Court Opinion

ID: 9658611
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 21:06:20.750992+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:13:57.039002
License: Public Domain

Maher, P.J.
(concurring). I concur with the majority’s conclusion that a sentencing court may properly consider a prior conviction for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of liquor for purposes of determining whether a defendant has been conviction-free for a period of ten years. Accordingly, I would affirm the trial court’s sentence. I cannot agree, however, with that portion of the majority’s opinion implying that a conviction for ouil may not be scored as a misdemeanor conviction under the sentencing guidelines, because it is not a "drug-related” offense. In People v Jerovsek, 172 Mich App 489, 491; 432 NW2d 350 (1988), another panel of this Court directly held that a conviction for ouil could be properly scored under the guidelines as a drug-related offense. The Jerovsek Court’s decision was based in part upon its recognition that the Public Health Code defined "drug” as any substance recognized as a drug in the official United States pharmacopoeia, MCL 333.7105; MSA 14.15(7105), and that alcohol is recognized as a drug therein. I also agree that, because alcohol is recognized as a drug, an alcohol-related offense constitutes a drug-related offense and therefore may be scored as such under the guidelines.