39,
1. It was pre-scanning days.
2. Now you can merely scratch off a bar (prior to applying the sticker), forcing the meter maids to write it out manually.
3. If the summons has an incorrect plate #, the ticket was effectively never written against your vehicle and you can discard it.
4. If you choose to challenge it, it is legally flawed (in NYC at least) and an ALJ will dismiss it.
With the exception of 1 thing. People do not necessarily differ in how they write the letter O and how they write the number 0. I remember CLEARLY that Gridlock Sam (former NYC Traffic Commissioner) saying that the computers, and judges did not view a 0 as different than an O (and that the computers often searched for the possibility of both).
In other words, calling a tan car brown was not in the same league as a 0 vs. an O.
I think we have both made our respective points. If I can locate the gridlock sam I will. But I respectfully suggest we not continue this discussion.