No 

No. 98-106

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

1998 MT 323

STATE OF MONTANA, 

Plaintiff and Respondent,

v. 

RUDY STANKO,

Defendant and Appellant. 

APPEAL FROM: District Court of the Tenth Judicial District,

In and for the County of Fergus,

The Honorable John R. Christensen, Judge presiding.

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COUNSEL OF RECORD:

For Appellant:

Penelope S. Strong, Livingston, Montana

For Respondent:

Joseph P. Mazurek, Attorney General, Patricia J. Jordan, Assistant Attorney General, Helena, Montana; Thomas 

P. Meissner, Fergus County Attorney, Lewistown, Montana

Submitted on Briefs: August 20, 1998

Decided: December 24, 1998

Filed:

__________________________________________

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Clerk

Justice James C. Nelson delivered the Opinion of the Court.

¶1. Defendant Rudy Stanko (Stanko) appeals his conviction in the District Court for 

the Tenth Judicial District, Fergus County, of two counts of reckless driving. We 

affirm.

¶2. We address the following issues on appeal:

¶3. 1. Does § 46-13-401(2), MCA, providing a six-month period in which to try 

misdemeanors, apply to a trial de novo in District Court?

¶4. 2. Was Stanko bound by his counsel's consent to a continuance as to one count 

which was joined for trial with a second count in which Stanko was representing 

himself?

¶5. 3. Did the District Court err in denying Stanko's motion to dismiss in which he 

argued that no one was injured and excessive speed could not be the sole basis for a 

charge of reckless driving?

¶6. 4. Did the District Court err in denying Stanko's Motion to Dismiss for Selective 

Prosecution?

¶7. 5. Is § 61-8-301, MCA, prohibiting reckless driving, unconstitutionally vague as 

applied to the facts in this case?

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¶8. 6. Did the District Court err in denying Stanko's proposed jury instruction 

defining wanton and willful conduct?

Factual and Procedural Background

¶9. On August 13, 1996, at 11:45 a.m., Highway Patrol Officer Barb Lobdell was 

southbound on U.S. 87 near mile marker 33 when she observed a 1996 purple 

Camaro driving north at a high rate of speed. Officer Lobdell turned on her radar 

unit and clocked the vehicle as it crested a hill. The radar unit indicated that the 

vehicle was traveling 117 mph. Officer Lobdell activated her lights and set off in 

pursuit of the vehicle. The vehicle slowed down as it approached a semi-trailer and 

stopped when the driver noticed the lights of Officer Lobdell's patrol car. Officer 

Lobdell cited Stanko, the driver of the vehicle, for reckless driving pursuant to § 61-8-

301, MCA. The citation read: "Reckless Driving! 117 mph over Crest of Hill on 

Narrow Road Moderate Traffic." This charge will be referred to throughout this 

opinion as "the Lobdell charge."

¶10. On October 1, 1996, at 4:30 p.m., Highway Patrol Officer Virginia Kinsey was 

driving north on U.S. 87 near mile marker 31 when she observed a 1978 Lincoln 

Continental coming toward her at a high rate of speed. Her visibility was 

momentarily cut off by a hill. When she observed the vehicle drive over the crest of 

the hill, she activated her radar unit and clocked the vehicle at 121 mph. Officer 

Kinsey cited Stanko, the driver of the vehicle, for reckless driving pursuant to § 61-8-

301, MCA. The citation read, "operate a vehicle in a reckless manner 121 mph 

coming over crest of hill." This charge will be referred to throughout this opinion as 

"the Kinsey charge."

¶11. The two charges were joined for trial in Justice Court and Stanko was convicted 

of two counts of reckless driving. He appealed to the District Court for a trial de 

novo. On June 25, 1997, the District Court held a scheduling conference and 

subsequently issued a scheduling order wherein trial was set for September 4, 1997. 

The scheduling order did not specify a time limit for the filing of pretrial motions 

other than that they were to be filed so that they could be heard before trial. In this 

order the court recognized that Stanko intended to represent himself on the Lobdell 

charge and an attorney would represent him on the Kinsey charge.

