Attorney Fox argued that you “could drive a truck through the reasonable doubt in this case” and, after 2.5 hours of deliberation, the 12 person jury agreed.

So, what happens when an officer fails to follow the script? In a recent Vermont Superior Court case in Windham County, the presiding judge found that the officer’s deviation from the implied consent rights script warranted a suppression of the refusal and a dismissal of the civil suspension.

Ad Lib at Your Own Peril

Defendant argued that the officer informing him that regardless of what the breath test showed, he would be facing a “case” was confusing enough to cloud the Defendant’s judgment in determining whether to submit to a test or not.

The Court found that implied consent rights must be strictly interpreted and that the deviation in this matter was substantial enough to effect Defendant’s decision making ability. The court referred to the DUI affidavit, stating that nowhere in this form was their a requirement by the officer to inform the Defendant that regardless of his breath test results, he would be charged with a crime.

Implied Consent Rights are Your Rights

It is important for any suspect to a Vermont criminal investigation to know all of their rights so they can make an informed decision. Although not as clear as other rights afforded suspects, such as Miranda, Implied Consent rights hold substantial weight in the eyes of the law if they are not followed. Holding law enforcement accountable, even in times where the officer is proceeding in good faith, is essential to ensuring that the rights afforded defendants do not diminish over the passage of time, especially when it comes to the gathering of such a crucial piece of evidence in any Vermont DUI case.

The announcement by the Federal Government that they intend to take cannabis off its schedule 1 classification seems logical. Considering that cannabis legalization has found its way to the desk of many governors, it was only a matter of time until marijuana, that has long shared the same classification as heroin and LSD, be classified as less serious, although still federally illegal.

Vermont passed a legalization law in 2022, becoming the 11th state to do so. Cannabis retail stores have been popping up all over the State ever since, allowing anyone over the age of 21 the ability to purchase a multitude of cannabis based products. Despite the ease of posession, the concern for the impairing effect that marijuana can have on operators of motor vehicles, continues to be a significant concern for law enforcement.

Driving While High Is as Illegal as Driving While Drunk

The DUI statute for driving while under the influence of marijuana carries the same maximum penalty ( 2 years in jail) as the DUI-alcohol statute. For a law enforcement officer to charge someone with a weed DUI, they must show that the operator was “under the influence to the slightest degree”. Any level of impairment is sufficient to meet the statutory requirements and subject the driver to a mandatory 90-day license suspension and a criminal conviction on your record.

How Does Law Enforcement Prove Impairment?

There is no per-se limit on cannabis DUIs. This differs from the .08 limit in alcohol DUIs. In response, marijuana DUI investigation focuses more on an officer’s observations and specialized training in determining impairment. Although the classic Cheech and Chong scene, where the officer approaches the two stoners who are lost in their van in a giant plume of smoke, such apparent evidence of consumption is not needed for an officer to reach an arrest decision.

Request or Demand for Blood.

An officer can also request that a suspect submit to a blood test in order to determine the presence of cannabis in their system. The Implied Consent laws for refusing to submit to a blood test are the same as an alcohol test refusal (six-month suspension for a first offense, with elevated penalties for subsequent offenses).

Depending on the circumstances of the arrest, an officer may also be able to apply for a search warrant from a judge if suspect consent is not obtained. This process is often initiated in cases where a serious injury or death has occurred, or if the suspect has prior DUI (alcohol or cannabis) convictions.

Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should

Despite cannabis being available for legal purchase throughout many Vermont towns, this permitted consumption does not extend to the road. So when you purchase that pack of joints from your neighborhood weed dealer keep in mind, that when it comes to driving while impaired, Vermont law enforcement will not look the other way just because you chose weed over booze.

The foregoing content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Readers with specific legal questions should consult with their private attorney.

However, even under optimal conditions and clear instructions from the officer, the FSTs are not conclusive proof of impairment. Although the FSTs can serve as one piece of a much more complex DUI puzzle, the burden on the state to prove each of the elements of DUI beyond a reasonable doubt require far more then an officer’s observations of the FSTs.

