ATLANTA — A local attorney advocating against private parking companies booting vehicles in Atlanta discussed options and potential consequences if you remove the device on your own.
Matt Wetherington said he has represented thousands of people booted in the city in the past decade.
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He said he’s been pleading with the city council to reverse the ordinance that allows the practice.
He spoke about options after a video of two anonymous women in the city went viral online after posting a video of themselves removing the boots for drivers.
To see that report, click here.
If you are booted, you could pay the parking company to remove it. However, that can cost you up to $75 daily for every day the boot is on the vehicle.
“Call your credit card company and dispute it,” Wetherington said.
You could call the self-named Boot Girls, who offer their removal services for $50, or buy your key for $50 online.
But since neither you nor the Boot Girls own the boot, Atlanta Police said you could be cited with trespassing or theft of service.
You could be criminally charged.
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Whether it’s valid or not doesn’t change the fact that it will cause you many more problems than $75,” said Weathering. “You could also be civilly charged by the property owner if it’s a big enough issue for them and they want to make an example of you.”
He said the odds of going to jail are pretty low.
“The odds of you getting hurt are much higher when dealing with someone with a financial interest in getting money from you,” said Wetherington.
He says that if you previously got a boot, click here to join a class action lawsuit.
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