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¶12. On September 2, 1997, Stanko filed several pretrial motions regarding the 

Lobdell charge including a Motion to Dismiss for Selective Prosecution and a Motion 

to Dismiss for Vagueness and for Failure to have Knowledge or Intent. On 

September 5, 1997, the State filed a motion to continue the trial set for September 4, 

1997, as Officer Kinsey was unavailable for trial due to an unexpected hospital stay. 

The motion was dated September 2, 1997, and the certificate of service 

accompanying the motion noted that it was mailed to Stanko and his counsel on 

September 3, 1997. Although the State declared in its motion that Stanko's counsel 

did not object to a continuance, it did not mention Stanko's position as to the 

continuance.

¶13. On September 2, 1997, the District Court held an in-chambers conference on the 

State's motion and, by order dated September 6, 1997, the court continued the 

matter until December 29, 1997. Stanko's counsel was present at this conference, but 

Stanko was not. Stanko subsequently filed a written objection to the motion to 

continue contending that it violated his right to a speedy trial. He specifically 

objected to the court proceeding with the hearing without him, to the setting of a new 

trial date, to his counsel's failure to consult with him regarding the continuance and 

to the court's failure to timely notify him of the hearing. On November 17, 1997, the 

court denied Stanko's various pretrial motions giving no basis for its denial of those 

motions.

¶14. A trial by jury was held on December 29, 1997. Prior to trial, Stanko's counsel 

objected to the trial going forward on the grounds that Stanko's speedy trial rights 

had been denied since he was not brought to trial within six months as provided for 

in § 46-13-401(2), MCA. The court denied this objection on the grounds that § 46-13-

401(2), MCA, does not apply to appeals from justice court.

¶15. At trial, Officer Kinsey testified that the two-lane road upon which Stanko was 

traveling was narrow with a one-foot shoulder and a sloped embankment. She stated 

that although farm and ranch vehicles and machinery use the road, traffic in the 

area was light that day. However, she had observed pheasants at the side of the road 

and she was aware that deer frequented the area. She testified that she cited Stanko 

for reckless driving because he was traveling at an excessive speed over a hill where 

he had no visibility and if he had encountered anything in the road, he would not 

have been able to stop. 

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¶16. Officer Lobdell testified that she cited Stanko for reckless driving because he 

was endangering everyone on the road by traveling at a high speed on a narrow road 

as he crested a hill. She also testified that although traffic in the area was moderate 

on the day she cited Stanko, there was the potential for tourist traffic on the road, 

such as campers and boats, as well as farm and ranch vehicles. 

¶17. At the close of the State's case, Stanko and his counsel moved for a directed 

verdict on both counts. The court denied the motion.

¶18. In his defense, Stanko testified that he drives approximately 6,000 miles per 

month and that he has never had an accident. He admitted that he was consciously 

driving at speeds of 117 mph and 121 mph at the times he was cited. However, he 

contended that he was not acting recklessly as his vehicles are in good condition and 

he is accustomed to driving at high speeds since he had raced stock cars at one time. 

¶19. The jury found Stanko guilty on both counts. The court sentenced him to a fine 

of $250 on each count and to 30 days in jail on the Lobdell charge and 120 days in 

jail on the Kinsey charge with the sentences to run concurrently. Stanko appeals the 

District Court's judgment and sentence.

Issue 1.

¶20. Does § 46-13-401(2), MCA, providing a six-month period in which to try 

misdemeanors, apply to a trial de novo in District Court?

¶21. Stanko contends that he was denied his right to a speedy trial because § 46-13-

401(2), MCA, unequivocally states that anyone charged with a misdemeanor offense 

in Montana's courts must be brought to trial within six months of their first 

appearance. Stanko notes that more than six months elapsed between May 27, 1997, 

when he appealed to the District Court for a trial de novo, and December 29, 1997, 

when his trial was held. 

¶22. Stanko concedes that this Court ruled in State v. Mantz (1994), 269 Mont. 135, 

887 P.2d 251, that § 46-13-401(2), MCA, does not apply to trials de novo on appeal 

from justice court. However, he contends that we should overrule our holding in 

Mantz on the basis that the speedy trial statute does not distinguish between district 

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court de novo trials and justice or city court trials. Furthermore, he argues that 

Mantz is outmoded in light of the 1997 amendment of § 46-17-201, MCA, that 

requires a defendant charged with a misdemeanor to elect one jury trial by right, 

either in the justice or city courts, or to reserve jury trial on a de novo appeal to 

district court.

