Running a stop sign is one of the most common ways drivers end up in traffic court. Here is some basic information about stop sign laws, potential defenses to a stop sign ticket, and standard penalties for stop sign violations.
Stop Sign Laws
Traffic laws governing stop signs are straightforward and fairly uniform across the states. State laws have slightly different wording. But drivers approaching stop signs must generally come to a complete stop prior to reaching the nearest of a marked limit line, a crosswalk, or the intersection itself.
Fighting a Stop Sign Ticket
Fighting a stop sign ticket can be difficult. In most cases, the officer will testify in traffic court that he or she saw the driver go through the stop sign without coming to a complete stop. Occasionally, the issue is about the driver stopping too late. In other words, the driver stopped but after crossing the limit line or entering the crosswalk or intersection.
Traffic court judges won’t normally throw out a ticket just because the driver says he or she didn’t commit the violation. When it’s between the word of the officer and that of the ticketed driver, the judge will typically side with the officer. So, what kind of defenses might work?
Generally, when drivers successfully beat a stop sign ticket, it’s based on a plausible argument that the officer couldn’t accurately see what happened. For example, if an officer was far away or there were obstructions like other cars blocking the officer’s view, a driver might be able to cast doubt on the officer’s testimony. With these types of defenses, it might help to have a map or diagram to show the judge.
Consequences of a Stop Sign Ticket
In most states, a stop sign violation is a traffic infraction. So, a stop sign ticket will carry fines but no possible jail time. Each jurisdiction sets its own fine amounts. But, generally, stop sign ticket fines range from about $50 to $500. In many states, the fine amounts increase when a driver has recent prior violations.
The majority of states consider a stop sign ticket a “moving violation,” meaning the DMV will assess points to the driver’s record.