South Carolina drivers challenge legality of private parking tickets

Drivers in South Carolina are suing cities over $125 parking tickets issued by private contractors. They claim these fines are illegal, as parking enforcement should be handled by local police, not outside companies. Lawsuits have been filed in Beaufort, Isle of Palms, and Folly Beach, challenging the legality of private contractors issuing tickets. A resident, Miranda Black, is leading a class action lawsuit seeking refunds for fines collected by these contractors. The South Carolina Assistant Attorney General has stated that municipalities cannot delegate parking enforcement to private entities without proper authority. The outcome of these lawsuits could impact how parking violations are enforced in the state.