¶23. Section 46-13-401(2), MCA, provides, in pertinent part:

After the entry of a plea upon a misdemeanor charge, the court, unless good cause to the 

contrary is shown, shall order the prosecution to be dismissed, with prejudice, if a 

defendant whose trial has not been postponed upon the defendant's motion is not brought 

to trial within 6 months. [Emphasis added.]

Under the plain language of this statute, the six-month time period within which the 

defendant must be brought to trial on a misdemeanor charge, runs from the entry of a plea 

upon that charge. In an appeal to district court, the defendant does not enter a plea as the 

matter is treated as an appeal for trial de novo. Stanko would have this Court read into the 

statute a meaning that was clearly not intended by the legislature. That is not the function 

or duty of this Court. See § 1-2-101, MCA. 

¶24. In addition, Stanko's contention that Mantz is outmoded in light of § 46-17-201, 

MCA, which requires a defendant to elect one jury trial, is without merit. Whether 

the disposition in justice court was by a jury trial, a bench trial, or on motion, has no 

effect on whether § 46-13-401(2), MCA, is applicable to trials de novo in district court.

¶25. Therefore, we will continue to follow Mantz and the long line of cases wherein 

we have held that § 46-13-401(2), MCA, applies to the initial trial in justice court and 

does not apply to trials de novo on appeal to the district court. See State v. Romero

(1996), 279 Mont. 58, 926 P.2d 717; State v. Bullock (1995), 272 Mont. 361, 901 P.2d 

61; State v. Sunford (1990), 244 Mont. 411, 796 P.2d 1084; State v. Knox (1984), 207 

Mont. 537, 675 P.2d 950. As we stated in Mantz:

Once an action is appealed from justice to district court, it is treated as if it were a new 

trial. Questions regarding speedy trial in cases concerning new trials are analyzed under 

the constitutional standards of Barker v. Wingo (1972), 407 U.S. 514, 92 S.Ct. 2182, 33 L.

Ed.2d 101.

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Mantz, 269 Mont. at 138, 887 P.2d at 253 (quoting Sunford, 244 Mont. at 416, 796 P.2d at 1087). 

¶26. Stanko failed to make any argument in the District Court or in his brief to this 

Court based on the criteria set forth in Barker. However, since Stanko did raise the 

speedy trial issue, albeit under § 46-13-401(2), MCA; since he claims that his right to 

a speedy trial in District Court was violated by the State's continuance; and because 

a Barker review is necessary to our determination of his District Court speedy trial 

claim, a review under the criteria set forth in Barker is warranted. 

¶27. The Barker test requires that we consider: (1) the length of the delay; (2) the 

reason for the delay; (3) the assertion of the right to a speedy trial by the defendant; 

and (4) the prejudice to the defendant. Barker, 407 U.S. at 530, 92 S.Ct. at 2192. 

Additionally, prejudice to the defendant is analyzed by assessing three interests 

which the right to a speedy trial was designed to protect: (1) the prevention of 

oppressive pretrial incarceration; (2) the minimization of the defendant's anxiety and 

concern; and (3) the avoidance of impairment of the defense. Barker, 407 U.S. at 532, 

92 S.Ct. at 2193. 

¶28. In our recent decision in City of Billings v. Bruce, 1998 MT 186, ___ P.2d ___, 55 

St.Rep. 750, this Court clarified how it will apply the Barker factors to determine 

whether a defendant has been denied his or her right to a speedy trial. We first 

consider the length of the delay from the time the charges are filed or, as in the case 

before us, the date the notice of appeal from justice court was filed, until the 

defendant's trial date. Bruce, ¶ 55. Stanko filed his notice of appeal from justice 

court on May 27, 1997, and his trial was held on December 29, 1997. That is a delay 

of 216 days. We established in Bruce that a delay of 200 days will trigger further 

speedy trial analysis. Bruce, ¶ 55.

