Document: 489 U.S. 538 109 S.Ct. 1289 103 L.Ed.2d 550 Melvin R. BLANTON and Mark D. Fraley, Petitionersv.CITY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS, NEVADA. No. 87-1437. Argued Jan. 9, 1989. Decided March 6, Syllabus Under Nevada law, a first-time offender convicted of driving under the influence alcohol (DUI) faces up to six months incarceration or, in alternative, 48 hours community work while identifiably dressed as DUI offender. In addition, must pay fine $1,000, attend an abuse education course, lose his license for 90 days. Penalties increase repeat offenders. Petitioners, offenders, were charged with separate incidents. The Municipal Court denied each petitioner's demand jury trial. On appeal, Judicial District again petitioner Blanton's request but granted Fraley's. Supreme remanded both cases, concluding that Federal Constitution does not guarantee right trial offense. Held: There is no Sixth Amendment by persons law DUI. This has long held petty crimes or offenses are subject provision. most relevant criterion determining seriousness offense severity maximum authorized penalty fixed legislature. this approach, when carries prison term less, it presumed be unless defendant can show any additional statutory penalties, viewed conjunction period incarceration, so severe they clearly reflect legislative determination "serious" one. test, clear Legislature view serious It immaterial may face minimum some offenders receive sentence, because even exceed constitutional demarcation point months. Likewise, 90-day suspension irrelevant if runs concurrently term. service specified clothing, source embarrassment, less embarrassing onerous than jail. Also, $1,000 well below $5,000 level set Congress its recent definition offense, increased penalties recidivists commonplace faced petitioners. Pp. 541-545. Nev. 623, 748 P.2d 494 (1987) affirmed. MARSHALL, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. John J. Graves, Jr., Las Vegas, Nev., L. Zolaoras, North respondent. Justice MARSHALL 1 issue case whether there (DUI). Nev.Rev.Stat. § 484.379(1) (1987). We hold not. 2 punishable two days' imprisonment onths' imprisonment. 484.3792(1)(a)(2). Alternatively, court order "to perform distinctive garb which identifies him [a offender]." Ibid. also ranging from $200 $1,000. 484.3792(1)(a)(3). automatically loses driver's days, 483.460(1)(c),1 he attend, at own expense, course. 484.3792(1)(a)(1). Repeat penalties.2 3 Petitioners Blanton Fraley Neither had prior conviction. Nevada, their respective pretrial demands Eighth but, month later, then appealed did respondent city Vegas respect Fraley. After consolidating cases along several others raising same issue, concluded, inter alia, only possible (1987).3 certiorari consider petitioners entitled trial, 487 1203, 108 2843, 101 880 (1988), now affirm. 4 been settled "there category provision." Duncan v. Louisiana, 391 145, 159, 88 1444, 1452, 20 491 (1968); see Columbia Clawans, 300 617, 624, 57 660, 661, 81 L.Ed. 843 (1937); Callan Wilson, 127 540, 557, 8 1301, 1307, 32 223 (1888).4 particular should categorized "petty," our early decisions focused on nature was triable common law. See, e.g., Colts, 282 63, 73, 51 52, 53, 75 177 (1930); Callan, supra, U.S., 555-557, S.Ct., 1306-1307. years, however, we have sought more "objective indications society regards offense." Frank United States, 395 147, 148, 89 1503, 1505, 23 162 (1969).5 "[W]e found relev nt such criteria penalty." Baldwin New York, 399 66, 68, 1886, 1887, 26 437 (1970) (plurality opinion); Duncan, 1452. fixing crime, legislature "include[s] within crime itself judgment about Frank, 149, 1505. judiciary substitute legislature, "far better equipped task, [is] likewise responsive changes attitude amenable recognition correction misperceptions respect." Landry Hoepfner, 840 F.2d 1201, 1209 (CA5 1988) (en banc), cert. pending, 88-5043. 5 using word "penalty," do refer solely A legislature's reflected other attaches See States Jenkins, 780 472, 474, n. (CA4), denied, 476 1161, 106 2283, 724 (1986). thus examine "whether length punishment enough require trial." 