Case Name: The State of New Hampshire v. Patrick Fleming
Court: New Hampshire Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
Decision Date: 1979-04-13
Citations: 119 N.H. 245
Docket Number: No. 78-245
Parties: The State of New Hampshire v. Patrick Fleming
Judges: 
Reporter: New Hampshire Reports
Volume: 119
Pages: 245–246

Head Matter:
Merrimack District Court
No. 78-245
The State of New Hampshire v. Patrick Fleming
April 13, 1979
Thomas D. Rath, attorney general (Peter W. Mosseau orally), for the State.
Wiggin & Nourie, of Manchester (Stephen J. Patterson orally), for the defendant.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
Defendant was charged with driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor, second offense, in violation of RSA 262-A:62. He moved to dismiss on the ground of prejudice because the complaint, as required by the statute, included the prior conviction as an element of the offense.
The questions raised by defendant's motion were transferred in advance of trial without ruling by Michael, S.J. This issue should not have been transferred in advance of trial. State v. Doyle, 117 N.H. 789, 378 A.2d 1379 (1977). Evidence of a prior offense may be admissible when introduced as "an element in the crime," State v. Labranche, 118 N.H. 176, 178, 385 A.2d 108, 109 (1978); see Spencer v. Texas, 385 U.S. 554 (1967). No prejudice will result to the defendant in a trial before the district court without a jury. State v. Aubert, 118 N.H. 739, 393 A.2d 567 (1978). If defendant is convicted and appeals to the superior court, he may there take steps, such as stipulations, to guard against any alleged prejudice that may result from the jury's being informed of the prior offense. See generally ABA STANDARDS FOR TRIAL BY JURY § 4.4 (Approved Draft, 1968); cf. Novosel v. Helgemoe, 118 N.H. 115, 384 A.2d 124 (1978) (trial bifurcation); State v. Barker, 117 N.H. 543, 374 A.2d 1179 (1977) (limiting instruction regarding evidence of prior offense).
Remanded for trial.