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Stop means stop! Everybody knows that, but few people know the detailed laws that govern that requirement. How far away do you have to stop? When can you go again? What happens if you don’t stop? To find the answers to all of these questions and more, we need to talk about stop sign tickets in Texas.
What Is the Law for Stop Signs in Texas?
Texas’s stop sign laws require you to come to a full and complete stop at the “limit line,” which is the line marked on the road near the stop sign. Failure to stop just before that line can result in you receiving a ticket for running the red light. That’s true even if you stop after you cross the line.
The law also requires that you then proceed with caution, making sure to keep an eye out for any traffic that would otherwise create a hazard. This means giving the right of way to pedestrians and other drivers when they legally possess it.
Penalties for Running a Stop Sign
Run a stop sign in Texas and you just might find out why so many people are talking about Texas’s stop sign tickets. These tickets can carry steep fines, add points to your license (even if you don’t have a Texas license), and more. Here’s a breakdown of the most common penalties that you can face after a conviction for this violation:
A Fine of About $200
The fines for stop sign tickets in Texas vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. What you pay in Dallas might not be the same as what you pay in Austin, for example. However, the average price of a stop sign ticket in Texas will run you just about $200, with pieces generally ranging between $150 and $275.
Two Points on Your License
Texas uses what we call a “point system.” A point system is a method of monitoring problem drivers by keeping track of how many points they have on their records and by assigning points when they are convicted of a moving violation. Parking violations cannot add points to your DPS driving record—but a stop sign ticket sure does.
A stop sign ticket in Texas is worth two points on your record. Even if you are just passing through and have an out-of-state driver license, there is a chance that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will report that conviction back to the state that issued your license.
If that happens, there is a high chance that your home state’s DPS equivalent will examine the conviction, determine whether it matches any point-adding violations in your state, and issue points as if the violation had occurred in that state.
Class C Misdemeanor Conviction
Running a stop sign in Texas is a Class C misdemeanor. That means it’s not just a traffic violation—it’s a crime. Although still a criminal offense, Class C misdemeanors are less severe than Class A or Class B misdemeanors and do not come with a risk of jail time. However, if you meet any of the two following requirements, you could face up to 180 days in a county correctional facility:
- Commit the violation out of prejudice or bias against somebody (e.g. a hate crime).
- Commit the violation while using drugs.
Increased Insurance Rates
Many people wrongly believe that the government-imposed financial penalties (e.g. fines and fees) are the most expensive part of traffic tickets in Texas. The truth is that the most expensive penalty is often the insurance rate increase that happens as a result of your conviction.
One study showed that similar violations led to an average increase of 22.7% for three full years. That means, if you’re paying the average of $1,827 in annual premiums ($152.25 each month), a conviction for this offense could result in your premium being increased to $2,241.73 (about $186.81 each month). That’s an annual difference of $414.73, which can apply for at least three years.
Multiply that difference by three and you’re looking at a total increase of $1,244.19—more than six times the average cost of a fine for this offense.
Does Running a Stop Sign Go on Your Record in Texas?
Yes. Not only does running a stop sign go on your driving record in Texas, it also goes on your criminal record. To clarify, a conviction for running a stop sign will leave you with a criminal record.
This will show up on background checks, driving history reports, and more. Although the points and conviction will no longer be visible on your public driving record after three years, the conviction will remain on your criminal record for much longer.
What Are My Options if I’m Charged With Running a Stop Sign?
If you’re charged with running a stop sign, you have four options. Which option will be best for you is best determined by an expert traffic ticket attorney in your area. Find one on the WinIt app and consult with them to determine how best to proceed with your case.
Plead Not Guilty and Proceed to Trial
The best possible outcome of a case such as this is to have the case dismissed prior to trial. To do so—in fact, to contest the ticket at all—you will first need to plead not guilty. Then, prepare for court. Without a lawyer, you will need to spend every night between now and then studying legal precedent, court cases, etc. in order to have even a slight chance of beating the prosecutor, who’s likely been doing this every day for the last few years.
Negotiate With the Prosecutor and Consider a Plea Bargain
If a dismissal or a not-guilty verdict doesn’t seem likely, you should consider negotiating with the prosecutor to obtain a plea bargain. A plea bargain is a legally binding agreement between you and the government that requires you to plead guilty (or, in some cases, nolo contendere) to a lesser crime in exchange for reduced penalties.
Unfortunately, plea bargaining still results in a conviction, which can expose you to significant penalties either way.
File a Preliminary Motion Challenging Constitutional Violations in Gathering Evidence
This is something that a criminal defense attorney excels at. It’s also a rare option and unlikely to apply in your specific case. However, if your lawyer determines that your Constitutional rights were violated to obtain the evidence against you, it’s possible that they may be able to convince the judge to throw out the case.
Ask the Court To Award a Deferral of the Charges
In some cases, Texas courts will grant deferrals for a few months. Then, if you meet specific requirements (typically taking and completing a state-approved defensive driving course), the judge will dismiss the charges against you.
What if Running a Stop Sign Causes an Accident?
If you run a stop sign and that results in an accident, you will most likely receive a ticket for running the stop sign as well as significant other penalties.
Causing an at-fault accident can increase your insurance even higher than and in addition to the increase for the ticket. Moreover, you could be held financially responsible for the damages to the other person and/or their property and be sued as a result.
In such a case, your best bet is to plead not guilty to your traffic ticket and have it dismissed in court. If that’s not possible, your second best bet would be to convince the judge to accept a nolo contendere plea.
Hire an Attorney Through Appwinit.com To Fight Your Case
If you’ve been charged with running a stop sign in Texas, the first thing you should do is contact a lawyer through the WinIt app. To know how best to protect yourself from the severe consequences and penalties associated with a conviction for this Class C misdemeanor, you’ll need to speak with a lawyer about the specific circumstances surrounding your case. They’ll tell you what to do next and how best to prepare for court.
