This article outlines the statute that applies to disregarding a police officer’s directions on the roadway in Texas. If you would like to discuss your particular violation with our experienced traffic ticket attorneys after reviewing the law listed below, please feel free to contact our office at 214-321-4105.
Sec. 542.501. OBEDIENCE REQUIRED TO POLICE OFFICERS, SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS, AND ESCORT FLAGGERS.
Traffic Ticket Attorney
A person may not willfully fail or refuse to comply with a lawful order or direction of:
(1) a police officer;
(2) a school crossing guard who:
(A) is performing crossing guard duties in a school crosswalk to stop and yield to a pedestrian; or
(B) has been trained under Section 600.004 and is directing traffic in a school crossing zone; or
(3) an escort flagger who is directing or controlling the flow of traffic in accordance with a permit issued by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles under Subtitle E for the movement of an oversize or overweight vehicle.
Understanding the Offense
Trial Attorneys
As one can see from statute above, it is written in a way that is very broad. So long as the officer’s commands were legal, then the next question is were the commands followed? If they were not, then a violation has occurred. Arguments can be made as to whether or not the commands were specific and understandable enough to be followed, but that depends on the specific circumstances of each case. If you would like to discuss your failure to comply with a police officer’s commands or directions, feel free to contact our traffic ticket attorneys today.
