Does anyone here have any legal experience? I'm freaking out. Friday morning on the way to daycare,…
Does anyone here have any legal experience? I'm freaking out.
Friday morning on the way to daycare, I was going up a hill. On the top I saw some kids so I slowed down a little bit as I got closer, my son just informed me he unbuckle himself. I glanced back to double check, turn back around and there's a school bus stopping with the stop sign already out(and still moving). Because of the hill I couldn't see it before. I was too close and would have had to slam my brakes causing my son to fly. I turned at next road which was really close to buckle him back in, BUT I ran the stop signs 😭
Got a call that day and because I was on the opposite side of the road that I'd only get a citation, but yesterday I got a call back saying I had to go to court because it's a gross misdemeanor. I'm physically ill. What if on top of the charges they also get me for not having my son buckled (even though he thinks it's hilarious to unbuckle himself)? Am I double fucked?
Ss3mom·
What did they tell u on the phone? Did they say what kind of charges and punishment u would get? Did u actually get pulled over? Or did someone just report u? So are they saying that 1 u ran the stop sign and 2 u didn’t stop for the bus? Like what exactly are the citations for? Sorry I have a bunch of follow up questions. I don’t have any personal experience but maybe can help with what u should do ya know?
QueenB·
Мама сына (3 года), беременна (19 нед.)
@ss3mom, the bus driver called me in, I didn't get pulled over. I did not stop for the school busses stop sign (Son would have went flying). The original phone call, the cop told me it was only a citation (aka fine) since I was on the opposite side of the road, but got a second later phone call saying it was a gross misdemeanor.
QueenB·
Мама сына (3 года), беременна (19 нед.)
It was out in the country roads, speed limit is 55, I was already braking as fast as I felt comfortable with, with an unbuckled 3yo. Bus driver over exaggerated how far I was away, cause you seriously cannot see what's over the hill til you reach the top and that's where we "met"
Cams ·
So it’s his word against yours? I find it weird that you can even be cited without a police officer present. I would fight it and seek advice from an attorney. Don’t speak with anyone else.
Raquel·
I would go to court and fight it. It’s the drivers word against your word so DENY DENY DENY. Legally it’ll all be hearsay information an officer needed to have been present to witness what happened to be able to cite you, I agree with @cams seek legal advice don’t talk to anyone about this and fight it.
QueenB·
Мама сына (3 года), беременна (19 нед.)
Thank you guys for not giving me crap for being that shitty person who passes busses. I normally am the person to always comply with police so I just find it strange he was questioning me over the phone and asking for my address, which he should have seen under my car info like how he got my #.
Is there a specific lawyer or attorney category I should go to? I already have a family one for child custody but idk if he can do this as well
The EK 💁🏼♀️·
@cams, @raqueliiosiis, Most busses have cameras on them these days so it’s likely her car and plate were also caught on that.
Lanie Jay·
@honeywax, you’re going to get a lot further with honesty.
1. Go back and take pictures. Have someone park where the bus was and take pics as you’re coming over the hill. Speed limits signs, where the street is, etc.
2. Explain that you didn’t feel safe to stop.
3. Explain your child learned to unbuckle himself (it’s not uncommon). What you’re doing to correct the situation.
4. You’re likely on camera having done this. Your best bet is to be humble, explain what was going on and they’ll likely offer you a lesser punishment. Take it.
Raquel·
@ek620, no way I did not know that they record. I know they record inside the bus but not outside the bus.
The EK 💁🏼♀️·
@raqueliiosiis, Yep! Some are even mounted directly on the stop signs. People not stopping for busses is a chronic problem.
QueenB·
Мама сына (3 года), беременна (19 нед.)
@raqueliiosiis, they have Camara on the outside cause it happens all the time. Its most likely how he got my plate number. @laniejay, I can't lie to save my life either way and I wouldn't want to either. Just wanted to know if I'd be extra fucked if I admit my son wasn't buckled despite him doing it himself