Can Prior Injuries or Diagnosis Explain FST Failure?

In some cases, the lack of balance, which plays a significant role in all 3 of the FSTs, can be explained due to medical conditions that impact a defendant’s ability to maintain a balanced position, especially under the stressful circumstance of a DUI investigation.

Have you suffered a lower body injury? Have you suffered a concussion or other brain injury. Do you have high sensitivity to light or occasions of Vertigo? If so, it is important to gather records of these injuries through your medical providers in order to provide some context as to the failure of the FSTs.

Did a Car Accident Occur Prior to FSTs?

In some cases, a defendant is requested to perform FSTs shortly after they were involved in a motor vehicle accident. Although there is no hard and fast rules prohibiting FSTs from being taken after an accident has occurred, the injuries sustained as a result of the crash can cast into doubt the validity of the tests.

Even in situations where the defendant is not transported to the hospital, it is still important to be evaluated by a medical professional in order to determine the extent of the bodily damage that was sustained. If a defendant declines all treatment, this important evidence as to their condition at the time of performing FSTs is lost, making it harder to explain to a judge or jury the impact this accident had on balance and the comprehension of officer instructions.

Age and Weight Can Raise Doubt as to FST Performance

Although not considered definitive, the National Highway Safety Association has found that individuals over the age of 65 and those who are 50 or more pounds overweight may have a more difficult time performing the FSTs even if not under the influence. Officers are encourage to take these factors into consideration when determining probable cause for a DUI arrest.

Even if the defendant is still arrested, using the NHTSA recommendations can cast doubt as to the validity of the FSTs, especially in cases where additional medical conditions are also a concern.

Gather Your Medical Records Early in a DUI Prosecution to Determine Whether a Defense Exists to the FSTs

It is not illegal to be off balance. Explaining the underlying cause of imbalance through medical testimony can be an impactful way to argue to a jury that the results of the FSTs in a Vermont DUI prosecution should be significantly discounted, or, in some cases, all together ignored. By putting together a medical chronology that supports a medical defense to a DUI, a defendant may be able to show that alcohol or drugs were not the underlying factor of their roadside behavior.

The information contained in this post is for informational purposes only. Any reader who has specific questions about the DUI or any other legal process should consult with their own private attorney.

The Vermont DMV has strict timelines on the filing of a uniform accident report by a motorist who is involved in a car accident where damage has been sustained. However, if there is an ongoing investigation into an accident, or if a motorist has been cited for a criminal offense, such as DUI or Negligent Operation, there are several complicated considerations that should be evaluated before submitting this report.

23 VSA  § 1129 states:

“The operator of a motor vehicle involved in a crash in which someone is injured or there is total property damage of $3,000.00 or more shall make a written report concerning the crash to the Commissioner on forms furnished by the Commissioner. The written report shall be mailed to the Commissioner within 72 hours after the crash. The Commissioner may require further facts concerning the crash be provided upon forms he or she furnishes (emphasis added).”

The Details of the Report

Much of the information requested in this report is not prejudicial to the defense of any claim that is brought against the motorist. Information such as the make and model of the car, policy number for insurance and your name and date of birth should be freely provided in a timely fashion. However, on page two of the Uniform Crash Report, there is a section that requests that you, in your own words, provide a narrative of what happened.

Filing a False Report

First off, it should be made clear that filing any type of false information in this report can be considered a crime under 13 V.S.A. § 1754.

Providing an Accurate Narrative

Further, if you provide an accurate detailed description of the events that led up to the accident, this information, which you are required to swear to the truth of, could be used against you in a criminal prosecution.

Does the 5th Amendment Apply?

All defendants in criminal actions have a right to not incriminate themselves under the 5th Amendment of the US Constitution. Since the DMV is requesting just that in their Uniform Accident Report, declining to answer may be a viable option after you have consulted with your attorney.

What Are the Consequences of Not Filing Any Report?

The Vermont DMV can move to suspend your license should you fail to fill out any accident report. As stated above, the basic identifying information should not provide too much risk of self incrimination. However, consulting with the appropriate legal professionals before submitting this report may be the best course of action before you ultimately determine how detailed you want to be in responding to the DMV’s request for information.

