Can MN State Troopers Write Tickets for an Infraction They Did Not Witness?

If someone reports your bad driving to the authorities, it will be investigated, and you could get a ticket even though law enforcement didn't see you commit the violation.

Sgt. Troy Christianson of the Minnesota State Patrol says, "A peace officer may arrest or issue a citation for some traffic violations and a number of misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offenses even if the officer didn’t witness it."

The traffic infractions include:

·     Driving through columns of school children (within 4 hours)       

·     DWI                                                                                                                                 

·     Failure to stop at a railroad crossing (within 4 hours)       

·     Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle (within 4 hours)        

·     Railroad crossing violation (within 4 hours)       

·     School bus stop arm violations (within 4 hours)       

·     School cross walk violation (within 4 hours)       

Christianson reminds you that you can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and always drive sober.