Source: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2000/acts/act160.htm
Timestamp: 2017-12-13 22:38:17
Document Index: 508758053

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 656', '§ 2222', '§ 676', '§ 801', '§ 1201', '§ 1202', '§ 1203', '§ 1205', '§ 1206', '§ 1209', '§ 1210', '§ 2302', '§ 1102', '§ 678', '§ 1218', '§ 4116', '§ 1936', '§ 1977', '§ 2201']

NO. 160. AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PROCEDURES INVOLVING ALCOHOL AND MOTOR VEHICLE VIOLATIONS.
(i) The requirements of subdivisions (c)(1), (2), (3), and (4) of this section shall not apply to mandatory conditions imposed by the diversion board following an adjudication of a civil violation pursuant to section 656 of Title 7. Subdivision (c)(5) of this section shall not restrict the diversion board from notifying the commissioner of motor vehicles that a person has failed to timely complete imposed conditions. The diversion board may disclose all relevant information about a person in an administrative or judicial proceeding related to whether a suspension is proper.
(8) Automobile forfeiture and immobilization proceedings under chapters 9 and 13 of Title 23.
(d) Three hearing officers appointed by the court administrator shall determine waiver penalties to be imposed for violations within the judicial bureaus jurisdiction, except that municipalities shall adopt full and waiver penalties for civil ordinance violations pursuant to section 1979 of Title 24. For purposes of municipal violations, the issuing law enforcement officer shall indicate the appropriate full and waiver penalty on the complaint.
§ 656. MINORS MISREPRESENTING AGE, PROCURING, POSSESSING, OR CONSUMING LIQUORS; FIRST OFFENSE; CIVIL VIOLATION
(a) A minor 16 years of age or older shall not:
(1) falsely represent his or her age for the purpose of procuring or attempting to procure malt or vinous beverages or spirituous liquor from any licensee, state liquor agency, or other person or persons;
(c) A person who violates this section commits a civil violation and shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $300.00, and shall complete the teen alcohol safety program pursuant to subsection (f) of this section. The state may obtain a violation under this section or a conviction under section 657 of this title, but not both.
(d) If a person fails to pay a penalty imposed under this section by the time ordered, the judicial bureau shall notify the commissioner of motor vehicles, who shall suspend the persons operators license and privilege to operate a motor vehicle until payment is made.
(e) Upon adjudicating a person in violation of this section, the judicial bureau shall notify the commissioner of motor vehicles, who shall maintain a record of all such adjudications which shall be separate from the registry maintained by the department for motor vehicle driving records. The identities of persons in the registry shall only be revealed to a law enforcement officer determining whether the person has previously violated this section.
(f) Upon adjudicating a person in violation of this section, the judicial bureau shall notify the teen alcohol safety program of the diversion board in the county where the violation occurred. Pursuant to the teen alcohol safety program, the diversion board shall impose appropriate conditions on the person, which shall include a condition requiring satisfactory completion of alcohol screening and, if deemed necessary, alcohol counseling and therapy. The diversion board may also impose conditions requiring the person to complete community service projects and educational programs related to alcohol. The person shall complete all conditions at his or her own expense. The diversion board shall allow a person at least 60 days to complete required conditions. If a person does not satisfactorily complete alcohol screening by a licensed professional and, if deemed necessary, alcohol counseling and therapy, the diversion board shall notify the commissioner of motor vehicles, who shall suspend the persons operators license and privilege to operate a motor vehicle for a period of up to 90 days, or until notice of compliance is received from the diversion board, whichever occurs first. If a person does not timely complete other required conditions of diversion, the diversion board shall notify the commissioner of motor vehicles, who shall suspend the persons operators license and privilege to operate a motor vehicle for 30 days. A person aggrieved by a decision of the diversion board or alcohol counselor may seek review of that decision pursuant to Rule 75 of the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure.
(g) The states attorney may dismiss without prejudice a violation brought under this section.
(1) falsely represent his or her age for the purpose of procuring *[or who procures]* or attempting to procure malt or vinous beverages or spirituous liquor from any licensee, state liquor agency, or other person or persons; or *[who possesses]*
(c) After the issuing officer issues a summons and complaint to the judicial bureau for a first offense pursuant to section 656 of this title, the states attorney may withdraw the complaint filed with the judicial bureau and file an information charging a violation of this section in district court. The state may obtain a conviction under either this section or section 656 of this title, but not both.
