1. CHANGES IN DWI & DRUG COURT LEGISLATION
Navigating the Legislative Highway
By: Carla S. Sigler
Assistant District Attorney, Calcasieu Parish
14th Judicial District Adult Drug & DWI Court Coordinator

3. DWI Legislation SB 277 provides for major changes
It will not be effective until 1/1/2015
Essentially, major changes to the law to make it easier to understand
It is basically a complete re-organization of LSA-R.S. 14:98, the DWI statute
It was the product of combined efforts of prosecution, defense, courts, and others

4. After LSA-R.S. 14:98(A), which defines DWI elements of the offense and still does, the entirety of the statute is re-organized.
Current provisions (B) through (K) are being deleted
The new (B) is going to be the “Child Endangerment Law” of the DWI statute
The new (C) will define what to look at to see if the defendant has prior convictions

5. The new (D) will be penalties
The new (D) will be penalties. It is designed to be easier to read and follow.
The new (E) will provide that the legislature finds that conviction for a third or subsequent operating while intoxicated offense is “presumptive evidence of the existence of a substance abuse disorder that poses a serious threat to the health and safety of the public. Further, the legislature finds that there are successful treatment methods available for treatment of addictive disorders.”

6. The new (F) will address vehicle seizure and sale, and makes it mandatory on third or subsequent conviction under LSA-R.S. 14:98 if the prosecutor makes a motion for this
Major bargaining power for the State
Exemptions from seizure and sale include a stolen vehicle, driver of vehicle was not its owner and owner did not know the driver was driving the vehicle while intoxicated, and if there is a valid lienholder
This will create interesting court scenarios

7. The new (G) provides that if offender on probation under this article does not complete required substance abuse treatment, or violates any other probation condition, which includes home incarceration conditions, his probation may be revoked, and he can be ordered to serve the rest of the sentence of imprisonment without being given credit for time served on home incarceration

8. LSA-R.S. 14:98.1 will become the penalty statute for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, first offense
LSA-R.S. 14:98.2 becomes the penalty statute for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, second offense
LSA-R.S. 14:98.3 will be the penalty statute for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, third offense
LSA-R.S. 14:98.4 contains the penalties for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, fourth and subsequent offense

10. LSA-R.S. 14:98.5 contains special provisions and definitions
It states that an offender shall pay the costs of any substance abuse program, home incarceration, or driver improvement program, and if such payment is not made the offender shall be subject to revocation unless the court determines the person cannot pay
If there is a conviction for a third or subsequent offense, and if the court determines that the offender cannot pay these costs, then the state pays

11. On completion of the program or programs in question, the court can require the defendant to reimburse the state for all or a portion of the costs
The court does so via a payment schedule that it determines
This does not apply to substance abuse treatment imposed as a probation condition under LSA-R.S. 14:98.3(B)(2) or LSA-R.S. 14:98.4(B)(3)

12. Home incarceration is also addressed by LSA-R.S. 14:98.5
If there is a felony violation of LSA-R.S. 14:98, the mandatory minimum sentence the court imposes cannot be served on home incarceration unless either:
(1) the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (via Probation and Parole) recommends the defendant’s home incarceration and specific conditions for it;
(2) The District Attorney recommends home incarceration.

14. More conditions of LSA-R.S. 14:98.5
Lots of exceptions and conditions for home incarceration; read them thoroughly
For instance, special conditions the court must impose include: (a) electronic monitoring (unless less than 5 days of home incarceration ordered on a first or second conviction); (b) curfew restrictions; (c) employment must be obtained; (d) participation in court-approved driver improvement program, if not already a condition of probation; and (e) activities outside of the home specifically limited to work, church, etc.

15. More LSA-R.S. 14:85 Ignition interlock devices addressed
Community service activities defined
Again, lots of conditions so make sure your sentences comply with it

16. LSA-R.S. 14:85 conditions continued
If offender is convicted of a second violation of an operating while intoxicated crime committed within 5 years of the commission of any prior such offense, he is not eligible for home incarceration until he has served 48 consecutive hours minimum of imprisonment
If the offender is on probation for a third or subsequent offense or a second offense of LSA-R.S. 14:98

17. LSA-R.S. 14:98.6 is now the offense of underage operating while intoxicated
Blood alcohol limit for minors is still .02 percent or more per 100 cc of blood if the operator is under age 21
This statute has the penalties for underage operating listed in it