The information contained in this post is for general information only. Should you need specific legal advice concerning any matter, consult with your personal attorney.

Impaired Driver Rehabilitation Program (IDRP) Screening

The first step in license reinstatement is to complete an initial screening with the IDRP coordinator. This screening will determine whether there are alcohol or drug dependency issues that increase the likelihood of reoffending.

IDRP Class

After the screening has been completed, an individual convicted of DUI must then complete the class portion of the IDRP program. This class, requires regular attendance at group sessions (most are held via Zoom at this time). There are two options for DUI offenders. Participate in a once a week class for four weeks, or complete an overnight weekend intensive class. To see where these classes are held and on what dates, visit the IDRP calendar page.

Counseling

One of the major reasons for an initial screening is to determine whether an individual needs to engage in alcohol or drug counseling as a result of the findings in the screening report. For a DUI-First, there is customarily a requirement of at least four counseling sessions with a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor (LADC). DUI-Second offenses carry enhanced counseling requirements. LADCs are in high demand throughout Vermont and can be difficult to connect with to set up an initial appointment. If you do not have a personnel connection with an LADC, a good place to start looking can be found HERE.

The Certificate of Completion

Once both the IDRP class and, if necessary, counseling sessions have been completed, IDRP should send a completion certificate to the Vermont DMV, notifying them that this requirement has been complete.

Unfortunately, this certificate does not always automatically get sent after completion. It is important to conduct the necessary follow up with both the DMV and the IDRP program to ensure that the two agencies are communicating in a timely manner. Otherwise, your license could be held in limbo while the slow wheels of bureaucracy grind along at a snail’s pace.

SR-22 Certificate

Vermont requires that all individuals convicted of a DUI must obtain an SR-22 certificate from their insurance company, certifying that they are providing at least the mandated minimum coverage. Vermont’s minimum coverage currently sits at $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident and $10,000 in property damage. For more information on the SR-22 process visit the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation website.

Paying Reinstatement Fee

An often forgotten phase of the license reinstatement is paying the necessary license reinstatement fee to the Vermont DMV. Currently the fee is $98.00 and can be paid by visiting the DMV website.

If you do not pay this fee, your license will not be reinstated. I have seen numerous cases throughout the year where a motorist has been pulled over and arrested for Criminal Driving While License is Suspended merely because they never paid the reinstatement fee.

Your License is Not Reinstated Until You Receive Notice from the Vermont DMV

Do not assume that you are reinstated because you have completed the necessary steps. In order to be considered legally reinstated you must receive written notice from the DMV.

The DUI process carries with it many legal hurdles in order to get your life back on track. Although the criminal side of things bring potential financial penalties as well as the risk of a period of incarceration, the license suspension process can also be ripe with potential peril. Ensuring you understand and are able to navigate both in the most efficient manner possible is key to ensuring that the DUI become a distant memory in as short a time as possible.

There have been court cases in which this process has been used as a defense when the defendant was a type 1 diabetic and had high levels of ketones in their blood, which therefore were producing this effect where acetone or potentially Isopropanol was detected in the breathalyzer test causing a false positive.   “If ketoacidosis develops, the diabetic person may experience a myriad of symptoms including dry-mouth or fruity breath odor, and keytones on the breath could theoretically register as ethyl alcohol on BAC breath tests. Brick, Diabetes, Breath Acetone and Breathalyzer Accuracy: A Case Study, 9(1) Alcohol, Drugs and Driving (1993). In Michaels v. State ex rel. Dep’t of Transp., the defendant, a type 1 diabetic, claimed his blood-alcohol levels may have been affected by ketoacidosis. 2012 WY 33, ¶ 8, 271 P.3d 1003, 1006 (Wyo.2012).” Supreme Court of Wyoming.

Robert Olaf ANDERSON, Appellant (Defendant), v. The STATE of Wyoming, Appellee (Plaintiff) 2014.

