What level of crime is assigned when a driver illegally passes a school bus displaying an extended stop signal?

When a driver illegally passes a school bus that is displaying an extended stop signal, this action is considered a serious offense due to the potential danger it poses to children who may be getting on or off the bus. In Minnesota, passing a stopped school bus is classified as a gross misdemeanor. This classification reflects the severity of the violation, particularly because it involves safety considerations for vulnerable populations, such as children.

A gross misdemeanor in this context results in more substantial penalties compared to lesser classifications like petty misdemeanors or regular misdemeanors. For example, a gross misdemeanor can carry a higher fine and a longer possible jail sentence. This level of crime underscores how seriously the law treats the safety of school children and the importance of adhering to traffic rules designed to protect them.

The other levels of crime, such as petty misdemeanors and misdemeanors, do not capture the gravity of the act of illegally passing a school bus when the stop signal is extended. A petty misdemeanor might not include jail time, while a regular misdemeanor would generally imply a lower risk to safety, making them inadequate classifications for this particular offense.