44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

RELATING TO ALCOHOL; LOWERING THE STANDARD FOR A PRESUMPTION OF INTOXICATION WHEN A PERSON DRIVES WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR; AMENDING SECTIONS OF THE NMSA 1978.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. Section 66-8-102 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1953, Chapter 139, Section 54, as amended by Laws 1997, Chapter 43, Section 1 and also by Laws 1997, Chapter 205, Section 1) is amended to read:

"66-8-102. PERSONS UNDER INFLUENCE OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR OR DRUGS--AGGRAVATED DRIVING WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR OR DRUGS--PENALTY.--

A. It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of intoxicating liquor to drive any vehicle within this state.

B. It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of any drug to a degree that renders him incapable of safely driving a vehicle to drive any vehicle within this state.

C. It is unlawful for any person who has an alcohol concentration of [eight] five one-hundredths or more in his blood or breath to drive any vehicle within this state.

D. Aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs consists of a person who:

(1) has an alcohol concentration of sixteen one-hundredths or more in his blood or breath while driving any vehicle within this state;

(2) has caused bodily injury to a human being as a result of the unlawful operation of a motor vehicle while driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs; or

(3) refused to submit to chemical testing, as provided for in the Implied Consent Act, and in the judgment of the court, based upon evidence of intoxication presented to the court, was under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.

E. Every person under first conviction [under] pursuant to this section shall be punished, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 31-18-13 NMSA 1978, by imprisonment for not more than ninety days or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or both; provided that if the sentence is suspended in whole or in part or deferred, the period of probation may extend beyond ninety days but shall not exceed one year. Upon a first conviction [under] pursuant to this section, an offender may be sentenced to not less than forty-eight hours of community service or a fine of three hundred dollars ($300). The offender shall be ordered by the court to participate in and complete a screening program described in Subsection H of this section and to attend a driver rehabilitation program for alcohol or drugs, also known as a "DWI school", approved by the traffic safety bureau of the state highway and transportation department and also may be required to participate in other rehabilitative services as the court shall determine to be necessary. In addition to those penalties, when an offender commits aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, the offender shall be sentenced to not less than forty-eight consecutive hours in jail. If an offender fails to complete, within a time specified by the court, any community service, screening program, treatment program or DWI school ordered by the court, the offender shall be sentenced to not less than an additional forty-eight consecutive hours in jail. Any jail sentence imposed [under] pursuant to this subsection for failure to complete, within a time specified by the court, any community service, screening program, treatment program or DWI school ordered by the court or for aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs shall not be suspended, deferred or taken under advisement. On a first conviction [under] pursuant to this section, any time spent in jail for the offense prior to the conviction for that offense shall be credited to any term of imprisonment fixed by the court. A deferred sentence [under] pursuant to this subsection shall be considered a first conviction for the purpose of determining subsequent convictions.

F. A second or third conviction [under] pursuant to this section shall be punished, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 31-18-13 NMSA 1978, by imprisonment for not more than three hundred sixty-four days or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both; provided that if the sentence is suspended in whole or in part, the period of probation may extend beyond one year but shall not exceed five years. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary for suspension or deferment of execution of a sentence:

(1) upon a second conviction, each offender shall be sentenced to a jail term of not less than seventy-two consecutive hours, forty-eight hours of community service and a fine of five hundred dollars ($500). In addition to those penalties, when an offender commits aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, the offender shall be sentenced to a jail term of not less than ninety-six consecutive hours. If an offender fails to complete, within a time specified by the court, any community service, screening program or treatment program ordered by the court, the offender shall be sentenced to not less than an additional seven consecutive days in jail. A penalty imposed pursuant to this paragraph shall not be suspended or deferred or taken under advisement; and

(2) upon a third conviction, an offender shall be sentenced to a jail term of not less than thirty consecutive days and a fine of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750). In addition to those penalties, when an offender commits aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, the offender shall be sentenced to a jail term of not less than sixty consecutive days. If an offender fails to complete, within a time specified by the court, any screening program or treatment program ordered by the court, the offender shall be sentenced to not less than an additional sixty consecutive days in jail. A penalty imposed pursuant to this paragraph shall not be suspended or deferred or taken under advisement.

G. Upon a fourth or subsequent conviction [under] pursuant to this section, an offender is guilty of a fourth degree felony, as provided in Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978, and shall be sentenced to a jail term of not less than six months, which shall not be suspended or deferred or taken under advisement.

H. Upon any conviction [under] pursuant to this section, an offender shall be required to participate in and complete, within a time specified by the court, an alcohol or drug abuse screening program and, if necessary, a treatment program approved by the court. The penalty imposed pursuant to this subsection shall not be suspended, deferred or taken under advisement.

I. In the case of a first, second or third offense [under] pursuant to this section, the magistrate court has concurrent jurisdiction with district courts to try the offender.

J. A conviction [under] pursuant to a municipal or county ordinance in New Mexico or a law of any other jurisdiction, territory or possession of the United States that is equivalent to New Mexico law for driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, [prescribing] and prescribes penalties for driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, shall be deemed to be a conviction [under] pursuant to this section for purposes of determining whether a conviction is a second or subsequent conviction.

K. In addition to any other fine or fee [which] that may be imposed pursuant to the conviction or other disposition of the offense [under] pursuant to this section, the court may order the offender to pay the costs of any court-ordered screening and treatment programs.

L. As used in this section:

(1) "bodily injury" means an injury to a person that is not likely to cause death or great bodily harm to the person, but does cause painful temporary disfigurement or temporary loss or impairment of the functions of any member or organ of the person's body; and

(2) "conviction" means an adjudication of guilt and does not include imposition of a sentence."