There are other circumstances where this chemical process will happen in the body of people without a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.  Diets that are very low carb or no carb “ketogenic” diets, which are rapidly becoming a norm for use in weight loss can trigger this same chemical reaction in the body, producing a buildup of ketones (or ketoacidosis) leaving byproducts that look like alcohol to a breathalyzer machine. “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the USA has found that dieters and diabetics may have acetone levels which are hundreds and even thousand of times higher than those in others (5). Acetone is one of the many substances that can be falsely identified and measured as ethanol by some breathalyzer machines.”  Tazhmoye V., Crawford Donovan, A. McGrowder, Joan M. Rawlins: An assessment of falsely convicted type 1 diabetics in Jamaica by using the breathalyzer test, 2011.

Low calorie diets that may still utilize carbs for fuel can also cause this process, (Very Low Calorie Diet) “VLCD treatment leads to ketonemia with high concentrations of acetone, acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate in the blood. The interlock device determines alcohol (ethanol) in breath by electrochemical oxidation, but acetone does not undergo oxidation with this detector. However, under certain circumstances acetone is reduced in the body to isopropanol by hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)”.  Int J Obes (Lond). 2007 Mar;31(3):559-61. Epub 2006 Aug 8.False-positive breath-alcohol test after a ketogenic diet.Jones AW1, Rössner S.  

Based on the factors above which highlight the possibility for the human body to naturally produce certain chemicals that would be mistaken for ethanol in a breathalyzer test, one might conclude that with a growing population struggling with an obesity epidemic, an increasing amount of people adopting a low carb or no  carb, “ketogenic” diet, and he possibility of an extreme low calorie diet as a result of poverty, that the incidents of false positive breathalyzer tests in defendants who have consumed under the legal limit of alcohol, (or no alcohol at all) but may present with this metabolic picture, could be greater than law enforcement take into account. That being said, there is no reason to trust a breathalyzer as the only evidence that a driver was intoxicated.  A defense attorney, who practices in DUI should take into account the variety of physiological factors that have been scientifically tested more recently, which may indicate an error in the current system for testing a driver’s BAC on the roadside. 

It is very common that drivers operating or waiting in a designated turn-only lane will NOT put on their turn signals, perhaps assuming that their intention to turn is clear enough. However, as established in recent Vermont Supreme Court Decision State v. Cook (google “2017-368 Vermont”), the failure to utilize your turn signal in a designated turn-only lane will now be considered adequate grounds for a police officer to pull someone over and ticket them. The Vermont Supreme Court has not previously decided this precise issue, with past decisions indicating that an actual turn signal may not be necessary when the lane designation clearly allows only one legal maneuver.

Some American States do not require a turn signal in a turn-only lane, but Vermont and many other States do. Police officers in Vermont are allowed by law to perform a traffic stop whenever they have a reasonable and articulable suspicion of a Vermont traffic violation, like speeding, or a crime, such as driving under the influence. The Vermont Supreme Court reached its recent decision in Cook primarily based upon the specific wording of Vermont’s turn-signal statute. 

The Vermont Supreme Court also cited safety issues to support the decision in Cook, reasoning for example that other drivers stopped at an intersection may not be able to identify that an opposing or nearby lane is a turn-only lane. One might speculate that snowstorms and low visibility situations may also worsen a driver’s ability to perceive the designated direction of a nearby lane. 

I do not expect that this type of traffic stop will become common in Vermont. However, if a Vermont police officer decides to perform a traffic stop based upon a driver’s failure to activate their turn signal within a designated turn-only lane, that traffic stop will be upheld and the turn-signal violation is ticketable.

“Reviewing every aspect of the blood draw and analysis is a key component to defending DUI offenses”, stated Attorney Chadwick.  “The science and law behind these analysis are constantly evolving and we, as attorneys, need to stay ahead of the curve so that we can better understand the science that supports and/or undermines the reliability of these tests.”

For more information on the training received by Attorney Chadwick, click HERE.

