In 2017, the State of Minnesota upped the penalty for failing to stop for a school bus --- a violation of Minn. Stat. 169.444. Specifically, the law requires that drivers in both directions stop --- when they see a school bus with its red lights flashing and
its stop arm extended. The fine for failing to stop increased this
summer from $300 to $500. Most importantly --- school bus drivers can (and do) report these
violations directly to law enforcement and the registered owner of
the violator vehicle can receive a ticket in the mail – even if they
were not driving the vehicle at the time of the offense. If you have questions about a ticket you or someone you love has received for this offense, contact an experienced Minnesota Traffic Defense Lawyer.
What Should You Do?
Due to the presence of children surrounding a school, it is easy to understand why this law exists and why it is considered such a serious crime. With that being said, the penalties involved can be quite steep --- including the possibility that one's license could be revoked.
The Law
There are two types of driving conduct that can be cited. First, when a school bus is stopped and is displaying an “extended stop-signal arm and flashing red lights,” every driver must stop their vehicle at least 20-feet away from the school bus. Second, no driver may pass a school bus on the right-hand, passenger-door side “when the school bus is displaying the pre-warning flashing amber signals.”
Violating either or both of these two laws is a crime, simple violation of the above is a misdemeanor crime, leading to maximum criminal penalties of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. But, under certain circumstances, it may be a gross misdemeanor crime, which results in a maximum sentence of a year in jail and/or a $3,000 fine. Such as --- if you pass the bus when a child is outside the bus, it is a gross misdemeanor offense.
If you or someone you care about is facing criminal charges, contact me, a Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney to set up a FREE – no obligation – consultation. You can reach me at (612) 234-1165 or jay@rollofflaw.com.
In the State of Minnesota, when a school bus is stopped on a street or highway and is displaying an extended stop-signal arm and flashing red lights - a driver approaching the bus is required to stop their vehicle at least 20 feet away from the bus and not move their vehicle until the signal arm is retracted and the red lights stop flashing. If someone fails to do this - it is a crime.
Believe it or not, it is also a crime to pass or attempt to pass a school bus on the right-hand, passenger-door side of bus while it is displaying the "pre-warning" flashing amber signals. If you have been ticket for either of these infractions, you best bet (even if you think you are guilty) is to contact an experienced Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney.
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The Consequences
Someone who fails to stop a vehicle while a school bus has its stop-arm extended is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a minimum fine of $300.... if convicted. The penalty could also include jail time and/or a larger fine. See Minnesota Statute Sec. No.: 169.444. A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor if they fail to stop their motor vehicle and commit either or both of the following:
- Passing or attempting to pass the school bus in a motor vehicle on the right-hand, passenger-door side of the bus; and/or
- Passing or attempting to pass the school bus in a motor vehicle when a school child is outside of and on the street used by the school bus or on the adjacent sidewalk
According to the government, passing a school bus (whether accidental or intentional) in such a situation endangers the lives of children. Therefore, police and prosecutors take these crimes very seriously. You should to --- that is why I suggest that any person charged with illegally passing a school bus should call the Rolloff Law Office to get answers. As a former prosecutor, I have worked on dozens of cases like this --- I know all of the "ins" and "outs" and I can help you to earn an outcome that helps you keep your license and your money. Call today to set up a free consultation (612) 234-1165.
