Court Opinion

ID: 9822119
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-01 08:47:44.248297+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:39:01.824961
License: Public Domain

McEVERS, Justice,
concurring.
[¶ 18] I agree with the result reached by the majority opinion. I write,separately to note that when the State fails to prove all of the elements of the offense charged beyond a reasonable doubt, the outcome should be an acquittal. State v. Vogel, 467 N.W.2d 86, 89 (N.D.1991). The majority correctly points out that, under State v. Tutt, 2007 ND 77, 732 N.W.2d 382, Mann’s three prior convictions constituted an essential element of the class C felony charge. The jury here was not instructed to consider lesser included offenses if the State failed to prove the underlying convictions. However, the defendant here, after first moving for a judgment of acquittal, thereafter moved the court to enter a judgment to conform with the jury verdict. In essence, by bringing this motion, Mann admitted she was guilty of a class B misdemeanor offense of driving under the influence.
[¶ 19] DANIEL J. CROTHERS.