(d) A person who violates this section:
(1) shall be fined not more than *[$500.00]* $600.00 or imprisoned not more than *[thirty]* 30 days, or both; and
(2) if the person has previously been convicted of violating this section or adjudicated in violation of section 656 of this title, the persons operating license, nonresident operating privilege or the privilege of an unlicensed person to operate a motor vehicle shall be suspended for 120 days.
*[(b)]*(e) The state's attorney *[may]* shall require as a condition of diversion that:
(1) a person who is charged with a violation of this section who holds a license to operate a motor vehicle *[shall voluntarily]*, and who has previously been convicted of violating this section or adjudicated in violation of section 656 of this title, relinquish the license for a period of 60 days; and
(2) attend an alcohol and driving program at the person's own expense.
*[(c)]*(f) A person who is convicted of violating this section who holds a license to operate a motor vehicle shall, as a condition of probation, be required to complete an alcohol and driving program at the person's own expense. *[(d)]*(g) The alcohol and driving program shall be administered by the office of alcohol and drug abuse programs and shall take into consideration the needs of minors.
(h) The states attorney may dismiss without prejudice an action brought under this section, and may file a civil violation in the judicial bureau.
Sec 12. 20 V.S.A. § 2222 is added to read:
(2) has satisfactorily completed a course of study in Vermont laws and criminal procedures approved by the Vermont criminal justice training council, at the expense of the officers agency;
(4) has taken an oath administered by the commissioner of the department of public safety or by the commissioners designee to uphold the constitution of the state of Vermont.
(b) The executive director of the criminal justice training council shall certify a federal law enforcement officer who applies for certification if the officer satisfies the employment and study requirements listed in subsection (a) of this section. A certification under this subsection shall automatically terminate immediately upon the officers suspension or termination of employment from the federal agency in which he or she was employed at the time the certification occurred.
(f) This section is not intended to limit existing authority of federal officers under federal law or to interfere with the performance of federal duties by federal officers.
Sec. 13. 23 V.S.A. § 676 is amended to read:
(c) For purposes of establishing the states case-in-chief against a person accused of violating this section, the judicial bureau shall accept as evidence an affidavit from an employee of the agency of transportation stating that the persons operators license or privilege to operate was suspended or revoked on the date of the offense, and the reason or reasons for the suspension or revocation. The admitted affidavit shall establish a permissive inference that the person was under suspension or had his or her license revoked on the dates and time periods set forth in the affidavit. The judicial bureau shall not require a certified copy of the persons motor vehicle record from the department of motor vehicles to establish the permissive inference.
Sec. 14. 23 V.S.A. § 801 is amended to read:
(G) Any moving violation as defined in section 4 of this title if the person has five points assessed against the persons license at the time the moving violation occurs. At the time a ticket or a citation for a moving violation is issued, the law enforcement officer shall give the defendant an insurance verification certificate, which shall not be an SR-22 certificate. The defendant shall complete the certificate and mail or deliver it to the commissioner within 21 days of being issued the ticket or citation. The commissioner shall prescribe the form of the insurance verification certificate and administer the insurance verification process by promulgating rules and may, pursuant to chapter 25 of Title 3, promulgate rules to administer the insurance verification process.
(H) The provisions of subdivisions (a)(1)(A), and (C) through (a)(1)(E) and (G) of this section shall not apply to an operator furnishing the commissioner with satisfactory proof that a standard provisions automobile liability insurance policy, issued by an insurance company authorized to transact business in this state insuring the operator against public liability and property damage, in the amounts required under this section with respect to proof of financial responsibility, was in effect at the time of the violation. Nor shall these provisions apply if the operator was a nonresident, holding a valid license issued by the state of his or her residence, at the time of the violation, and satisfactory proof, in the form of a certificate issued by an insurance company authorized to transact business in the state of his or her residence, and accompanied by a power of attorney authorizing the commissioner to accept service on its behalf, of notice or process in any action arising out of the violation, certifying that insurance covering the legal liability of the operator to satisfy any claim or claims for damage to person or property, in an amount equal to the amounts required under this section with respect to proof of financial responsibility was in effect at the time of the violation.