The training required Attorney Chadwick to complete both a practical and written exam on teaching the principals of roadside DUI investigations by law enforcement.   “I am thrilled to have taken this course”, stated Attorney Chadwick while awaiting his flight home in Atlanta, Georgia.  “The training has given me further practical experience in evaluating DUI cases, and will go a long way in ensuring that my clients, who are facing a DUI in Vermont, will be best served in their pursuit of navigating the Vermont criminal justice system”

This recent certification furthers the field sobriety and DUI investigation practical student course which Attorney Chadwick completed in September of this year and allows him to give seminars to other practicing attorneys on the ins and outs of DUI investigation and the application of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (or SFSTs).  “The goal of any attorney should be to never stop learning”, stated Chadwick.  “Although I feel that this training gives me a wealth of knowledge in defending Vermont DUIs, I will continue to look for other ways to broaden my understanding on the complexities of Vermont DUI defense.

“The training I received is vital to my practice of Vermont DUI defense” stated Chadwick.  “By receiving the exact training law enforcement officers receive I am now able to better understand the nuances of the application of the field sobriety tests that may cause their application on the roadside to be questioned.”

Attorney Chadwick anticipates furthering his education in the near future, as he has been invited to attend the field sobriety instructor training this winter, which will allow him to apply for field instructor certification.  “Educating myself on the many facets of Vermont DUI defense has always been my long term goal” stated Chadwick.  “The more I understand the DUI investigation and where mistakes can be made, the better I can serve my clients in ensuring they receive the best defense possible”.

Following the DUI investigation and the receipt of a citation, which tells you the date and time of the initial hearing on a DUI, the case turns from an investigation, into a prosecution.  For Vermont DUIs, the initial hearing is termed as an arraignment, which essentially means that it is the starting point of where the police officer’s work concludes and the Vermont State’s attorney’s work begins.  This article will touch on the basics of the formal process and give defendants a general idea of what to expect while their Vermont DUI winds its way through the court system.

Arraignment

The arraignment is where the defendant and their attorney are provided with the initial paper work (i.e. evidence) that supports the charge.  Affidavits from police, criminal background checks of all witnesses and other supporting documents are customarily produced at this hearing.  This packet of information does not constitute all of the evidence that the prosecution may rely on, but it serves as a good starting point for a defendant to understand what facts are being alleged and by whom.

After having time to review this information, the defendant and his/her counsel will appear before the judge and enter their plea to the charge.  If a not-guilty plea is entered, the judge will set a time for the parties to return to court and may also issue conditions that the defendant will need to comply with during the pendency of the case.  These conditions can range from informing your attorney of a change in address and coming to court when your told to do so, to checking in on a daily basis to a local police station to be subject to a breathalyzer.  The severity of the condition will be heavily dependent on the defendant’s personal circumstances and their prior criminal history.

The Discovery Phase

The 60-90 days between hearings affords both sides to the case time to review the evidence and request that additional information be provided, such as police video tapes, expert reports and other evidence that either supports or refutes the allegations.  This is also the time that motions to suppress evidence or dismiss the case can be filed.  If a motion is filed, the Court can either rule based on the motion itself, or set the matter for a hearing.  If a hearing is set, this will likely push back the date of the calendar call or pre-trial conference until after the motion has been ruled on.

Pre-Trial/Calendar Call

After all legal issues are settled and, if the case has not been dismissed, the pre-trial/calendar call represents a chance for the state and defendant to come together to see if a resolution can be reached.  This hearing can last several hours as there are numerous cases that are heard during the same time block.   It is not an ideal situation for any defendant to be place in a crowded court room while they wait for their attorney to report to them the substance of their discussions with the State.

If it is clear however, that a deal will not be reached at this hearing, a lot of time can be saved if it is reported to the judge early on that the case should be scheduled for its next hearing.  This will allow the defendant to leave the courthouse and for discussions between the State and defense counsel to occur off the record at another time.

