This appeared in another car forum:
How to write a proper appeal to the authorities
Writing an appeal is just like writing an essay to yr sch teacher / lecturer. However, the marker, or rather, the relevant authorthies will be the person who is reading your appeals and reviewing them whether to accept or reject..
Before i proceed on, i like to add 2 disclaimer, which is, the below mentioned points are purely base on my successful appeals, and shall be used as reference. Which means, pls do not copy wholesale ! Also, another important point are, such appeals are generally for parking, minor traffic or technical offences (yes, you can also appeal on technical modification on your vehicle) .. not offences such as drink-riding, speeding and other more serious offences.
ok, i have receive say example, a $100 pavement parking fine. What should i do next? Do i have a case to fight? If you feel that you've a point to prove and decided to appeal, here goes.
Firstly, on your heading, address to the person or relevant authorities such as:
Post: Officer-in-Charge Violation Reports
Name: WONG Lan Yang, PB
DID: 65476141
Email: wong_lan_yang@spf.gov.sg
or
To: Chubb Singapore Pte Ltd
Email: park@chubb.com.sg
Next, FIRST paragraph, PROVIDE all the neccesary details such as time and date of offence, notice/prosecution/case reference numbers and the place of offence.
Example:
Dear Sir,
I would like to appeal against my notice of parking offence. On the 25th november 2004, I received a notice of parking offence at Chua Chu Kang Ave 4, the pavement just outside lot 1 at 11:22am. The parking report number is W123456 89 XO.
or
Dear Sir / Madam,
I would like to appeal against my notice of parking offence. On the 8th of december 2004, I received a notice of parking offence at Bedok North (code: B25 as stated in the notice) at 10:10pm. The parking offence number is G18181818U.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Secondly, the most important part in your letter of appeal, EXPLAIN and provide details WHY you commited such an offence.
In this paragraph: -
>- It is a need to explain your reason of commiting such an offence. Give details, short and sweet.
>- Was it an oversight by you? Out of presonal circumstances? Were there any external factors that led you committing such an offence? Are you aware of such an act would cause an intended prosecution on you? Even if you are aware of such offence, explain and be remourseful. Remember, keep it short and sweet.
>- Note that giving lame excuses will not help your case at all.
Example:
I understand that some parking areas state that after 10 pm or 10.30pm, the entire parking area in that specific location would turn into night parking band or free parking if the next day is considered a public holiday. I arrived at that particular parking, at 10pm and thinking that since it has crossed the 10pm time zone, the entire zone would become free parking, since the next day, 9th of April is a Good Friday, a public holiday, and it would deem not necessary to display a parking coupon.
or
I understand that the modified exhaust is not street legal although at the point of exhaust sound test, the modified exhaust passed the sound criteria as set by the technical officers at the makeshift inspection site. Without this modification, my original bike pipe will tense to build up lots of carbon caused by the filter in the original pipe and as a result of being hard to start, prolong of this will result in piston jam.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Thirdly, (might be optional but useful to add-on) state and briefly explain your background. Such as whether u have financial difficulties. Be GENUINE. But this is not to encourage you to LIE to the authorities, say you live in a posh 3-storey bungalow but state that u lived in a one - room rented flat, NO, DO NOT LIE. Also, avoid exaggesaration !
Example:-
Sir, it is not my intention just to save up the 65 cents coupon of the MSCP. On top of the points I mentioned above, I am currently a student still studying at MU Polytechnic and the part-time job which I worked at night juggling between my studies provides me just enough income to help support myself as my father was retrenced and doing odd-jobs, barely enough to support the family.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Last and no PS .. do a closing on your appeals, provide details such as means of contacting you, and also request a review of your case.
Example:-
The compound, which offers at $500, will sure bring a long way to me and I would kindly request that you may consider a review of my case. Your understanding would be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to contact me at 9191919 if you need further clarifications.
Yours Sincerely,
Ruud Van Nistelrooy
24, Orchard Drive
S�pore 260024
IC: S7612234H
Vehicle No: SFZ 10 D
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Points to note and watch out for in your appeals: -
1) Do sound remourseful and show that you are in the wrong.
2) Do NOT write with a tone that seem to force the reviewer to accept your case at all course. Such quotes that are discourage are" I strongly urge that yabayabayaba " or " You must " or " You have to understand that ". These are discouraged. Remember. You are wrong at the 1st place.
