Penny Pinching: The Practical Legalities of Paying a Parking Ticket with Pennies

Attorney Ugo Lord, a TikTok influencer with a formidable following of 6.7 million, has recently turned his analytical gaze toward a viral video that presents a unique monetary dispute. The video features an individual attempting to settle a parking ticket with a staggering 7,500 pennies.

The Penny Drama

The story opens with the ticket holder declaring that he will pay the $89 fine. The plot develops when he discloses that he prefers to pay with bags of pennies and quarters. He is informed by the office staff—who are clearly surprised—that coins must be rolled up to be accepted. 

“If you’re going to pay with that, it has to be rolled up,” the staff says.

The person argues that this is not public policy and that the office is a public servant. 

“They don’t have a counter here, so they don’t accept it,” another person adds.

The man retorts by asserting that as a government office, they are legally required to accept all forms of legal tender, including coins.

“So, if there’s any problems, you’re more than welcome to call me. But, as of right now, the payments are made. Have a nice day!” the person says as they walk away.

Attorney Lord’s Legal Lens

In response to this unusual situation, Lord provides a very balanced approach. He admits that private businesses have the right to decline the payment in pennies due to the inconvenience of counting such large amounts of coins.

“It’s unreasonable to count thousands of pennies when you have a much more convenient way of paying that bill.”

However, he points out that this case is very different because it concerns a government department. Federal law stipulates that government bodies must take all legal payment forms, even the pennies.

“It means that this office is required to accept all those pennies,” Lord concludes.

How Does The Law Apply To This Situation?

The law and legal document that applies to this situation is the Coinage Act of 1965, which states that coins are legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues. This means the government must accept coins as payment for any debt, such as a parking ticket. 

Nonetheless, unless state legislation specifies otherwise, individual companies, like shops or restaurants, can establish their own rules about the kinds of payments they will accept. 

As a result, it is acceptable to pay for a ticket with pennies in this video. However, certain businesses would not accept you paying a payment with pennies. Furthermore, the office’s denial of the pennies is as legally questionable as the video suggests.

Final Verdict

To sum up, this viral video may be a source of humor about the settlement of a parking ticket. However, it also initiates serious debates on the legal tender laws and practicalities of paying in other forms.

Whether you side with the coin-burdened payer or are more inclined towards their office staff, it is evident that navigating the realm of legal currency is not as easy as it looks. Thanks to TikTok and Ugo Lord, we are all getting a valuable lesson on this complicated issue.