Can an operator who refuses to sign a citation be arrested for that refusal?

When considering whether an operator who refuses to sign a citation can be arrested for that refusal, the correct understanding is that it is not considered a crime. Refusing to sign a citation on its own does not constitute a criminal act.

The purpose of signing a citation is generally to acknowledge receipt of it and to agree to a court date rather than admitting guilt. Therefore, the refusal to sign should not result in criminal charges against the individual. Law enforcement may still proceed with other actions or citations, but the act of refusing to sign does not give grounds for arrest.

This context highlights the distinction between administrative compliance and criminal law; an individual's refusal does not elevate the situation to a crime that would warrant arrest. While the police may have procedures in place regarding how to handle situations of non-compliance, simply refusing to sign is not, in itself, an arrestable offense.