School Bus Citation Defense

Summary

In Minnesota, its illegal to pass a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm. Violations can result in fines up to $500 and possible license suspension for repeat offenses. Defense strategies include questioning the officers observations, proving the stop arm was not extended, or demonstrating a necessity defense. Running out of gas is generally not considered a necessity unless it led to immediate danger. Consult a local attorney for tailored advice.

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I passed a school bus stop sign and I got a citation
Hello ****, I understand your situation. Could you please tell me the location where this happened? Laws regarding passing a school bus vary by location.
Minnesota
Hello ****, in Minnesota:
- It's illegal to pass a school bus when its red lights are flashing and its stop arm is extended.
- First violation may result in a fine of up to $*.
- Repeat violations can result in license suspension.
You may want to consult with a local traffic attorney for further advice.
How can I win without any evidence?
Hello ****,
Unfortunately, it's difficult to win without evidence. However, you can:
- Challenge the officer's observation.
- Question whether the stop arm was extended or lights were flashing.
- Consult with a local attorney to explore other possible defense strategies.
What are the defense strategies
Hello ****, for your situation in Minnesota, defense strategies could include:
- Questioning the credibility of the officer's observations.
- Proving the stop arm was not extended or lights were not flashing.
- Proving you were not the driver of the vehicle at the time.
- Demonstrating a necessity or emergency which required the action.
What is the necessity which required the action
Hello ****, in legal terms, a 'necessity' defense refers to a situation where a person had no choice but to break the law because of an emergency. For example, passing a school bus stop sign to avoid an imminent car crash. Remember, this defense is complex and should be handled by a lawyer.
Is running out of gas a necessity?
Hello ****, running out of gas is generally not considered a legal necessity. However, if running out of gas led to an immediate danger where violating the law was the only option to prevent that danger, it might be considered a necessity. This is a complex issue, consult a lawyer for advice.
Questioning credibility of the officer's observation
Hello ****, questioning the officer's observation can involve:
- Evidence suggesting the officer's view was obstructed.
- Evidence that the officer was not in a position to accurately see the event.
- Testimony about the officer's reputation for truthfulness.
Remember, questioning an officer's credibility should be done with the help of a lawyer.