Case Name: STATE of Louisiana v. Roderick J. BATISTE
Court: Louisiana Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1992-11-12
Citations: 609 So. 2d 856
Docket Number: Nos. 92-KA-503, 92-KA-553
Parties: STATE of Louisiana v. Roderick J. BATISTE.
Judges: Before BOWES, GAUDIN and DUFRESNE, JJ.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 609
Pages: 856–856

Head Matter:
STATE of Louisiana v. Roderick J. BATISTE.
Nos. 92-KA-503, 92-KA-553.
Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Fifth Circuit.
Nov. 12, 1992.
Richard M. Millet, Laplace, for defendant-appellant.
John M. Crum, Jr., Dist. Atty., Carol Runnels Welch, Asst. Dist. Atty., Edgard, for plaintiff-appellee.
Before BOWES, GAUDIN and DUFRESNE, JJ.

Opinion:
GAUDIN, Judge.
Roderick J. Batiste was charged with driving while intoxicated, LSA-R.S. 14:98, and with operating a vehicle without a driver's license, LSA-R.S. 32:52. Following a bench trial in the 40th Judicial District Court, Batiste was convicted of reckless operation of a motor vehicle and driving without a license.
On appeal, Batiste does not contest the conviction for driving without a license. He does, however, challenge his conviction for reckless operation of a motor vehicle, contending that ROMV is not a lesser included crime under R.S. 14:98 and is neither related to nor responsive to DWI. Further, Batiste points out that he was not charged with reckless operation, LSA-R.S. 14:99.
We agree with Batiste's contentions and reverse his ROMV conviction. See State v. Redfearn, 504 So.2d 1005 (La.App. 1 Cir.1987), in which the court presented clear and persuasive reasons why ROMV is not a lesser and included grade of driving while intoxicated. We are unaware of any jurisprudence or statute to the contrary.
REVERSED.