[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6149760,"mediaKeyId","5510820-6a75165978a934193ddb10f7fb163b14","parentId",5510820,"title","Judge convicts driver of failure to yield after neighborhood collision; $100 fine with surcharges ordered","audioSeconds",1604,"startMs",2252000,"endMs",3856000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5510820-6a75165978a934193ddb10f7fb163b14&start=2252&end=3856","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5510820-6a75165978a934193ddb10f7fb163b14/thumbnail_2252000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6149760/Texas/Judge-convicts-driver-of-failure-to-yield-after-neighborhood-collision-100-fine-with-surcharges-ordered","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149760-ab9d1d05587b761c2b8cdfc1c70b092d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770744433&Signature=EIC~Cdo1PEy8yL-jZ2qHWCzP22tnHz1k8pksoIsZiPDg8uPE-ltljSLy-lH4sM5Uzc4FW3BFRykRhsUFphl-n0Ee08smuF7lUfBiU~D9y0e~f7uSf5cIsaCpa5knaOhNs6mtTKs1ze6Vlif-LSOi5MDkguQDq8uIiYzn8YIlBIV758H46IbYSWtoDREMh9zEVW7sQOdxqontjOmPG3vFo2LtaB6cKjLOh-E4azWMSJEWXN7JKVN9IqmdXIXHJA1EfZqmMxmnlFtZqNBUd6kkXXsIU8lqJHLy-t7i2xQt-sZEoPuxiJfA9KKyNqZoxlWhPawKGt9AlOrmVu7u1rrQYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-30T14:09:36Z","article","A Clayton County state judge found Earl Middlebrooks guilty Thursday of failing to yield the right of way after a January 2024 crash and ordered a $100 fine, plus required surcharges totaling $151.50, with 60 days to pay.

The case was heard in a bench trial before Judge Tammy Long Hayward. Detective Crystal Richards of the Clayton County Police Department testified that when she responded to the crash on Flat Shoals Road and Castle Gate Drive she observed rear damage on Middlebrooks’s vehicle and front-right damage on the other vehicle, and that Middlebrooks told her he had been reversing from his driveway. \"I did issue a citation for the failure to yield a right away of traffic,\" Detective Richards testified.

State prosecutor Mr. Tipton urged conviction, arguing the physical damage and the officer’s investigation supported a finding that Middlebrooks entered the roadway unsafely. During his testimony, Middlebrooks said he was in his driveway and that the other vehicle “barely clipped my front bumper.” The court permitted Middlebrooks to testify after the state rested its case.

Judge Hayward said the vehicle already on the roadway has the right of way and that drivers entering or leaving driveways must make sure the roadway is clear. \"The court will find you guilty of the offense of failure to yield the right of way,\" she said.

The judge declined the prosecutor’s request for a higher fine, stating a $100 penalty (plus surcharges) was sufficient and allowed Middlebrooks 60 days to pay. The court also directed staff to send Middlebrooks a sentencing sheet and payment instructions by email.

The charge on the calendar was listed as case 2024TK01920 for failure to yield the right of way. The state presented Detective Richards as its primary witness and rested after her testimony; Middlebrooks testified in his own defense before the verdict.

Several other cases on the court’s traffic calendar that day were continued, dismissed, or resolved by plea because officers were unavailable or reported conflicts, the judge noted at the calendar’s conclusion.

Middlebrooks is free to appeal the bench decision under court rules; the transcript does not record any immediate post-trial motion or an appeal filing.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Clayton State 304's Personal Meeting Room","oneSentenceSummary","A Clayton County state judge found Earl Middlebrooks guilty Thursday of failing to yield the right of way in a January 2024 crash and ordered a $100 fine plus surcharges, with 60 days to pay.","taxTitle","Clayton County State Court 304, Texas Courts, Judicial, Texas","taxId",66308,"location","Texas","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6149745,"Clayton County traffic calendar marked by officer conflicts and many no-pros; judge urges clearer scheduling",4650,64000,4714000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5510820-6a75165978a934193ddb10f7fb163b14&start=64&end=4714","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5510820-6a75165978a934193ddb10f7fb163b14/thumbnail_64000.jpg","/articles/6149745/Texas/Clayton-County-traffic-calendar-marked-by-officer-conflicts-and-many-no-pros-judge-urges-clearer-scheduling","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149745-555170e06f93cf92f90543083c1de246/orig.mp4?Expires=1770744433&Signature=Y-TBGmMlj~6daEvBErjMa91zJO7Zp486LMcLVAvz6QENbvrCzjyBvL5o9Wug0XNoCuUanwractyInN6jA4Zb1vCsQxd7kQaesXTYXKWwIR2y0o-awB-~93lXBoGysnDIzYEHr-gS7CPLW1PB35oBQ3dc6H655LSa8PqZN5ij6ovxd-SG9TUa1JMAOpCQGQTK4Cs4nE6GlnH5DubYXmBafYsrxLbAwHBk4wQ5g0HyAUJ8-xf7P-xQPyXF2Pie~ZIrbYYPxmmjy3NU0Uos4L6UNzzGi6NQCIXq6Y36lC5Khzs1rWofN140q4lNNmez6CZb3RHhZTaFTIm6XRymr2v8sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The 10:00 a.m. traffic calendar in Clayton County State Court on Thursday was disrupted repeatedly as several arresting officers reported conflicts, training sessions or were otherwise unavailable, leading prosecutors to request resets, no-pros (nolle prosequi) and failures-to-appear across the docket.

