In which situation must a person arrested for a traffic violation be taken before a judge?

A person arrested for a traffic violation must be taken before a judge when they refuse to sign the criminal citation. Signing the citation essentially acts as an acknowledgment of the receipt of the violation and an agreement to appear in court at a later date. Refusing to sign indicates a refusal to comply with this process, which requires the individual to be brought before a judge to address the situation legally.

In other scenarios, such as signing the citation or receiving a warning instead of a citation, there is no need for a court appearance since those actions imply a willingness to resolve the issue without requiring judicial intervention. Likewise, the location where the violation occurs, like a school zone, does not automatically necessitate a court appearance unless there are additional factors at play, such as the refusal to sign.