Final Jury Call/Final Calendar Call

This hearing, in theory, is the last chance for a defendant and the state to reach an agreement before a jury is drawn and a trial occurs.  In reality, given the court schedule and the backlog of cases waiting for trial, the first final jury call/final calendar call will likely not be the last chance, to settle a case before a jury is draw.  In similar fashion to the pre-trial conference/calendar call, a defendant’s case will be one of many heard that day and again may entail a lot of waiting while the state’s attorneys meet with defense attorneys and self-reporesented individual to discuss settlement.

Settlement or Trial

If the Vermont DUI case is not dismissed, there will come a time in the prosecution where  the defendant will need to choose between settling the case or  trial.  Regardless of what advice a Vermont DUI attorney gives, the ultimate choice on whether to settle or go to trial falls on the shoulders of the defendant.  Depending on the court calendar and the facts of the case, a defendant  may have up to a year before they are forced to make this decision.  However, when and what decision to make will fall solely on the individual facts of the case and the final determination by the defendant.

The Processing

Once arrested, a defendant will be brought back to the arresting agencies barracks, where they will be submitted to a lengthy processing.  It is at this stage where many officers will shore up the evidence in their case, and it is where many defendants, mostly due to their unfamiliarity with the process, will end up incriminating themselves and thus reducing or eliminating all together the potential legal defenses they may have to the charge.

Miranda Rights

The first step in the processing is for the officer to issue the all too famous Miranda warnings, informing the defendant of their rights prior to interrogating them.  To boil down the rights afforded to defendants pursuant to the landmark Miranda v. Arizona case of 1966, it was found that:

The prosecution may not use statements, whether exculpatory or inculpatory, stemming from questioning initiated by law enforcement officers after a person has been taken into custody or otherwise deprived of his freedom of action in any significant way, unless it demonstrates the use of procedural safeguards effective to secure the Fifth Amendment’s privilege against self-incrimination. Pp. 444-491.

Simply put, if a Defendant is taken into custody they do not need to answer questions and cannot be punished due to their exercising this right.

In most Vermont DUI-first offense cases, the defendant wishes to be cooperative because they think they can curry favor with the officer and maybe handed a break.  There is a difference between being polite and courteous to the officer and being cooperative.  Certainly officers deserve a defendant’s courtesy however, they do not deserve a defendant’s cooperation.  A simple, “I would like to exercise my right to remain silent sir” achieves both purposes after an officer reads Miranda and protects the Defendant from providing evidence that will affect the outcome of their case later on.

Implied Consent

Officers are required to read from a prepared statement a defendant’s implied consent rights under the Vermont DUI statute (Title 23).  These rights inform the defendant of their right to either refuse or submit to a breath test at the station and the consequences of each decision.  For most officers, the breath test is the defining evidence in a Vermont DUI investigation and thus choosing to submit or refuse to a datamaster test may be the biggest decision the defendant makes.

Exercise right to consult with an attorney

Before deciding to either take or refuse a breath test, a defendant has a right to consult with an attorney of their choosing or with an on call public defender.  CONSULTING WITH AN ATTORNEY PRIOR TO DECIDING ON WHETHER TO TAKE THE BREATH TEST IS CRUCIAL BE SURE TO EXERCISE THIS RIGHT!

An experienced attorney can go through the evidence that the officer currently has and can give sound advice as to whether the breath test may help or hurt the defendant in their defense of the charge and what risks are being run for either determination.  Further, the attorney can go back through the implied consent rights to ensure the defendant understands them fully so they can make an educated decision based on the entire picture.

Notice of Intent to Suspend 

If a defendant submits to the breath test and the reading is above a .08 of if the defendant refuses to submit to the test, the officer will issue defendant with a notice of intent to suspend.  This is a form that carries a white and yellow copy.  A DEFENDANT HAS 7 DAYS TO REQUEST a hearing on the license suspension.  If they do not, their right to operate a motor vehicle in Vermont will be suspended on a date certain that is defined in the notice.  It is important for a defendant to preserve their right to a hearing on the civil suspension and thus, sending in the request immediately after being released is a crucial element of the DUI process

Citation

After the processing is complete, an officer will issue a defendant a citation to appear in court.  This gives the date and time and location of where the initial court hearing will take place.  In many cases this arraignment is held during the middle of the working week and can pose significant issues to the defendant, especially if they live far from the courthouse.  Seeking a waiver of one’s personal appearance is not out of the question if the defendant engages an attorney prior to the arraignment date.  This attorney in many cases can seek court approval for the attorney to appear in defendant’s stead, thus relieving the defendant from taking a day off of work to make the trip for what is a relatively brief initial hearing.