¶29. Next, we consider the reason for the delay. Bruce, ¶ 56. In the case before us, the 

State requested a continuance of the September 4, 1997 trial because one of the 

State's witnesses, Officer Kinsey, was in the hospital. Trial was rescheduled for 

December 29, 1997, creating a delay of 116 days. However, on September 2, 1997, the 

same date the State requested a continuance and only two days prior to the originally 

scheduled trial date, Stanko filed several motions with the District Court including a 

Motion to Dismiss for Selective Prosecution and a Motion to Dismiss for Vagueness 

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and for Failure to have Knowledge or Intent. While the court granted the 

continuance based upon the unavailability of one of the State's witnesses, it is not 

unreasonable to assume that the court would also have granted a continuance to 

allow the State to respond to Stanko's several pretrial motions. Thus, we cannot say 

that the delay in this case is attributable solely to the State or solely to Stanko. 

¶30. Nevertheless, we stated in Bruce, that if a delay attributable to the State is less 

than 275 days, the burden remains on the defendant to demonstrate prejudice. 

Bruce, ¶ 56. Hence, in the case sub judice, since the delay was less than 275 days, it is 

immaterial whether we attribute that delay to the State or to Stanko because the 

burden to demonstrate prejudice remains with Stanko.

¶31. Stanko satisfied the third Barker criteria by asserting his right to a speedy trial 

when he filed his pro se "Objection To Ignoring The Defendant's Right(s) To, But 

Not Limited To, Represent Himself; Due Process; and Right to Speedy Trial" on 

September 30, 1997, regarding the Lobdell charge and when his counsel noted during 

the final pre-trial conference on the morning of trial that he also objected on speedy 

trial grounds as to the Kinsey charge. We held in Bruce, that if the right to a speedy 

trial is invoked at any time prior to the commencement of trial, either by demanding 

a speedy trial, or by moving to dismiss for failure to provide a speedy trial, the third 

prong of Barker is satisfied. Bruce, ¶ 57.

¶32. Our consideration of the fourth Barker criteria relating to prejudice includes the 

traditional considerations of pretrial incarceration, anxiety and concern to the 

defendant, and impairment of the defense. Bruce, ¶ 58. As we already noted in our 

consideration of the second Barker criteria, the burden for demonstrating prejudice 

did not shift to the State but remained with Stanko. Stanko has failed to meet this 

burden. He was not incarcerated prior to trial and he has not demonstrated that he 

experienced anxiety or concern or that his defense was impaired in any way by the 

delay.

¶33. Accordingly, we hold that Stanko's right to a speedy trial was not violated.

Issue 2.

¶34. Was Stanko bound by his counsel's consent to a continuance as to one count which 

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was joined for trial with a second count in which Stanko was representing himself?

¶35. Stanko contends that the attorney representing him on the Kinsey charge could 

not bind him to a waiver of his right to a speedy trial on the Lobdell charge in which 

he was representing himself. This argument is without merit. 

¶36. Stanko's counsel consented to the continuance within his authority to act on the 

Kinsey charge. If one count was continued with the consent of the defense, then the 

other count would have to be continued also. The motion to sever the two counts had 

previously been denied on grounds of judicial economy.

¶37. More importantly, Stanko failed to allege that he was prejudiced in any way by 

the continuance. It is disingenuous for Stanko to argue that the trial should have 

been held as originally scheduled when Stanko filed several motions just two days 

prior to the scheduled trial date. The scheduling order specified that pretrial motions 

were to be filed in time to be heard before trial. Stanko did not give the State any 

notice or opportunity to respond to these several motions prior to the first trial 

setting. Even if the State had not requested a continuance due to Officer Kinsey's 

illness, the trial would most likely have been continued to allow the State to respond 

to Stanko's motions.

¶38. Accordingly, we hold that Stanko was bound by his counsel's consent to a 

continuance.

Issue 3.

¶39. Did the District Court err in denying Stanko's motion to dismiss in which he 

argued that no one was injured and excessive speed could not be the sole basis for a 

charge of reckless driving?

¶40. The District Court denied Stanko's Motion to Dismiss for Failure to Establish 

the Necessary Elements in which Stanko contended, with respect to the Lobdell 

charge, that no person or property was harmed by his conduct and that excessive 

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speed could not be the sole factual basis for a charge of reckless driving under § 61-8-

301, MCA. Stanko contends on appeal that the District Court erred in not granting 

his motion.