161, 1453 (emphasis added); 152, 1507 (three years' probation "onerous make otherwise 'serious' ").6 Primary emphasis, placed incarceration. engender "a significant infringement personal freedom," id., 151, 1506, cannot approximate loss liberty entails. Indeed, "intrinsically different" form punishment, Muniz Hoffman, 422 454, 477, 95 2178, 2190, 45 319 (1975), powerful indication "serious." 6 Following decision established whenever greater 69, 1888; 74-76, 1891-1892 (Black, concurring judgment). possibility sentence exceeding months, determined, "sufficiently itself" opportunity Id., 1888, 6. As recognized will seldom "trivial 'petty.' " 1890. But disadvantages though be, outweighed benefits result speedy inexpensive nonjury adjudications." Ibid.; 160, 1453. 7 Although carrying qualifies "petty" offense,7 decline today, find appropriate presume purposes views "petty." circumstances demonstrate question standard, albeit somewhat imprecise, ensure availability rare situation where packs deems nonetheless "do puncture 6-month line." Brief 16.8 Applying these principles here, apparent presumption therefore exists Amendment. Considering well, believe indicated 9 first place, settling months' point, assumed would sentence. constitutionally determinative, therefore, required serve amount jail time little moment prohibitions plea bargaining probation. suspension, it, too, assume present months.9 10 unpersuaded fact that, instead ordered clothing identifying Even assuming outfit embarrassment during 48-hour period,10 fine, 18 U.S.C. (1982 ed., Supp. IV), suggest congressional figure out step state practice sentences less.11 Finally, ascribe significance offenses. Recidivist magnitude imposed and, event, here.12 11 Viewed together, deemed error, deny trials. Accordingly, 12 Affirmed. restricted issued after days permits travel work, obtain food medicine, regularly scheduled medical care. 483.490(2). second prison. 484.3792(1)(b). second-time $500 ibid., one year. 483.460(1)(b)(5). third-time year's 484.3792(1)(c). third $2,000 $5,000, privileges three years. 483.460(1)(a)(2). prosecutor dismiss charge "in exchange guilty nolo contendere lesser reason knows obvious" insufficient evidence prove 484.3792(3). Trial courts suspend impose convictions. instructions proceed without Because pleaded before took appeal Court, reinstate applies through Fourteenth (1968). Our move away inquiries into matters defendant's presaged 628, 663, (1937), stated: "Doubts resolved, subjectively recourse judge sympathy emotions, objective standards observed laws practices taken gauge social ethical judgments." adherence common-law approach undermined substantial number lacking antecedents. 1209-1210 88-5043; Woods, 450 F.Supp. 1335, 1345 (Md.1978); Amicus Curiae 18. criminal contempt prosecutions, "where authorized, actually best "only potential excess sufficiently take opinion) Codispoti Pennsylvania, 418 506, 512, 4, 94 2687, 2691, 41 912 (1974). performing analysis, resulting action, those mandated statute regulation, considered. Note, Constitutional Right Jury Offense Driving While Intoxicated, 73 Minn.L.Rev. 122, 149-150 (1988) (nonstatutory consequences conviction "are speculative nature, determine consistency occur, especially context society's continually shifting moral values"). unclear run concurrently. 483.460(1) not, say matter, particularly obtained Cf. supra. Furthermore, requirement al ohol course described de minimis. hampered review record contains neither description nor details worn. frequently looked federal classification scheme provided. 476-477, (1975); Baldwin, 71, 1889; longer characterizes 98 Stat. 2027, 2031, 99 1728 (repealing 1), current scheme, 3559 V), individual facing remains $5,000. 3571(b)(6) V). petitioners' invitation survey drunken States. does. Martin Ohio, 480 228, 236, 107 1098, 1103, 267 past decisions, chiefly nationwide consensus triggered regardless involved. 70-73, 1888-1890; light status enhanced claim absence prosecution.

Category: 0