3) Write only RELEVANT and SENSIBLE points. Do not, like the forums some people do, go OFF-topic. Stay within the topic ! This is important, what the reviewer wants to see is a short and concise letter of explaination. No grand mother storey ! There is no minimum word requirements !
4) Write good english and be courteous. Of course, you do not need your english teacher to draft out one appeal letter, but at least write in an easy-to-read manner so that the reviewer can have an ease of mind reading yours.
5) With reference to point 3, remember that the reviewer not only has your appeals to go through. They have tons of appeals waiting to be reviewed so do not spoil their day with bad and demanding writings !
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
After reading through your appeals, you can either snail mail / email / or even walk-in personally to the relevant authorities to hand your appeal letters ( if no interview is invlolved ). Wait for their reply in due course.
Meanwhile, your expiry date of your offence to pay the fine will be extended the moment your appeal reach the authorities.
Ok, i've receive their reply.
If your appeal is accepted:
Congrats, however, drop the idea of a party-popper. Yes, you do not need to pay a single cent, or your appeal might cause a reduction in your original fine. However, note that your records will be stored in the relevant authorities records and any subsequent similar offence might result in heavier fines, or a no-consideration stance by them(which means they will not entertain any further appeals). Be sensible, learn your mistake and avoid the same bad habit of yours.
If your appeal is rejected:
All is not lost, you can now choose to accept the music and move on in life, or you can choose to send a 2nd appeal, this time, stating that you are a 1st - time offender ( if u really are! ) and highlight your points you mention in your 1st appeal. Remember, keep in short, sweet and concise !
Further disclaimer: You might ask any examples on their replies? I'm afraid i cannot show what's the relevant authorities response and reply as their replies are stated confidential ! Don't wanna get prosecuted for nothing la .. but their reply are standard, mostly from templates. The 2nd response to 2nd appeal might be a short note/decision from the reviewer. Also, pls do not copy my examples above! They are all my own writings for my friends or for myself! Pls be original and genuine to increase your chance of appeal ...
Good luck !
How to write a proper appeal to the authorities
Writing an appeal is just like writing an essay to yr sch teacher / lecturer. However, the marker, or rather, the relevant authorthies will be the person who is reading your appeals and reviewing them whether to accept or reject..
Before i proceed on, i like to add 2 disclaimer, which is, the below mentioned points are purely base on my successful appeals, and shall be used as reference. Which means, pls do not copy wholesale ! Also, another important point are, such appeals are generally for parking, minor traffic or technical offences (yes, you can also appeal on technical modification on your vehicle) .. not offences such as drink-riding, speeding and other more serious offences.
ok, i have receive say example, a $100 pavement parking fine. What should i do next? Do i have a case to fight? If you feel that you've a point to prove and decided to appeal, here goes.
Firstly, on your heading, address to the person or relevant authorities such as:
Post: Officer-in-Charge Violation Reports
Name: WONG Lan Yang, PB
DID: 65476141
Email: wong_lan_yang@spf.gov.sg
or
To: Chubb Singapore Pte Ltd
Email: park@chubb.com.sg
Next, FIRST paragraph, PROVIDE all the neccesary details such as time and date of offence, notice/prosecution/case reference numbers and the place of offence.
Example:
Dear Sir,
I would like to appeal against my notice of parking offence. On the 25th november 2004, I received a notice of parking offence at Chua Chu Kang Ave 4, the pavement just outside lot 1 at 11:22am. The parking report number is W123456 89 XO.
or
Dear Sir / Madam,
I would like to appeal against my notice of parking offence. On the 8th of december 2004, I received a notice of parking offence at Bedok North (code: B25 as stated in the notice) at 10:10pm. The parking offence number is G18181818U.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Secondly, the most important part in your letter of appeal, EXPLAIN and provide details WHY you commited such an offence.
In this paragraph: -
>- It is a need to explain your reason of commiting such an offence. Give details, short and sweet.
>- Was it an oversight by you? Out of presonal circumstances? Were there any external factors that led you committing such an offence? Are you aware of such an act would cause an intended prosecution on you? Even if you are aware of such offence, explain and be remourseful. Remember, keep it short and sweet.
