Judge Hayward grants several school‑bus and traffic camera appeals, citing video timing and visibility
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Summary
In a 2 p.m. calendar segment, the court reviewed multiple red‑light and school‑bus camera appeals. Several appeals were granted where video quality or timing left uncertainty about whether stop arms were deployed; a small number were denied when footage showed the stop arm deployed before crossing.
During the Sept. 15 calendar call Judge Tammy Long Hayward heard a series of appeals arising from automated enforcement events (school‑bus stop arms and traffic‑control devices). Prosecutors reviewed camera footage and the court made case‑by‑case determinations.
Appeals granted: For several defendants (including Marjorie Celestin, Brigitte Sims, Ursula Segoes, Rita Reddick and others), the court found either the stop arm deployed after the defendant had passed the bus or the camera footage did not permit reliable identification of the specific vehicle at fault. In one hearing the judge explained that video quality made it impossible to single out a vehicle from several cars that passed the bus at the same time; the judge granted the appeal on that basis.
Appeals denied: Where the video clearly showed the stop arm deployed and the defendant’s vehicle passing the stopped bus inside the prohibited zone, the court denied the appeal (the transcript records at least one denial). In a number of granted appeals the court told motorists to be cautious and to expect a stop arm whenever a school bus is stopped along the roadway.
Where the state requested additional documentation (affidavits filed through violationinfo.com), the judge allowed dismissal or conditional dismissal after the affidavit was properly submitted by a vehicle owner or designee.