Should I pay a parking ticket I got in Italy?
August 1, 2010 4:42 PM Subscribe
Received parking ticket while in Italy, and didn't pay it. Received a notice from the Florence Police department several months after returning to the US, and still didn't pay it. Now I'm going back to Italy in 6 weeks. Any risk of problems?
I know I should have paid it, but I didn't. I'd like advice on whether I could run into any problems in Italy, not on the moral issue.
Related, previously: http://ask.metafilter.com/25493
I know I should have paid it, but I didn't. I'd like advice on whether I could run into any problems in Italy, not on the moral issue.
Related, previously: http://ask.metafilter.com/25493
Why don't you just pay it now?
posted by klanawa at 5:39 PM on August 1, 2010 [5 favorites]
posted by klanawa at 5:39 PM on August 1, 2010 [5 favorites]
There is a non-zero risk that you will be detained on entry into the country. If they hadn't tracked you down in America, I'd say the risk was low, but if they are following up that much, they almost certainly also flagged your passport for special attention on re-entry; I may be giving the Italian government more credit for interconnectedness than they actually posses.
The worst that could happen is they would jail you until you paid the fine, then refuse you entry to Italy and send you back.
posted by nomisxid at 7:14 PM on August 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
The worst that could happen is they would jail you until you paid the fine, then refuse you entry to Italy and send you back.
posted by nomisxid at 7:14 PM on August 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
Could you contact the state department before you go to check on this?
posted by annsunny at 7:14 PM on August 1, 2010
posted by annsunny at 7:14 PM on August 1, 2010
Previously.
I don't drive here, so I honestly don't know if they would flag your passport. That said, Florence seems to be fairly aggressive in collecting on the fines; if you'll be driving while here, I'd pay the fine.
Come to think of it, I'd just pay the fine, period, instead of stressing over what-if scenarios that might ruin my trip if they actually happen. YMMV.
posted by romakimmy at 4:10 AM on August 2, 2010
I don't drive here, so I honestly don't know if they would flag your passport. That said, Florence seems to be fairly aggressive in collecting on the fines; if you'll be driving while here, I'd pay the fine.
Come to think of it, I'd just pay the fine, period, instead of stressing over what-if scenarios that might ruin my trip if they actually happen. YMMV.
posted by romakimmy at 4:10 AM on August 2, 2010
I'm from Italy. I grew up in an area that was swamped with tourists from March to October. Tourists with cars they didn't know, or care to know, how to drive and park and be responsible with. It might have been a fun trip for you, but it's regular life for us, and people like you are the reason we hate tourists.
If they took the trouble of looking you up in the US, there is a high chance you will have problems entering the country and you will definitely have issues if you by any chance end up getting pulled over.
The answer to "should I pay a parking ticket I got in Italy" is the same as the answer for "should I pay a parking ticket I got in the US". Yes. Yes, you should. It's both the safe and the right thing to do.
posted by lydhre at 7:28 AM on August 2, 2010 [4 favorites]
If they took the trouble of looking you up in the US, there is a high chance you will have problems entering the country and you will definitely have issues if you by any chance end up getting pulled over.
The answer to "should I pay a parking ticket I got in Italy" is the same as the answer for "should I pay a parking ticket I got in the US". Yes. Yes, you should. It's both the safe and the right thing to do.
posted by lydhre at 7:28 AM on August 2, 2010 [4 favorites]
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posted by Obscure Reference at 5:26 PM on August 1, 2010