In the next post, we will discuss the actual prosecution of the DUI case, the timelines associated with the court process and a discussion on what potential outcomes may arise based on the facts of the case.

It is important to note however, that regardless of whether points transfer, the most important question to those living outside the State of Vermont is whether the violation itself transfers.  The violation (defined by a code) is what carries with it the potential for increased insurance rates, which as posted previously can cause motorists thousands of dollars in hiked premiums over the coming years.

What insurance companies are looking for when they check a motorist’s driving record is whether the violations themselves carry with them an indication that they fall under a category of “moving infractions”.  This means that the violation charged was the direct result of the manner in which an operator drove their motor vehicle.  Speeding violations are the first that come to mind.  However, there are other violations such as running a red-light, failure to yield and driving too fast for conditions which carry the same connotation as speed does in the eyes of insurance companies.

As a result, the overall motivation for any operator looking to contest their Vermont traffic ticket is to avoid as much of the “moving violation” indication on their driving record as possible.  This will minimize the damage of a driving record check and will ensure that an out-of-state motorist will not be hit as severely or at all, when their insurance company checks up on the driving status of an individual driver.

It has been well settled in Vermont that the following provisions must be followed in order for a DUI roadblock to be considered constitutional under the 4th Amendment.

As a general rule, a DUI roadblock will pass constitutional muster if: (1) the initial stop and the contact between the officers in the field and the motorist involves an explanation of the nature of the roadblock and minimal detention of a nonimpaired driver; (2) the discretion of the officers in the field, as to the method to be utilized in selecting vehicles to be stopped, is carefully circumscribed by clear objective guidelines established by a high level administrative official; (3) the guidelines are followed in the operation of the roadblock; (4) approaching drivers are given adequate warning that there is a roadblock ahead; (5) the likelihood of apprehension, fear or surprise is dispelled by a visible display of legitimate police authority at the roadblock; and (6) vehicles are stopped on a systematic, nonrandom basis that shows drivers they are not being singled out for arbitrary reasons.  State v. Martin 496 A.2d (VT 1985)

Roadblocks have been attacked on constitutional grounds for a wide range of reasons, such as Officers detaining a motorist for longer than is necessary or for them singling out certain vehicles based on their make and model or the appearance of the driver.

If your planning on driving during the evening hours this month, be sure to check local newspapers for press releases on DUI checkpoints that are planning on being conducted.  However, as a basic rule, the assumption should be, that if your driving at night this month, expect that there will be a Vermont DUI checkpoint somewhere along your travels.

However, the imposition of suspended jail sentence or, in some cases, a fine-only resolution, only tells a small part of the punishment that will be imposed. For most, the critical component of any plea deal is the length of license suspension. This suspension can range from 30-180 days on a DUI-firt offense depending on the circumstances, which for most can impose an undue hardship on their ability to provide for themselves.

Although the suspension is scary enough, the steps that a DUI conviction brings in order to have their license reinstated can take even longer than the 180 days period if the accused individual does not take affirmative steps at the onset of their DUI arrest.

So, with all this in mind, many may ask the question of whether they need a DUI attorney to assist them in navigating the legal land minds that await in a DUI charge. Although each individual’s circumstances are different, taking a concerted, focused approached on how to navigate the system and how to challenge certain aspects of a DUI charge can make a high difference in the degree of punishment that an accused endures. The investment to be guided through this process and the benefits of taking a road to resolution with the fewest obstacles possible may be well worth the small investment it takes to have a professional travel with you through this uncertain process.

Although the maximum penalty would be enough to scare anyone, there is a bottom line cost that most individuals can expect to pay when facing a DUI-First Offense.

