5.506 — JAYWALKING

Violations of "Statute 5.506" results in an Infraction and a fine of $300

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(a) Definitions

Jaywalking refers to the act of crossing a roadway at a location other than a designated crosswalk, or failing to obey traffic signals or pedestrian rules when crossing the street. This offense typically applies to pedestrians who disregard traffic regulations while walking in areas where vehicles are present.

(b) Elements

To establish the offense of jaywalking, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt the following elements:

1. The defendant was a pedestrian crossing a roadway.

2. The defendant crossed the roadway at a location other than a designated crosswalk, or ignored traffic signals or pedestrian rules.

3. The defendant’s actions were observed by law enforcement or were captured by traffic monitoring systems.

(c) Defenses

Defenses against a charge of jaywalking may include:

• The defendant crossed in a manner that was not clearly dangerous, such as in a location with no vehicular traffic or in areas where crosswalks were not available.

• The defendant was forced to cross the street in an emergency situation where no other options were reasonably available.

• The defendant was unaware of the traffic signals or crossing rules due to a lack of proper signage or obscured visibility.

(d) Aggravating Factors

The court may consider the following aggravating factors when determining the severity of the offense:

• The defendant’s actions caused a dangerous situation, such as forcing a vehicle to brake abruptly or nearly causing an accident.

• The defendant was crossing in a high-traffic area, creating a risk to public safety.

• The defendant has prior violations of pedestrian-related traffic laws, demonstrating a pattern of disregard for traffic rules.