I NEED YOUR HELP- Parking at the Bees game-

Friday night, Heather and I had an enjoyable evening at the Bees game with Conrad Walsh and his new wife Dannie. The game started at 6:30 p.m., but we were not able to get there until about 7:10 p.m. Because we were late to the game, it was very difficult to find parking. We got very lucky and were able to get a free spot on the street / alley right behind the main parking lot where it was 45 degree angle parking on the street / alley. We quickly pulled into the open spot (that was just in front of one of the warehouses near the ball park). It was a legal, legit spot. We pulled in even, headlight to headlight, with the other cars parked on both sides of our car. We had to pull up because it was a tight spot and pulling all the way in made it so that we were able to open our doors and also not have our car sticking out past the other cars..otherwise we would appear to be hanging way out into the narrow street / alley, making our car vulnerable to being hit. Needless to say we, and the cars on each side of ours, got a parking ticket...and illegitimate ones! I was so mad that I took pictures with Heather's camera. Here are some photos of the situation..
Picture #1 We see my tire on the "sidewalk" that is partially covered in blacktop. Notice that there is no curb, and the "sidewalk" is run down and blends into the road, especially at night.
Picture #2 Shows us that the business side of the sidewalk (away from the road) is also covered in blacktop or road and the blacktop continues all the way to the building.
Picture #3 Shows my right bumper hanging over the "sidewalk". Again notice the curb...oh wait there was not one. The van next to us also got a ticket.
Picture #4 Shows a closer look at the situation they seem to think is parking ticket worthy.

So you may be asking what the ticket was for, just like we were...It was for parking "on the sidewalk". They think that was a sidewalk? Where is the curb? Why is it half covered in blacktop (on both sides), that goes all the way to the building. It really blends in with the street at night? All we did was pull up even with the other cars parked on both sides of us, to avoid blocking the street/alley. I think that the police were just out to write tickets. I think that I should go to the Judge and fight it..it is the principle of the whole thing. Heather thinks we should just pay the stupid ticket. And the police couldn't just give us the smallest violation for this? The smallest parking violation is $10, the police gave us a $17 violation for parking "on the sidewalk". What do you think I should do? I need your opinions, because I am still just livid. Please send me your comments and answer the poll...I have ten days to either pay it or go see the judge. But I would like to decide what I am going to do by Monday. I don't mind spending a half an hour to go talk to the judge. But am I justified?