Judge Tammy Long Hayward presided over a calendar that included arraignments, bench trials and plea offers. Throughout the morning the prosecutor, identified in the transcript as Mr. Tipton, repeatedly sounded for officers and informed the court when officers were on military leave, in training, making arrests, or unable to attend. For example, officers Arnold and Chavez were on leave; Officer Billingsley reported he was in training and asked to be scheduled as late in the calendar as possible.

Those absences produced many administrative case outcomes: the record shows multiple no-pros and failure-to-appear notations, several plea resolutions where defendants accepted suspended fines, and multiple resets because the state could not confirm officer availability. The judge reviewed the dispositions near the end of the calendar and listed which matters were closed, reset, no-pros or pleas.

Judge Hayward asked participants with iPhones to rename their Zoom tiles with full first and last names so the court could identify who was present. The judge also repeatedly instructed defendants on their rights during arraignment and trial opportunities, and emphasized that defendants who wished counsel should request arraignment so appointed counsel could be considered.

Several defendants resolved their cases via NOLO pleas or guilty pleas with suspended fines where driving histories supported that resolution; others were given trial dates or had cases reset because the officer could not appear. Multiple defendants were excused or released after the state moved to nolle prosequi on their cases.

The transcript shows the judge urged better coordination and noted the calendar took longer than usual because of the repeated officer conflicts; she directed clerks and prosecutors to provide notices for reset dates and sentencing paperwork to defendants as needed.

","Multiple traffic cases on Thursday’s Clayton County calendar were continued, dismissed or resolved by plea after law enforcement officers reported conflicts, training or were absent. Judge Tammy Long Hayward noted the calendar was slowed by officers on leave or in training and summarized numerous dispositions at the conclusion of the call.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6149750,"Judge finds driver not guilty after camera review showed both vehicles entered lane simultaneously",1068,7578000,8646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5510820-6a75165978a934193ddb10f7fb163b14&start=7578&end=8646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5510820-6a75165978a934193ddb10f7fb163b14/thumbnail_7578000.jpg","/articles/6149750/Texas/Judge-finds-driver-not-guilty-after-camera-review-showed-both-vehicles-entered-lane-simultaneously","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149750-de102b8618417416bbcdd49f95d08bf0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770744433&Signature=TKeIZuTzEvcvuJqOg~lgdTaxaZbhBTraZpRfIpgGGTnXyog-gi9mklekMYoShm9jXsI5Udi31OpcYR4WnPeVqd6mSznLUvQOi79HGBPgvWhtN1H7~JP6XMmvS8i1Rs8s-iS6SeIXm-bEpF9gUJsWyii9AQzRnmJHtcHHawgPh61mkMQ~ZB1yZaTU9D4cJQ9n9APh~OOhJ251rkt44-1uKVzD0zldR2hQSFf-zkFvvJDDKxX4jy50TQTqoQFjWrOPtr3hO7oypkm5kC7Cr1e7JHO-YqvZx0O4Sk~VfJLQ3bZcrIUYuU40dCD4gyhiVB37KTZLHEcLvLZsjN2gFQ1nxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Clayton County judge on Thursday found a driver not guilty of an improper lane change after police reviewed roadway camera footage that showed both vehicles entered the same lane simultaneously.