License Suspension:  If convicted of a DUI, there is an automatic 90 day license suspension if you took the breath test or a 6 month suspension if you refused.  However, the suspension itself only tells one part of the story.

SR-22 Insurance:  If your license is suspended for a DUI-First Offense many insurance carriers will refuse to insure your vehicle.  Vermont requires an SR-22 form to be filled out to show that a motors is covered by sufficient insurance before they agree to reinstate your license.  The cost to have such insurance can be 3-5 times more than if you had a clean driving record.  Over the course of the three year period, that could amount to $5,000 or more added to your premium.

Fine:  Beyond the conviction, expect to pay a hefty fine if you choose to plead to a DUI charge.  Customarily, the fine will depend on your blood-alcohol-level, your conduct during the pendency of the case and your criminal record.  Although the fine may vary and can be negotiated to a certain degree, expect to pay at least a $600 fine as part of your DUI conviction.

Court Costs:  Don’t expect to get away from a DUI with just paying the suggested fine, as the State of Vermont will also tack on Court Costs, which can equal as much as 50% of the total fine.  As a result, a $600 fine will be increased by approximately $300 in court costs.

CRASH:  Any person convicted of a DUI in Vermont must complete CRASH to have their license reinstated.  There are two ways to complete CRASH, either through the weekend Course at the Clara Martin Center in White River Jct., or the weekly course at one of several locations across the State.  The cost of CRASH varies some, but expect to pay at least $450 for the course.

Counseling:  As a part of CRASH for this who are identified as higher risk, an individual convicted of a DUI must enroll in least 6 counseling sessions before they receive their certificate of completion from CRASH.  Counselors can be found through the CRASH administrator and cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $80 per one hour session.  Total cost:  $480.

License Reinstatement Fee:  You have completed all the steps and now are ready to receive your license back…not so fast, there is one more fee you have to pay to the Vermont DMV for them to reinstate your license.  Cost:  $73

TOTAL COST FOR A DUI-FIRST OFFENSE CONVICTION:

APPROX $6,903 

The scenarios played out above are not a guaranteed resolution.  Each case is fact specific and may result in more or less severe consequences depending on the potential defenses that are available and the conduct of the accused.

Vermont law enforcement officers have been trained in all sorts of techniques to gain consent from motorists.  In many cases, officers will use the, “give consent or I will have your vehicle towed” tactic, which can scare a motorist into thinking they truly have no other choice but to allow a search.

However, a recent report by CNET showed that an Iowa officer may have tried to go a little too far off the cuff  when he tried to gather consent from a motorist to search his vehicle for marijuana because the driver played frisbee golf.

The entire interaction was recorded, where the officer attempted several times to get the driver to consent to a search because in his opinion, all frisbee golfers apparently smoke weed.

The motorist was not buying into the officer’s assumptions however and, after several attempts to gain access to the vehicle, the officer let the motorist go with a warning for failing to turn on his headlights.

This tactic has raised some serious concerns as to just what strategies officers are using to gain access to people’s vehicles.  If frisbee golf is such a tactic, I don’t want to know what a Grateful Dead CD will bring.

Reckless driving and DUI hold the biggest risk of insurance hikes with an estimated 22 and 19 percent increase respectively.  However, even for less severe offenses, such as traveling 1-14 miles-per-hour over the posted speed limit, motorists can suffer an 11 percent insurance hike or more.

Vermont motor vehicle laws state that it takes two years for a driving violation to be cleaned off a motorists’ record.  This means, that any further driving violations can result in further increases to one’s insurance as well as the risk of license suspension if the issued points reach 10 or more.

The only way to combat insurance increases as a result of a traffic violation or DUI charge in Vermont is to fight back and thus the expense you must pay upfront to defend yourself, may be a worthwhile investment for both the short and long term.

Need to reduce or eliminate the damage a Vermont traffic ticket or DUI will have on your financial well being?  Email or call Vermont traffic ticket attorney Evan Chadwick, for a free initial case analysis.

chadwicklawvt@gmail.com

802-257-7161