30-Day Initial Hearing Demand — Parking Violations Bureau Default Defense
Under Indianapolis Revised Code §431-401 et seq. (Parking Violations Bureau), a vehicle owner who receives a parking citation has the right to an initial administrative review by the Parking Violations Clerk and then a hearing before the Parking Violations Bureau. If you request a hearing in writing within the period printed on the citation (typically 21–30 days), the city must schedule one. The city frequently issues late-fee escalations or refers tickets to collections (Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson) before the statutory hearing window closes — that is a procedural violation and grounds for vacatur of the late penalty. Always demand a hearing in writing on day 1; never just pay.
Legal basis
Indianapolis Rev. Code §431-401, §431-403 (Parking Violations Bureau); IC 36-1-6-9 (municipal ordinance violation procedure); IC 33-36 (small claims/admin appeals)
Sample appeal wording
TO: City of Indianapolis, Parking Violations Bureau 200 E. Washington St., Suite 1042, Indianapolis, IN 46204 RE: Citation No. [TICKET_NUMBER] — Hearing Demand and Defense Dear Hearing Officer, I am the registered owner of [YEAR/MAKE/MODEL], plate [PLATE]. I received Citation [TICKET_NUMBER] dated [DATE_ISSUED]. Pursuant to Indianapolis Revised Code §431-401 et seq., I hereby formally demand an administrative hearing before the Parking Violations Bureau and contest liability in full. I further object to assessment of any late penalty, doubling, or referral to collections during the pendency of this hearing request, which was timely tendered on [DATE] (proof of mailing attached). Any such escalation would violate IC 36-1-6-9 and the due-process protections incorporated into the Bureau's enabling ordinance. Grounds for dismissal: [insert specific defense — signage, equipment, ownership, etc.] Please confirm receipt and schedule a hearing date. Signed, [FULL_NAME] [ADDRESS] / [PHONE] / [EMAIL] Date: [DATE]
Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.
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Scan my ticketSources
- Indianapolis Revised Code Ch. 431 — Parking Violations Bureau
- Indiana Code §36-1-6-9
- Indy.gov Parking Violations Bureau procedures