Sec. 15. 23 V.S.A. § 1201(f) is added to read:
(f) For purposes of this section, if the state has established a prima facie case with respect to the element of operation, the defendant may assert as an affirmative defense, to be proven by clear and convincing evidence, that the person was not in actual physical control of the vehicle because the person:
Sec. 16. 23 V.S.A. § 1202(a)(2) is amended to read:
Sec. 17. 23 V.S.A. § 1203 is amended to read:
(k) A copy of a videotape made of the alleged offense shall be provided to the defendant within ten days after the defendant requests the copy and pays a $15.00 fee for its reproduction. No fee shall be charged to a defendant whom the court has determined to be indigent.
Sec. 18. 23 V.S.A. § 1205 is amended to read:
(u) In any proceeding under this section, for cause shown, a partys chemist may be allowed to testify by telephone in lieu of a personal appearance.
Sec. 19. 23 V.S.A. § 1206 is amended to read:
(c) Upon conviction of a person for violating a provision of subsection 1201(b) or (c) of this title, or upon final determination of an appeal, the court shall forward the conviction report forthwith to the commissioner of motor vehicles. The commissioner shall immediately suspend the persons operating license or nonresident operating privilege or the privilege of an unlicensed operator to operate a vehicle for a period of six months, and until the defendant complies with section 1209a of this title.
Sec. 20. 23 V.S.A. § 1209a(b) and (c) are amended to read:
Sec. 21. 23 V.S.A. § 1210(c) and (d) are amended to read:
(c) Second offense. A person convicted of violating section 1201 of this title who has been convicted of another violation of that section shall be fined not more than $1,500.00 or imprisoned not more than two years, or both. *[At least 48 consecutive hours of the sentence of imprisonment must be served and may not be suspended or deferred or served as a supervised community sentence.]* At least 200 hours of community service shall be performed, or 60 consecutive hours of the sentence of imprisonment shall be served and may not be suspended or deferred or served as a supervised sentence, except that credit for a sentence of imprisonment may be received for time served in a residential alcohol facility pursuant to sentence if the program is successfully completed.
(d) Third or subsequent offense. A person convicted of violating section 1201 of this title who has twice been convicted of violation of that section shall be fined not more than $2,500.00 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. At least 400 hours of community service shall be performed, or 100 consecutive hours of the sentence of imprisonment shall be served and may not be suspended or deferred or served as a supervised sentence, except that credit for a sentence of imprisonment may be received for time served in a residential alcohol facility pursuant to sentence if the program is successfully completed.
Sec. 22. 23 V.S.A. § 2302 is amended to read:
(3) *[any traffic violation]* a violation of this title with a scheduled penalty of not more than $1,000.00 established pursuant to *[subsection (d) of this section]* 4 V.S.A. § 1102(d) and for which no term of imprisonment is provided by law;
Sec. 24. 23 V.S.A. § 678 is added to read:
Sec. 25. 23 V.S.A. § 1218 is amended to read:
Sec. 26. 23 V.S.A. § 4116a is added to read:
(a) A persons privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle in the state of Vermont shall be suspended for one year, if:
(2) the persons commercial driver license is issued by a state or country that does not have a reciprocity agreement with the state of Vermont for the disqualification of commercial driver licenses under section 4115 of this title.
(b) A persons privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle in the state of Vermont shall be suspended for three years if the person is convicted of violating subsection (a) of this section, and the violation occurred while the person was transporting a hazardous material required to be placarded.
(c) A persons privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle in the state of Vermont shall be suspended for life if the person is convicted a second time of violating subsection (a) of this section, and both convictions arise out of separate occurrences.
(d) A persons privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle in the state of Vermont shall be suspended for 60 days if the person is convicted of two serious traffic violations, or for 120 days if the person is convicted of three serious traffic violations, arising from separate incidents occurring within a three-year period.
(e) A persons privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle in the state of Vermont shall be suspended for life if the person uses a commercial motor vehicle in the commission of any offense under state or federal law that is punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, involving the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of a regulated drug, or possession with intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense a regulated drug, and for which the person was convicted.
Sec. 27. 24 V.S.A. § 1936a is amended to read:
(d) A municipal legislative body may vote to allow a constable elected or appointed in another municipality to exercise law enforcement authority in its municipality, provided that:
(1) the constable is not prohibited from exercising law enforcement authority under subsection (a) of this section;
(2) the constable has completed the training requirements for a full-time or part-time law enforcement officer under section 2358 of Title 20; and
(3) the exercise of law enforcement authority is conducted in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the legislative body establishing the circumstances under which the authority may be exercised.