18. LSA-R.S. 14:98.7 is unlawful refusal to submit to chemical tests and penalties for it
LSA-R.S. 14:98.8 is operating a vehicle while under suspension for certain prior offenses

19. Why choose Drug or DWI Court?
Under LSA-R.S. 14:98.3 (third offense operating while intoxicated penalties), there is a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of one year with or without hard labor which cannot be suspended unless offender is accepted into a Drug Court Program
Under LSA-R.S. 14:98.4 (fourth offense), there is a mandatory minimum of two years of imprisonment unless offender is accepted into Drug Court Program (exception: third or subsequent with prior participation in such a program)

20. Other notable DWI law change
HB 511; there is no longer a ten-year cleansing period for convictions of vehicular homicide and first degree vehicular negligent injuring; a conviction for either one now counts as a prior conviction no matter what date it occurred relative to the current crime
Effective date: August 1, 2014

21. Changes to Drug Court Legislation
Act No. 377, impacted LSA-R.S. 13:5304(B)
Effective date: August 1, 2014
A defendant with a prior felony conviction for a defined crime of violence (listed in LSA-R.S. 14:2), except for a homicide, is now eligible for Drug Court participation
The crime currently before the court cannot be a defined crime of violence listed in LSA-R.S. 14:2, or an offense of domestic abuse battery punishable by imprisonment at hard labor as provided by LSA-R.S. 14:35.3

22. What stayed the same?
No pending criminal proceedings against the defendant alleging a crime of violence
Crime before the court cannot be one of driving under the influence of alcohol or any other drug that resulted in a person’s death

23. Exceptions discussed
No prior homicide convictions pursuant to LSA-R.S. 14:29
That means no convictions for first degree murder, second degree murder, manslaughter, negligent homicide, and vehicular homicide
LSA-R.S. 14:35.3 hard labor sentence is a third conviction or fourth or subsequent conviction for domestic abuse battery
List of violent crimes in LSA-R.S. 14:2: Check the current version of the statute; proposed changes and changes to it every year

24. What does this mean for us?
A greater potential client base
More people we can try to help
Countervailing concerns: screen very carefully when you put someone with a prior violent conviction in your program
Be prepared to justify your reasons
Public safety and perception of your program will be an even greater concern

25. Miscellaneous laws of import
HB licenses plates can now be removed on motor vehicles driven by persons with suspended or revoked driver’s licenses (effective date August 1, 2014)
HB driver’s license is suspended for 24 months for those convicted of DWI 2ND (effective date August 1, 2014)
Length of suspension is dependent on number of priors within last 10 years
Vehicular negligent injuring is treated like a DWI conviction

26. More laws
HB drivers cannot use certain cellular devices during school zones (effective date August 1, 2014)
Requires posting of a sign in the school zone
There are multiple exceptions to law, including emergencies and “hands free” devices
Applies to calls, texts, and s

27. HB 150; amended LSA-R.S. 32:57, the careless operation statute, to provide for 250 hours of court-approved community service and a potential driver’s license suspension of 2 years when careless operation of a motor vehicle proximately or directly causes a human being’s death when the operator fails to maintain control of the vehicle due to falling asleep
Effective date: August 1, 2014

28. HB 1024; now there are enhanced penalties for violations of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law when the offense occurs on any property used by a school for its activities, or within 2,000 feet of it
Effective date: August 1, 2014

29. Controlled dangerous substances laws
HB 229; added 15 substances to the Schedule I controlled dangerous substances list
Effective date: August 1, 2014
HB 212; added new substances to Schedule II, III, & IV
HB 514; prohibits the sale, purchase, or attempt to purchase products containing dextromethorphan by minors (these are non-prescription products)

30. Probation and Parole
HB 1257; State entitled to contradictory hearing for probation termination/modification if it wants one
Effective date: August 1, 2014
Before this statute was enacted, State often did not know of changes/termination of probation

31. Re-entry courts
HB 274; authorizes the 1st and 26th Judicial District Courts to establish re-entry courts
Effective date: August 1, 2014
Statute now allows re-entry courts in the 1st, 11th, 15th, 19th, 22nd, 24th, 26th, and Orleans Criminal District Court

32. Veteran’s Courts SB 532; authorizes creation of Veteran’s Courts
LSA-R.S. 13:5361 et seq.
Effective date: August 1, 2014
Modeled after the Drug Court statutes, so a familiar methodology to implement