Passing a School Bus
Charlotte, North Carolina, School Bus Stop Law Attorney
While most people tend to think of passing a stopped school bus as a fairly minor traffic offense, the police and judges throughout Mecklenburg County and Cabarrus County view the violation as a serious matter. If you have been ticketed for Passing a Stopped School Bus, you need the assistance of a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer.
Attorney Chris Connelly provides over 25 years of criminal defense experience, personally handling each client's case. He has defended many clients charged in a wide range of traffic violations including those in violation of state school-bus stop laws.
Minor traffic offenses can turn into big trouble. Protect your rights. Call 704-376-9376 or e-mail our Charlotte law firm to discuss your situation.
Understanding North Carolina's Passing a Stopped School Bus Law
The state's school bus stop law considers it a Misdemeanor traffic crime to fail to stop at any school bus "displaying its mechanical stop signal or flashing red lights and the bus is stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging passengers." Drivers approaching the bus from either direction must not attempt to pass the vehicle until after lights and stop sign are off and the bus moves. However, the driver on a road divided by a median or barrier highway traveling in the opposite direction need not stop. This exception includes a center lane for left turns if the roadway consists of at least four more lanes.
- All traffic in both directions MUST STOP on a two-lane road with or without a center turning lane
- All traffic in both directions MUST STOP on a four-lane road with a separating median
- Only traffic following the school bus must stop on a four-lane road with center turning lane or a divided highway
Consequences for Violating the School Bus Stop Law
State law enforcement agencies are aggressively enforcing "stop arm" violations. As a Class 2 Misdemeanor, you risk up to four points against your driver's license, four points on your insurance and fines up to $200 for a violation. Like other serious traffic offenses, convictions go on your record and are difficult and time consuming to Motions for Appropriate Relief.
By law, you can not receive a Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC) on this type of offense.
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Call us at 704-376-9376 or e-mail our Charlotte office to schedule a consultation regarding violation of the school bus stop law. Put the value of an experienced lawyer on your side in a traffic violation matter.
The Law Office of Christopher A. Connelly
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Criminal Defense Attorney
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