In PA, we are pretty much in the middle with offenders passing school buses with their lights on. The fines range from$300-600, but we go for the throat on the first offense. The Judge will often hand down a fine in the $600 range and pull the driver’s license for about another 6 months. It’s actually a felony in this state, so it’s also possible to get jail time, unless you are remorseful and willing to accept responsibility.
If the police show any video, the offender’s goose is cooked. Video is really helpful in these matters. There have been times when the driver will contend he wasn’t driving so as not to get the points on his license. You really can’t see the driver on video, but every now and then you get lucky to see a shirt or part of a tattoo. If he or she says in court that they weren’t drinking, the judge will ask who was?
The answer is usually a sister or best friend. The Judge will then ask why they didn’t bring their alibi to court with them. This is where the defendant will look stunned and say “I don’t know.”
Then comes the verdict, “Guilty! See the bailiff.”