>- Note that giving lame excuses will not help your case at all.
Example:
I understand that some parking areas state that after 10 pm or 10.30pm, the entire parking area in that specific location would turn into night parking band or free parking if the next day is considered a public holiday. I arrived at that particular parking, at 10pm and thinking that since it has crossed the 10pm time zone, the entire zone would become free parking, since the next day, 9th of April is a Good Friday, a public holiday, and it would deem not necessary to display a parking coupon.
or
I understand that the modified exhaust is not street legal although at the point of exhaust sound test, the modified exhaust passed the sound criteria as set by the technical officers at the makeshift inspection site. Without this modification, my original bike pipe will tense to build up lots of carbon caused by the filter in the original pipe and as a result of being hard to start, prolong of this will result in piston jam.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Thirdly, (might be optional but useful to add-on) state and briefly explain your background. Such as whether u have financial difficulties. Be GENUINE. But this is not to encourage you to LIE to the authorities, say you live in a posh 3-storey bungalow but state that u lived in a one - room rented flat, NO, DO NOT LIE. Also, avoid exaggesaration !
Example:-
Sir, it is not my intention just to save up the 65 cents coupon of the MSCP. On top of the points I mentioned above, I am currently a student still studying at MU Polytechnic and the part-time job which I worked at night juggling between my studies provides me just enough income to help support myself as my father was retrenced and doing odd-jobs, barely enough to support the family.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Last and no PS .. do a closing on your appeals, provide details such as means of contacting you, and also request a review of your case.
Example:-
The compound, which offers at $500, will sure bring a long way to me and I would kindly request that you may consider a review of my case. Your understanding would be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to contact me at 9191919 if you need further clarifications.
Yours Sincerely,
Ruud Van Nistelrooy
24, Orchard Drive
S�pore 260024
IC: S7612234H
Vehicle No: SFZ 10 D
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Points to note and watch out for in your appeals: -
1) Do sound remourseful and show that you are in the wrong.
2) Do NOT write with a tone that seem to force the reviewer to accept your case at all course. Such quotes that are discourage are" I strongly urge that yabayabayaba " or " You must " or " You have to understand that ". These are discouraged. Remember. You are wrong at the 1st place.
3) Write only RELEVANT and SENSIBLE points. Do not, like the forums some people do, go OFF-topic. Stay within the topic ! This is important, what the reviewer wants to see is a short and concise letter of explaination. No grand mother storey ! There is no minimum word requirements !
4) Write good english and be courteous. Of course, you do not need your english teacher to draft out one appeal letter, but at least write in an easy-to-read manner so that the reviewer can have an ease of mind reading yours.
5) With reference to point 3, remember that the reviewer not only has your appeals to go through. They have tons of appeals waiting to be reviewed so do not spoil their day with bad and demanding writings !
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
After reading through your appeals, you can either snail mail / email / or even walk-in personally to the relevant authorities to hand your appeal letters ( if no interview is invlolved ). Wait for their reply in due course.
Meanwhile, your expiry date of your offence to pay the fine will be extended the moment your appeal reach the authorities.
Ok, i've receive their reply.
If your appeal is accepted:
Congrats, however, drop the idea of a party-popper. Yes, you do not need to pay a single cent, or your appeal might cause a reduction in your original fine. However, note that your records will be stored in the relevant authorities records and any subsequent similar offence might result in heavier fines, or a no-consideration stance by them(which means they will not entertain any further appeals). Be sensible, learn your mistake and avoid the same bad habit of yours.
If your appeal is rejected:
All is not lost, you can now choose to accept the music and move on in life, or you can choose to send a 2nd appeal, this time, stating that you are a 1st - time offender ( if u really are! ) and highlight your points you mention in your 1st appeal. Remember, keep in short, sweet and concise !
Further disclaimer: You might ask any examples on their replies? I'm afraid i cannot show what's the relevant authorities response and reply as their replies are stated confidential ! Don't wanna get prosecuted for nothing la .. but their reply are standard, mostly from templates. The 2nd response to 2nd appeal might be a short note/decision from the reviewer. Also, pls do not copy my examples above! They are all my own writings for my friends or for myself! Pls be original and genuine to increase your chance of appeal ...
Good luck !