¶41. The grant or denial of a motion to dismiss in a criminal case is a question of law, 

thus our review is plenary; we will review the district court's conclusion to determine 

whether it is correct. City of Helena v. Danicheck (1996), 277 Mont. 461, 463, 922 P.2d 

1170, 1172 (citing State v. Hansen (1995), 273 Mont. 321, 323, 903 P.2d 194, 195; State 

v. Rushton (1994), 264 Mont. 248, 255, 870 P.2d 1355, 1359). 

¶42. Contrary to Stanko's assertions, Officer Lobdell did not base her citation solely 

on the fact of Stanko's speed. Indeed, the citation itself states: "Reckless Driving! 117 

mph over Crest of Hill on Narrow Road Moderate Traffic." (Emphasis added.) 

Furthermore, Officer Lobdell testified at trial that she cited Stanko for reckless 

driving because he was endangering everyone on the road due to the high speed, the 

narrow road, and the hill crest. She also testified that although traffic in the area was 

moderate on the day she cited Stanko, there was the potential for tourist traffic such 

as campers and boats as well as ranch and farm vehicles and trucks. 

¶43. Stanko's argument that speed alone may not constitute reckless driving is beside 

the point. Neither officer cited Stanko for reckless driving based solely on speed. 

Rather, both officers considered speed plus the other factors referred to above. Other 

jurisdictions have long held that excessive speed under some circumstances may 

constitute willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others. See State v. Lunt (R.I. 

1969), 260 A.2d 149, 152; State v. Pruett (Idaho 1967), 428 P.2d 43; Norfolk v. State

(Wyo. 1961), 360 P.2d 605. We agree with these authorities. While "[t]here may be a 

point at which the speed becomes so excessive, the danger of injury to the passenger 

so probable, that such extreme speed alone might be held to be willful misconduct," 

People v. Nowell (Cal.App.Dept.Super.Ct. 1941), 114 P.2d 81, 83 (quoting Fisher v. 

Zimmerman (Cal.Ct.App. 1937), 73 P.2d 1243, 1246), that is not the fact situation 

here and our decision is not premised on Stanko's speed alone. 

¶44. In addition, and again contrary to Stanko's contentions, § 61-8-301, MCA, does 

not require that there be an actual injury before the conduct may be considered 

reckless.

(1) A person commits the offense of reckless driving if he:

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(a) operates any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or 

property. . . .

Section 61-8-301, MCA (emphasis added). 

¶45. Finally, Stanko imagines himself to be a "champion race-car driver" because he 

won a few stock-car races in Oregon almost twenty years ago. He testified that he 

was consciously driving 117 mph and 121 mph at the times he was cited, but that this 

conduct was not reckless because he is accustomed to driving at high speeds. While 

Stanko's driving abilities may be legend in his own mind, we are not impressed. 

Unfortunately, Stanko fails to realize that racing conditions are far different from 

highway conditions and that Montana highways are not controlled racetracks. While 

Stanko may be willing to risk his own life and property traveling the highways at 

grossly excessive speeds as though he is still on a racetrack, other motorists do not 

assume the risk of driving in racetrack conditions when they travel Montana's 

highways. In point of fact, Montana's highways are used by senior citizens, parents 

hauling small children, farmers and ranchers moving machinery, school buses, 

commercial vehicles, and bicyclists, all of whom typically drive at less than 

"racetrack" speeds. Other motorists, as well, in driving and in overtaking and 

passing vehicles rightfully expect that following and oncoming traffic will be moving 

at a reasonably prudent and safe speed. Few would gauge their driving in 

anticipation that coming over the crest of the next hill will be a car traveling at well 

over 100 mph being driven by one who believes that he is on the Autobahn. 

Moreover, even if Stanko were to only injure or kill himself in a high-speed crash, his 

conduct still would be responsible for putting on the highway and at risk the 

emergency personnel and vehicles that would most surely have to respond. 

Furthermore, any person who drives in this State is aware that wild and domestic 

animals frequently cross Montana's roads and highways. It is common experience 

that trying to avoid wildlife or livestock on a road, without crashing, is difficult 

enough while driving at a reasonable and prudent highway speed; it is nearly 

impossible while driving at speeds well over 100 mph.

