ticket? Anyone know?

[mre]

Do they provide a telephone number?

[terran]

Just about all you can try in situations like these is to "throw yourself on the mercy of the court" and explain the situation, that it was an honest mistake and could they pretty please forgive the fines if you pay the ticket right now. Don't act entitled, whiny, and victimized (they get that all day long), act like you're asking them for a favor (because you are). Something like "Hi, so I got a bike parking ticket for $20 and it wasn't showing up when I went to pay it online, then I was out of town for a few weeks and I totally forgot about it. I'm happy to pay for the ticket today, but I was wondering if there might be anything you could do to help me with the fines?" If they can do anything (waive or reduce) say "great, thanks so much. I really appreciate it" and if they can't then pay your fines and be thankful you're (presumably, since you're on this forum) not someone for whom this will make any real difference in their life.

[six-car-habit]

 I find it interesting that a bicycle ticket can be tied into a drivers {?} license suspension. Unless you meant a motorcycle ? motorbike ?

 Assuming it was a pedal powered bicycle, i'll guess you were in your own county, or the next one over , from your home. Maybe next time instead of trying for 2 weeks to pay online -- just make a trip in person to the county offices and pay the nice lady/man behind the counter and get a receipt. That is why they have these staff positions filled.

 Sometimes trying the "easy + cheap" way to take care of an issue [ internet payment ] , comes out more expensive.  Sure, the ticket should have been entered into the computer system, but it wasn't, and an in person visit - where you bring the paper ticket , pay with physical money, and get a paper reciept , is virtually foolproof.

[wellactually]

eh, we've all been there. Or at least I have.

Contrition and politeness can go a long way. I work for the local municipality, and we have a contestation form for parking tickets. Basically you can get out of one ticket if you never have before. I used it once and was genuinely contrite. I said I was at city hall for a meeting and put all my change in the meter. But someone kept me after unexpectedly and I thus failed to feed my meter. I basically got a warning. That might be an option for you.

I'd suggest calling or going in to the office if that is an option. Call in the morning hours but not immediately after opening, make a point to remember the service representative's name and explain that you made a big mistake after trying to pay online but having trouble. You really want to pay the original ticket, but the cost with fees has become pretty big. Is there anything they can do to help so that you can clear it up today? Any time you can share your appreciation for their help is good.

At the end of the day, you may have to take your lumps.

[Catica]

Thanks everyone.  I went in person, told them I wanted to pay just the original citation and the fees and they said OK and I paid.  They didn't care for any explanation.