Minnesota Court of Appeals Reverses School Bus Arm Conviction
When it comes to school bus stop-arm violations in Minnesota, the statute appears straightforward: under Minn. Stat. §169.444 subd. 1, a driver must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus when it is displaying an extended stop-signal arm and flashing red lights. However, real-life situations can create confusion, such as when you’re running late and the bus in front of you only begins to extend its stop arm as you approach. In these situations, it can be challenging to determine whether you have enough time to safely stop or risk receiving a ticket for a school bus stop-arm violation. Such violations can result in significant fines and the stress of navigating the legal system, even for a simple misunderstanding. Fortunately, the Minnesota Court of Appeals has now provided clear guidance to help drivers understand their obligations in school bus stop-arm situations.
North Star Law Group’s Position
Our position (skillfully argued by Mr. Gempeler) was clear and compelling. Under Minnesota law, a driver is only required to stop if they are at least 20 feet away from a fully extended stop arm. If a driver finds themselves already within 20 feet of the bus before the stop arm is fully extended, there is no statutory duty to stop, as the law does not provide sufficient notice or time for the driver to do so safely. While there is an understanding that the safety of children is important, this ambiguity in the statute could unduly punish drivers. Mr. Gempeler’s expertise in presenting this argument resulted in a positive outcome for his client, even in the absence of the Court of Appeals’ future ruling, highlighting Mr. Gempeler’s proficiency in interpreting and arguing the laws on behalf of his clients.
Mn Court of Appeals Agrees
The Court of Appeals has now officially weighed in and, as we anticipated, agreed with Mr. Gempler’s interpretation of the law. In a recent separate case, a woman contested her school bus stop-arm violation. She explained that she did not notice the bus’s yellow flashers until she was already quite close, and uncontested video evidence demonstrated that she was clearly within 20 feet of the bus before the stop arm was fully extended; therefore, the statute does not apply to her. In this case, both the State and the Petitioner presented differing interpretations of the term “extended.” The State argued that under the statute, “extended” means any observable extension of the stop arm, while the Petitioner contended that “extended” requires the stop arm to be fully and completely extended before the statute is triggered. The Minnesota Court of Appeals sided with the Petitioner, clarifying that “extended”, under its plain definition, means the stop arm must be entirely deployed before a driver is legally required to stop within 20 feet of the bus. As a result, the Court reversed the conviction, since the driver had entered the 20-foot zone prior to the stop arm’s full extension.
Call Our Team Today
This decision not only protects drivers from unfair convictions but also ensures that the law is applied consistently and fairly. At North Star Law Group, we take pride in being at the forefront of this legal development. We advocate for our clients’ rights and contribute to a clearer understanding of Minnesota traffic laws. If you or someone you know is facing a school bus stop-arm violation or any other traffic-related charge, don’t hesitate to reach out to North Star Law Group. Our experienced attorneys continually educate themselves on the ever-changing legal landscape. Because of this, they are often ahead of the curve, as seen in this instance of judicial proceedings!