Court Opinion

ID: 9696415
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 18:47:19.031965+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:20:22.107846
License: Public Domain

WILLIAMSON, Chief Justice
(dissenting).
In my opinion the authority of the Secretary of State was limited to the suspension of the plaintiff’s license for three months under Sec. 1312-A.
In State v. Bryce, Me., 243 A.2d 726, operating “under the influence” under Sec. 1312 gave way to driving while “impaired” under Sec. 1312-A. Likewise, as I see it, an attempt to operate “under the influence” must give way to an attempt to drive while “impaired” under Sec. 1312-A. I am unable to save the attempt of Sec. 1312 after the statutory offense itself has been repealed.
We are not here concerned with the punishment for an attempt under the “impairment” statute. See 17 M.R.S.A. Sec. 251 limiting punishment where no express provision for attempt.
It is sufficient in my opinion for suspension of the license by the Secretary of State that the defendant violated Sec. 1312-A.