¶46. In short, it is clear that, under the conditions at issue here, Stanko 

unquestionably operated his vehicle "in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of 

persons or property." Section 61-8-301, MCA. Accordingly, we hold that the District 

Court was correct in denying Stanko's Motion to Dismiss for Failure to Establish the 

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Necessary Elements of the reckless driving offenses with which he was charged.

Issue 4.

¶47. Did the District Court err in denying Stanko's Motion to Dismiss for Selective 

Prosecution?

¶48. Stanko contended that he was selectively prosecuted for reckless driving on 

what should have been a speeding charge, on the basis of his beliefs and political 

views. In his Motion and Brief for Discovery, Stanko requested that the State turn 

over to him all records of referrals to the Fergus County Attorney's Office and 

arrests by police officers relating to cases involving § 61-8-301, MCA. The State 

responded that all such information is a matter of public record and may be 

reviewed at the office of the Clerk of the Justice Court during regular hours of 

operation.

¶49. The District Court denied Stanko's discovery request along with his Motion to 

Dismiss for Selective Prosecution. As we stated in our discussion in the previous 

issue, our review of a district court's grant or denial of a motion to dismiss is plenary. 

Danicheck, 277 Mont. at 463, 922 P.2d at 1172 (citations omitted).

¶50. Both officers testified that they did not know who was driving the speeding 

vehicles when they pulled them over, thus the citation could not have been based on 

Stanko's beliefs and political views. They also testified that they would have issued a 

similar citation to any individual that they encountered traveling at those speeds, on 

that road and under those conditions. 

¶51. Furthermore, the selective enforcement of a criminal law, without more, does 

not constitute a constitutional violation. State v. Maldonado (1978), 176 Mont. 322, 

328-29, 578 P.2d 296, 300. 

"[T]he conscious exercise of some selectivity in enforcement is not in itself a federal 

constitutional violation" absent an allegation and showing that "the selection was 

deliberately based upon an unjustifiable standard such as race, religion, or other arbitrary 

classification" such as sex, or the exercise of the First Amendment right to free speech.

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Maldonado, 176 Mont. at 329, 578 P.2d at 300 (citing Oyler v. Boles (1962), 368 U.S. 448, 456, 82 S.Ct. 501, 

506, 7 L.Ed.2d 446). See also State v. Pease (1987), 227 Mont. 424, 428, 740 P.2d 659, 661.

¶52. Stanko has failed to show that his selection was based upon an unjustifiable 

standard such as race, religion, or other arbitrary classification such as sex, or the 

exercise of the First Amendment right to free speech. Therefore, we hold that the 

District Court was correct in denying Stanko's Motion to Dismiss for Selective 

Prosecution.

Issue 5.

¶53. Is § 61-8-301, MCA, prohibiting reckless driving, unconstitutionally vague as 

applied to the facts in this case?

¶54. All statutes carry with them a presumption of constitutionality and it is the duty 

of the courts to, if possible, construe statutes narrowly to avoid an unconstitutional 

interpretation. State v. Nye (1997), 283 Mont. 505, 510, 943 P.2d 96, 99; State v. 

Lilburn (1994), 265 Mont. 258, 266, 875 P.2d 1036, 1041 cert denied (1995), 513 U.S. 

1078, 115 S.Ct. 726, 130 L.Ed.2d 630; Montana Auto. Ass'n v. Greely (1981), 193 

Mont. 378, 382, 632 P.2d 300, 303; State v. Ytterdahl (1986), 222 Mont. 258, 261, 721 

P.2d 757, 759. Furthermore, when construing a statute, it must be read as a whole, 

and its terms should not be isolated from the context in which they were used by the 

legislature. Nye, 283 Mont. at 510, 943 P.2d at 99; Lilburn, 265 Mont. at 266, 875 P.2d 

at 1041; McClanathan v. Smith (1980), 186 Mont. 56, 61-62, 606 P.2d 507, 510. 

Statutes should be construed according to the plain meaning of the language used 

therein. Nye, 283 Mont. at 510, 943 P.2d at 99; Lilburn, 265 Mont. at 266, 875 P.2d at 

1041; Norfolk Holdings v. Dept. of Revenue (1991), 249 Mont. 40, 43, 813 P.2d 460, 

461.

