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Defendant pleads no-contest to $1,000 fine for passing stopped school bus
Summary
Josiah Tayer Dunson pleaded nolo contendere to passing a stopped school bus; Judge Hayward accepted the plea and ordered a $1,000 fine (approximately $1,420 with surcharges) and discussed pay-only probation and payment deadlines.
The court accepted a nolo contendere plea from Josiah Tayer Dunson on a charge of passing a stopped school bus. Samantha Adams, speaking for the state, read the factual basis that officers observed the vehicle and recorded speed evidence; Judge Tammy Long Hayward told Dunson the fine for count 1 would be $1,000 and noted possible surcharges that could bring the total to about $1,420.
Hayward used the case as a safety reminder for drivers: "A stop sign on a school bus is just like a stop sign at the end of a street... If you're caught on video passing a school bus, that's a straight $1,000 fine." The judge explained pay options: she said she could give up to 60 days to pay or set a 12-month pay-only probation plan and would suspend supervision fees for an initial period to prioritize payment of fines and fees. Dunson was placed into a breakout room with probation staff to finalize the pay-only option and was then released from the main session.
The state and court emphasized the strict, statutory nature of school-bus offenses and the higher penalty compared with typical stop-sign fines, urging drivers to stop for school buses to protect children and avoid steep penalties.
