Legal Definitions - jaywalking

Jaywalking

Jaywalking is when someone crosses a street illegally. Usually, people have to use crosswalks and wait for the walk signal to cross the street. If someone crosses the street without using the crosswalk or doesn't follow the signals, they can get in trouble for jaywalking. The punishment for jaywalking can vary depending on where you live. Sometimes it's just a small fine, but other times it can be more serious.

Example 1: Sarah was in a hurry to get to work, so she crossed the street in the middle of the block instead of using the crosswalk. A police officer saw her and gave her a ticket for jaywalking.

Example 2: John was walking home from the store and didn't see a "no crossing" sign. He crossed the street and got hit by a car. The police said he was jaywalking and gave him a ticket.

These examples show how people can get in trouble for jaywalking. Sarah didn't use the crosswalk, and John didn't follow the sign. Both of them got tickets for breaking the law.