¶55. When the constitutionality of a statute is challenged, the party making the 

challenge bears the burden of proving, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the statute is 

unconstitutional and any doubt is to be resolved in favor of the statute. Nye, 283 

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Mont. at 510, 943 P.2d at 99; State v. Martel (1995), 273 Mont. 143, 148, 902 P.2d 14, 

17-18; Monroe v. State (1994), 265 Mont. 1, 3, 873 P.2d 230, 231; GBN, Inc. v. 

Montana Dept. of Revenue (1991), 249 Mont. 261, 265, 815 P.2d 595, 597.

¶56. A vagueness challenge to a statute or ordinance may be raised in two different 

connotations: (1) whether the statute or ordinance is so vague that it is rendered void 

on its face; or (2) whether it is vague as applied in a particular situation. Nye, 283 

Mont. at 513, 943 P.2d at 101 (citing Martel, 273 Mont. at 149, 902 P.2d at 18; City of 

Choteau v. Joslyn (1984), 208 Mont. 499, 505, 678 P.2d 665, 668).

¶57. Stanko argues that § 61-8-301, MCA, is vague as applied to the facts in this case. 

He does not raise a facial vagueness challenge. Stanko raised the vagueness issue in 

his pro se Motion to Dismiss for Vagueness and for Failure to Have Knowledge or 

Intent regarding the Lobdell charge. The issue of vagueness was not preserved by 

Stanko's counsel regarding the Kinsey charge, thus, this issue is improperly raised as 

to that charge on appeal. 

¶58. A statute challenged for vagueness as applied to a particular defendant must be 

examined in light of the conduct with which the defendant is charged in order to 

determine whether the defendant could reasonably understand that his conduct is 

proscribed. United States v. Mazurie (1975), 419 U.S. 544, 550, 95 S.Ct. 710, 714, 42 L.

Ed.2d 706; United States v. National Dairy Prod. Corp. (1963), 372 U.S. 29, 32-33, 83 S.

Ct. 594, 598, 9 L.Ed.2d 561. On appellate review, the facts must be taken in the light 

most favorable to the State. State v. Crisp (1991), 249 Mont. 199, 204, 814 P.2d 981, 

984; City of Whitefish v. O'Shaughnessy (1985), 216 Mont. 433, 437, 704 P.2d 1021, 

1024.

¶59. It is well settled that a statute must be specific enough to give fair notice of the 

conduct prohibited and to provide a meaningful differentiation between culpable and 

innocent conduct. State v. Conrad (1982), 197 Mont. 406, 412, 643 P.2d 239, 242-43; 

State v. Bush (1981), 195 Mont. 475, 478-79, 636 P.2d 849, 851. However, "statutes 

are not automatically invalidated as vague simply because difficulty is found in 

determining whether certain marginal offenses fall within their language." Monroe, 

265 Mont. at 3, 873 P.2d at 231 (quoting National Dairy, 372 U.S. at 32, 83 S.Ct. at 

597).

¶60. Stanko argues that § 61-8-301, MCA, promotes discriminatory enforcement. As 

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an example, he asserts that Officer Lobdell and Officer Kinsey disagreed as to the 

speed at which they would charge someone with reckless driving as opposed to a 

basic rule violation. That is not the case. Officer Lobdell testified that speeds in 

excess of 110 mph would warrant a citation for reckless driving and Officer Kinsey 

testified that speeds nearing 120 mph would be unreasonable.

¶61. Stanko has not met his burden of proving, beyond a reasonable doubt, that § 61-

8-301, MCA, is so vague, as applied to the facts involving the Lobdell charge, that he 

could not have reasonably understood that his conduct would be prohibited. 

Accordingly, we hold that § 61-8-301, MCA, is not unconstitutionally vague as 

applied to the facts in this case.

Issue 6.

¶62. Did the District Court err in denying Stanko's proposed jury instruction defining 

wanton and willful conduct?

¶63. At the close of all of the evidence, both parties submitted jury instructions. The 

District Court refused Stanko's proposed instruction on the definition of wantonness 

and willfulness and gave the State's proposed instruction instead. Stanko contends 

that the court erred in refusing to give his proposed instruction. 

