Court Opinion

ID: 9528622
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 03:42:39.819621+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:27:08.511609
License: Public Domain

COATS, Judge,
concurring.
There is serious question whether a defendant who violates the law without any negligence on his part can be punished by criminal sanctions under art. I, § 7 of the Alaska Constitution. However, since the legislature has not clearly authorized the imposition of criminal sanctions where the defendant has violated the law without a culpable mental state, I join Judge Singleton in holding that criminal sanctions have not been authorized. I therefore find it unnecessary to reach the constitutional issue reached by Chief Judge Bryner. However, I think it is only fair to point out that if the legislature clearly authorizes the imposition of criminal sanctions for defendants who commit violations without having a culpable mental state, there is a substantial chance that the legislation would be in violation of art. I, § 7 of the Alaska Constitution.