Opinion ID: 1782151
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Number of Prior Convictions

Text: The trial court ordered a bifurcated trial. The jury first heard evidence to determine whether the appellant was driving while intoxicated on the occasion alleged. After the jury returned a guilty verdict, the judge heard evidence in chambers to determine the number of prior convictions, and then he instructed the jury that the range of sentences should be based on three prior convictions. The trial court based this procedure on Ark.Stat.Ann. § 41-1005 (Supp. 1983), as the Omnibus DWI Act of 1983 does not provide the procedure for bifurcation. Section 41-1005 provides that the jury will first hear evidence as to the guilt or innocence of the defendant. If the jury finds the defendant guilty, the trial court will hear evidence of the defendant's previous convictions and determine the number of prior convictions. The trial court will then instruct the jury as to the number of previous convictions. The jury will retire again to determine a sentence. Section 41-1005 is inapplicable to the Omnibus DWI Act because it applies only to the determination of habitual offender status pursuant to Ark.Stat.Ann. § 41-1001 (Supp.1983). That statute provides extended terms of imprisonment for those who have committed more than one but less than four felonies. Appellant has three previous convictions, but they are all misdemeanors under the DWI Act. Under the sentencing enhancement statutes followed by the judge, the previously committed felonies do not constitute an element of the offense charged. Appellant contends that the existence of three prior convictions constitutes an element of DWI, fourth offense, and thus the trial court deprived him of his right to have the jury determine a material element of the offense charged. We agree. The fact of three prior convictions is an element of the felony DWI fourth offense as defined by Ark.Stat.Ann. § 75-2504(b)(3) (Supp.1983). In State v. Brown, 283 Ark. 304, 675 S.W.2d 822 (1984), we allowed the state to amend an information to charge DWI, first offense, instead of DWI, fourth offense. We said the state could amend to conform to the proof when the amendment does not change the nature or degree of the offense. In that case the amendment was obviously not prejudicial to the accused. We would not have permitted an amendment of an information alleging DWI, first offense, to one alleging DWI, fourth offense, because the additional element of three previous convictions, making the offense charged a felony, would constitute a matter on which the accused would be required to prepare for trial. While the felony sentencing enhancement statutes do not apply, we agree the trial should be bifurcated. The jury must first hear evidence of guilt or innocence. If the defendant is found guilty of the instance of DWI alleged, the jury will then hear evidence of previous convictions. The trial judge will still determine whether the accused was represented by, or entered a valid waiver of, counsel in the previous convictions alleged and will exclude evidence of any conviction not meeting the counsel requirement. This procedure protects the defendant from prejudice by preventing the jury from considering the three prior convictions during their initial determination of guilt or innocence. Heard v. State, 272 Ark. 140, 612 S.W.2d 312 (1981). Reversed. DUDLEY and GEORGE ROSE SMITH, JJ., not participating.