Court hears red‑light and school‑bus appeal calendar; judge notes $1,000 statutory fine for passing school bus

Clayton County State Court handled a civil calendar of red‑light and school‑bus crossing appeals on July 14, granting several appeals, denying at least one and reminding motorists that state law now imposes a $1,000 fine for passing a stopped school bus.

The court explained that recent state law changes make the penalty for passing a stopped school bus an automatic $1,000 fine; the judge said she has no discretion to reduce that statutory amount and can only provide time to pay. Several appellants produced affidavits or identified a different driver; the court granted appeals for Derek Lashun Alston (affidavit provided), Jamia Ewing, Desiree Keyes and Sandra Smith (the ticket had been issued to a driver other than the named recipient). The court denied the appeal for Shamique Smith after no one appeared to support that challenge.

One appellant, Ibrahim Abdul Hashem, told the court he is on Social Security and asked for extra time; the court offered up to 90 days for payment and asked counsel to capture his email so the court could provide an order with the payment schedule. Another appellant, Yolanda Yvette Gallimore, requested a hearing; the court viewed video evidence in open court, heard Gallimore explain she believed she had time to pass when yellow lights were flashing, and denied the appeal but offered a 90‑day status calendar for payments given her financial circumstances.

Assistant Solicitor General (ASG) Tipton handled video reviews and coordinated with the courtroom for people who were present. The judge asked appellants who wanted an order emailed to provide an address to tipton through the chat. The courtroom recorded several granted appeals and at least one denial on the record.

Speakers included the presiding judge, ASG Tipton, court staff and multiple appellants and their representatives.