Sec. 28. 24 V.S.A. § 1977 is amended to read:
(c) The court administrator shall approve an appropriate summons and complaint form, pursuant to subsection 1105(a) of Title 4, to implement the assessment of the full and waiver penalty provisions of this section.
Sec. 29. 24 V.S.A. § 2201 is amended to read:
Sec. 30. Rule 43 of the Vermont Rules of Criminal Procedure is revised to read:
(2) In prosecutions for misdemeanors, the defendant, with the consent of the court, may waive appearance under Rule 5 in writing and the court, with the written consent of the defendant and the states attorney, may permit arraignment, *[plea]* pleas of guilty, nolo contendere or not guilty, trial, and imposition of sentence in the defendants absence. Before a plea of not guilty may be filed and accepted by the court, the states attorney and the defendant shall agree upon bail and conditions of release, which shall be signed by the defendant and his or her attorney, and filed with the court simultaneously with the plea of not guilty.
Sec. 31. Rule 80.5(e) of the District Court Civil Rules is revised to read:
At the preliminary hearing the State and the defendant shall each make available for inspection all nonprivileged information and written statements in their possession and control concerning the evidentiary test or tests, relation back, or other matters to be contested at the hearing on the merits, including without limitation the police report, expert witnesses reports, processing forms, affidavit, breath test results, police notes and the names and addresses of witnesses, except that evidence the defendant does not intend to use at the hearing need not be disclosed by the defendant. A copy of a videotape made of the alleged offense and subsequent processing shall be available for purchase by the defendant directly from the law enforcement agency responsible for initiating the action upon written request and advance payment of a $15.00 fee, except that no fee shall be charged to a defendant whom the court has determined to be indigent. The fees collected for videotapes sold under this rule shall be allocated in the manner prescribed by Rule 16 of the Vermont Rules of Criminal Procedure. Discoverable evidence not known at the time of the preliminary hearing shall be disclosed to the party immediately when it becomes known. Failure to provide discovery in accordance with this paragraph may be subject to appropriate sanctions in the discretion of the court, which may include preclusion of any witness or evidence not timely disclosed.
A defendant to whom notice of suspension has been delivered or mailed shall appear by counsel or pro se a the preliminary hearing unless, prior to the hearing, the district court in the exercise of its discretion grants a request for waiver of the preliminary hearing. The request for waiver may be granted only if supported by affidavit establishing hardship and setting forth a telephone number at which the person may be contacted during business hours to be informed of the courts ruling.
Sec. 32. Rule No. 16 of the Vermont Rules of Criminal Procedure is revised to read:
(e) Videotapes. A copy of a videotape made of the alleged offense and subsequent processing shall be available for purchase by the defendant directly from the law enforcement agency responsible for initiating the action upon written request and advance payment of a $15.00 fee, except that no fee shall be charged to a defendant whom the court has determined to be indigent. A municipal or county law enforcement agency shall be entitled to all fees it collects for videotapes sold pursuant to this rule. Fees collected by the state for videotapes sold pursuant to this rule shall be deposited in the DUI enforcement special fund created under section 1220a of Title 23. The original videotape may be erased 90 days after:
(a) The commissioner of the Department of Health shall promptly address the need for expert witness testimony and affidavits in civil and criminal actions for driving under the influence of alcohol. In developing methods of addressing this need, the commissioner shall consider training and assigning additional chemists and nonchemist employees to work with the DataMaster Program and to provide testimony. The commissioner shall be mindful of Rule 702 of the Vermont Rules of Evidence, which authorizes opinion testimony by a person who possesses knowledge, skill, experience, training or education. By September 1, 2000 and by January 15, 2001, the commissioner shall report the progress which has been made implementing this section to the chairs of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees.
(b) The coordinator of alcohol traffic safety programs shall, in the annual report required by Act No. 117 of 1998, report to the General Assembly and the Governor on the use of cruiser-mounted police package video cameras. The report shall:
(1) include but not be limited to the incidence of use and nonuse, effectiveness, training and limitations inherent in cruiser-mounted police package video cameras;
(2) discuss any recommendations to enhance the effectiveness and use of the cameras; and
(3) include copies of the then current policies and procedures adopted by the commissioner of the department of public safety regarding the use of the cameras.