¶64. We review the jury instructions given in a criminal case to determine whether 

the instructions, as a whole, fully and fairly instruct the jury on the law applicable to 

the case. State v. Weaver, 1998 MT 167, ¶ 28, ___ P.2d ___, ¶ 28, 55 St.Rep. 668, ¶ 28 

(citing State v. Patton (1996), 280 Mont. 278, 286, 930 P.2d 635, 639; State v. Brandon

(1994), 264 Mont. 231, 237, 870 P.2d 734, 737; State v. Lundblade (1981), 191 Mont. 

526, 529-30, 625 P.2d 545, 548. Moreover, we recognize that a district court has 

broad discretion when it instructs a jury. Weaver, ¶ 28 (citing Patton, 280 Mont. at 

286, 930 P.2d at 639; State v. Ross (1995), 269 Mont. 347, 358, 889 P.2d 161, 167). 

¶65. The jury instruction as proposed by Stanko and his counsel stated:

"Willful or Wanton Disregard" means that the defendant had an intentional lack of regard 

concerning the safety of others, or that he intentionally did something with knowledge that 

serious injury is a probable result.

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The District Court correctly rejected this instruction on the basis that it contained an 

element--i.e., serious injury--that is not required by § 61-8-301, MCA. Instead, the District 

Court gave the State's proposed jury instruction which stated:

You are instructed that "willful" or willfulness implies an act done intentionally and 

designedly. "Wanton" or wantonness implies action without regard to the rights of others, 

a conscious failure to observe care, a conscious invasion of the rights of others, willful, 

unrestrained action.

¶66. After reviewing all of the jury instructions given in this case, we conclude that 

they do fully and fairly instruct the jury on the law applicable to the case. 

Accordingly, we hold that the District Court did not abuse its discretion when it 

instructed the jury. 

¶67. Affirmed.

/S/ JAMES C. NELSON

We Concur:

/S/ J. A. TURNAGE

/S/ W. WILLIAM LEAPHART

/S/ KARLA M. GRAY

/S/ JIM REGNIER 

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Justice Terry N. Trieweiler specially concurring.

¶68. I agree with the result of the majority opinion. I do not agree with all that is 

stated in that opinion. 

¶69. Specifically, I disagree with the majority's statement in ¶43 of the opinion that 

"we agree" that speed alone can serve as the basis for a reckless driving conviction. 

Without consideration of the surrounding circumstances, speed alone can never 

establish a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others. If so, then what is the 

speed which under any circumstance would be deemed reckless? Motorists are 

entitled to know!

¶70. Is the speed at which the operation of a motor vehicle becomes reckless the same 

on Interstate 90 as on Highway 93 from Missoula to Polson? Is a reckless speed the 

same in a 1998 Porsche Carrera as in a 1981 Dodge Aries? Is it the same in bad 

weather as in good weather? Is it the same at nighttime as it is during daylight hours?

¶71. Obviously the answer to all the preceding questions is no, because speed without 

regard to other surrounding circumstances is meaningless.

¶72. I particularly object to inclusion of this advisory statement in the majority 

opinion since it is totally unnecessary to the opinion. Just before the advice is offered, 

the opinion correctly points out that: "Stanko's argument that speed alone may not 

constitute reckless driving is beside the point. Neither officer cited Stanko for 

reckless driving based solely on speed. Rather, both officers considered speed plus 

the other factors referred to above."

¶73. It is the portion of the opinion quoted in the preceding paragraph with which I 

agree. It is also the quoted portion of the opinion which makes the majority's 

speculative advice regarding "speed alone" both unnecessary and inappropriate.

¶74. If speed alone was the issue in this case, I would have concluded that it could not 

serve as the basis for a reckless driving charge unless the motorist charged had been 

given prior notice by the State of the speed at which his conduct violated the law. 

However, because speed alone is not the issue, neither is that advice necessary.

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¶75. For these reasons, I specially concur with the result of the majority opinion.

/S/ TERRY N. TRIEWEILER

Justice William E. Hunt, Sr., joins in the foregoing specially concurring opinion.

/S/ WILLIAM E. HUNT, SR.

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