I got a fine for not getting my bus ticket stamped in Florence, Italy. Apparently if you paid it the same day it was one price and that price doubled after a week, month, etc.
Didn’t matter the machine failed when I stamped it because it was out of ink. I even tried to stamp it in front of the officer. He said I could appeal it in person in court. They know tourists aren’t going to appear in court to appeal. I felt scammed but after calming myself down and paying the fine the officer apologized and told me in a few words he hated his job.
I was about to comment, that here in Italy, many fines have a price if you pay in few days and give up your right to fight back, and another price if you pay before the fine is due and keep your right to seek help from a judge.
Anyway, nobody told you, that if you want to see a judge that was at least 40$ ten years ago. Just to see him once, no warranty given. And even if you can get your fine cancelled, that 40$ were gone.
So at the end you pay and also pay soon so to pay less. I also hate it.
They also can’t force a tourist to pay a fine. And it’s not a criminal matter, so they’ll never be able to deny you visa on these grounds.
When the same happened to me I laughed into their faces, they wrote down my passport data and address and kept sending me snail mail with threats for years till I moved. I’m still waiting for the day they’ll force me to pay the 30€ or whatever that was.
I got a fine for not getting my bus ticket stamped in Florence, Italy. Apparently if you paid it the same day it was one price and that price doubled after a week, month, etc.
Didn’t matter the machine failed when I stamped it because it was out of ink. I even tried to stamp it in front of the officer. He said I could appeal it in person in court. They know tourists aren’t going to appear in court to appeal. I felt scammed but after calming myself down and paying the fine the officer apologized and told me in a few words he hated his job.
I was about to comment, that here in Italy, many fines have a price if you pay in few days and give up your right to fight back, and another price if you pay before the fine is due and keep your right to seek help from a judge.
Anyway, nobody told you, that if you want to see a judge that was at least 40$ ten years ago. Just to see him once, no warranty given. And even if you can get your fine cancelled, that 40$ were gone. So at the end you pay and also pay soon so to pay less. I also hate it.
They also can’t force a tourist to pay a fine. And it’s not a criminal matter, so they’ll never be able to deny you visa on these grounds.
When the same happened to me I laughed into their faces, they wrote down my passport data and address and kept sending me snail mail with threats for years till I moved. I’m still waiting for the day they’ll force me to pay the 30€ or whatever that was.
I was told in no uncertain terms If I didn’t give them my passport info they would arrest me.
Well, that’s rather reassuring.