Officer Ella Kirillova of the Clayton County Police Department testified that she responded to a sideswipe collision on Tara Boulevard and reviewed nearby camera footage. \"Both vehicles entered the same lane at the same time,\" she said, summarizing what she saw on the recording.

Kirillova told the court that initial statements suggested one driver might be at fault for changing lanes unsafely, but the surveillance footage showed the two vehicles moved into the center lane at nearly the same time. Because the video showed mutual contributions to the crash, the officer said she classified both drivers as contributing to the collision.

After hearing testimony and examining the diagram and camera evidence in court, the judge said the state had not proved the defendant was solely at fault beyond a reasonable doubt and entered a not-guilty finding. The transcript records the judge’s disposition as an acquittal; the defendant was released at the end of the proceeding.

The charge was listed as an improper lane change in case 202404061. The officer prepared an accident diagram and reviewed camera footage for the court. The transcript does not show any further motion or appeal at the hearing.

","An officer who investigated a two-vehicle sideswipe on Tara Boulevard told the court camera footage showed both drivers moved into the same lane at the same moment; the judge acquitted the defendant for lack of proof one-sided fault.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6149755,"Driver found guilty of running stop sign after officer dashcam and bodycam evidence; $300 fine ordered",1253,6551000,7804000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5510820-6a75165978a934193ddb10f7fb163b14&start=6551&end=7804","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5510820-6a75165978a934193ddb10f7fb163b14/thumbnail_6551000.jpg","/articles/6149755/Texas/Driver-found-guilty-of-running-stop-sign-after-officer-dashcam-and-bodycam-evidence-300-fine-ordered","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149755-f99e18f1ac334d5bbc2cc7373b141c27/orig.mp4?Expires=1770744433&Signature=ey8u~8ZtWk3rErIOSgEv5du-PErmjiNdROBi6jpQiiZcKEgpY9tZ9P9Zke7ef7I-U19w8VLOcaa5upetrEa1wQSq473ln1UF8ht0wsjh3ksbOd9rPs78n6KWwWiMXwfIunJ223ZXsPPv3Pd3Dsj851obn0D2cTzS0y9inK4BNjK2N1r~0-xj~RaVBNlsQDUe6vrAtSK4zT8NZh1RHL9I-z0PrPkdaumrDogp6KSiTU4lX0M9QF7A0iPc7imLmfsZL2hSGryhGzrmxdhXJ5RAAaic5MA2HzimooRQ6zatvf-lVTp4K-BGjX84QvCjEafqOJfQcc4p-EDBL1AUWiRHfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Clayton County judge found Janaya Monique Clark guilty on Thursday of failing to stop at a stop sign after the state played officer dashcam and bodycam footage and called Detective Pearson as a witness. The court imposed a $300 fine, with surcharges that bring the total to $444, and gave Clark 30 days to pay.

Detective Pearson of the Clayton County Police Department identified the dashcam video for the court and said she observed the vehicle proceed through the stop sign without making a complete stop. \"No. She did not make a complete stop,\" Detective Pearson testified when asked whether the driver stopped.

The prosecutor played both the patrol dashcam and the officer’s body-worn camera. The officer testified that the dashcam captured the vehicle passing through the intersection and that the bodycam recorded the subsequent traffic stop and the driver’s acknowledgment that she had not made a complete stop.

Judge Tammy Long Hayward said the state met its burden and observed that Clark’s on-camera remarks amounted to an admission. \"I've seen enough. The state has made its case. You're guilty,\" the judge said.

Prosecutors requested a $300 fine based on Clark’s prior driving history; the judge imposed that amount and ordered payment within 30 days or otherwise face the usual enforcement consequences. The transcript records that the state relied on the dashcam and bodycam evidence; the defense made argument but declined to call additional witnesses.

The charge was recorded on the calendar as case 202401541 for failure to stop at a posted stop sign within Clayton County. The transcript does not show any immediate post-decision motion.

","Janaya Monique Clark was found guilty after Officer Pearson presented dashcam and bodycam footage showing a failure to make a complete stop at a stop sign. The judge imposed a $300 fine plus surcharges totaling $444 and gave the defendant 30 days to pay.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Judge convicts driver of failure to yield after neighborhood collision; $100 fine with surcharges ordered

Clayton County traffic calendar marked by officer conflicts and many no-pros; judge urges clearer scheduling

Judge finds driver not guilty after camera review showed both vehicles entered lane simultaneously

Driver found guilty of running stop sign after officer dashcam and bodycam evidence; $300 fine ordered