Opinion ID: 1630410
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Failure to properly define the crime for which Rigby was charged.

Text: ¶ 16. Rigby asserts that because the indictment charged him with DUI Refusal and DUI Refused Test, and because these are not existing criminal charges, the indictment failed to properly define the crime for which he was charged. Rigby's motions concerning errors in the indictment were denied by the trial court. ¶ 17. The indictment presented to the circuit court never charged Rigby with the above quoted language. Instead, the indictment stated, in relevant part that, Jeffrey Rigby in said County and State, on or about the 11th day of April, A.D., 1999, did then and there wilfully, unlawfully, feloniously, and knowingly operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, having refused to submit to a chemical test of his breath, as provided for in Mississippi Code Annotated Section 63-11-30(3) Further, that this Defendant has been convicted of at least 2 DUI'S making this the 3rd or subsequent offense, within five (5) years of the above date. And all prior DUI convictions being a violation of section 63-11-30 MCA ... (emphasis in second paragraph deleted). ¶ 18. The indictment clearly charged Rigby with the offense of DUI. Although Rigby's refusal is mentioned in the indictment, the charge is not termed as DUI Refusal or DUI Refused Test. Refusal of a DUI test is not a criminal offense, and there can be no arrest for this refusal. Sheppard v. Miss. State Highway Patrol, 693 So.2d 1326, 1329 (Miss.1997) (citing Miss.Code Ann. §§ 63-11-21, 23, & 30). We find no merit to this sub-issue, and we affirm the trial court.