Court Opinion

ID: 9662041
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 22:57:49.452333+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:14:36.096706
License: Public Domain

REYNOLDSON, Justice
(concurring specially).
I agree possession of narcotics could not be considered a “lesser included offense” within the crime of sale of narcotics. This special concurrence arises only from majority’s attempt to distinguish and explain State v. Hawkins, 203 N.W.2d 555 (Iowa 1973).
The offense of operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent is not a necessarily included legal element of the crime of motor vehicle larceny. One could drive away an auto transport and thus be convicted of stealing several cars without ever operating one of them. Our attempt to sustain Hawkins while continuing to pay lip service to the basic rule enunciated by Justice Albert in State v. Marshall (quoted by majority) leaves a wake of utter confusion in these cases.
This case is typical of the uncertainty Hawkins created. We should renounce that decision so trial courts might again accurately pinpoint included offenses, and this court avoid endless appeals.
UHLENHOPP, J., joins this special concurrence.