Section 2. Section 66-8-102.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1982, Chapter 102, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-8-102.1. GUILTY PLEAS--LIMITATIONS.--Where the complaint or information alleges a violation of Section

66-8-102 NMSA 1978, any plea of guilty thereafter entered in satisfaction of the charges shall include at least a plea of guilty to the violation of one of the subsections of Section 66-8-102 NMSA 1978, and no other disposition by plea of guilty to any other charge in satisfaction of the charge shall be authorized if the results of a test performed pursuant to the Implied Consent Act disclose that the blood or breath of the person charged contains an alcohol concentration of [eight] five one-hundredths or more."

Section 3. Section 66-8-110 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 518, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-8-110. USE OF TESTS IN CRIMINAL ACTIONS OR CIVIL ACTIONS--LEVELS OF INTOXICATION--MANDATORY CHARGING.--

A. The results of a test performed pursuant to the Implied Consent Act may be introduced into evidence in any civil action or criminal action arising out of the acts alleged to have been committed by the person tested for driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.

B. When the blood or breath of the person tested contains [(1)] an alcohol concentration of less than five one-hundredths [or less], it shall be presumed that the person was not under the influence of intoxicating liquor [or

(2) an alcohol concentration of more than five one-hundredths but less than eight one-hundredths, no presumption shall be made that the person either was or was not under the influence of intoxicating liquor. However, the amount of alcohol in the person's blood may be considered with other competent evidence in determining whether the person was under the influence of intoxicating liquor].

C. When the blood or breath of the person tested contains an alcohol concentration of [eight] five one-hundredths or more, the arresting officer shall charge him with a violation of Section 66-8-102 NMSA 1978.

D. When a person is less than twenty-one years of age and the blood or breath of the person contains an alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths or more, the person's driving privileges shall be revoked pursuant to the provisions of the Implied Consent Act.

E. The determination of alcohol concentration shall be based on the grams of alcohol in one hundred milliliters of blood or the grams of alcohol in two hundred ten liters of breath.

[F. The presumptions in Subsection B of this section do not limit the introduction of other competent evidence concerning whether the person was under the influence of intoxicating liquor.

G.] F. If a person is convicted of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, the trial judge shall be required to inquire into the past driving record of the person before sentence is entered in the matter."

Section 4. Section 66-8-111 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 519, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-8-111. REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO CHEMICAL TESTS--TESTING--GROUNDS FOR REVOCATION OF LICENSE OR PRIVILEGE TO DRIVE.--

A. If a person under arrest for violation of an offense enumerated in the Motor Vehicle Code refuses upon request of a law enforcement officer to submit to chemical tests designated by the law enforcement agency as provided in Section 66-8-107 NMSA 1978, none shall be administered except when a municipal judge, magistrate or district judge issues a search warrant authorizing chemical tests as provided in Section 66-8-107 NMSA 1978 upon his finding in a law enforcement officer's written affidavit that there is probable cause to believe that the person has driven a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, thereby causing the death or great bodily injury of another person, or there is probable cause to believe that the person has committed a felony while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance and that chemical tests as provided in Section 66-8-107 NMSA 1978 will produce material evidence in a felony prosecution.

B. The department, upon receipt of a statement signed under penalty of perjury from a law enforcement officer stating the officer's reasonable grounds to believe the arrested person had been driving a motor vehicle within this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or [drug] drugs and that, upon his request, the person refused to submit to a chemical test after being advised that failure to submit could result in revocation of his privilege to drive, shall revoke the person's New Mexico driver's license or any nonresident operating privilege for a period of one year or until all conditions for license reinstatement are met, whichever is later.

C. The department, upon receipt of a statement signed under penalty of perjury from a law enforcement officer stating the officer's reasonable grounds to believe the arrested person had been driving a motor vehicle within this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor and that the person submitted to chemical testing pursuant to Section 66-8-107 NMSA 1978 and the test results indicated an alcohol concentration of [eight] five one-hundredths or more in the person's blood or breath if the person is twenty-one years of age or older or an alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths or more in the person's blood or breath if the person is less than twenty-one years of age, shall revoke the person's license or permit to drive or his nonresident operating privilege for a period of:

(1) ninety days or until all conditions for license reinstatement are met, whichever is later, if the person is twenty-one years of age or older;

(2) six months or until all conditions for license reinstatement are met, whichever is later, if the person is less than twenty-one years of age and has not previously had his license revoked pursuant to the provisions of this section, notwithstanding any provision of the Children's Code; or

(3) one year or until all conditions for license reinstatement are met, whichever is later, if the person has previously had his license revoked pursuant to the provisions of this section, notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection or any provision of the Children's Code.

D. The determination of alcohol concentration shall be based on the grams of alcohol in one hundred milliliters of blood or the grams of alcohol in two hundred ten liters of breath.

E. If the person subject to the revocation provisions of this section is a resident or will become a resident within one year and is without a license to operate a motor vehicle in this state, the department shall deny the issuance of a license to him for the appropriate period of time as provided in Subsections B and C of this section.

F. A statement signed by a law enforcement officer, pursuant to the provisions of Subsection B or C of this section, shall be sworn to by the officer or shall contain a declaration substantially to the effect: "I hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the information given in this statement is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.". A law enforcement officer who signs a statement, knowing that the statement is untrue in any material issue or matter, is guilty of perjury as provided in Section 66-5-38 NMSA 1978."

Section 5. Section 66-8-111.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1984, Chapter 72, Section 7, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-8-111.1. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AGENT FOR DEPARTMENT--WRITTEN NOTICE OF REVOCATION AND RIGHT TO HEARING.--On behalf of the department, a law enforcement officer requesting a chemical test or directing the administration of a chemical test pursuant to Section 66-8-107 NMSA 1978 shall serve immediate written notice of revocation and of right to a hearing on a person who refuses to permit chemical testing or on a person who submits to a chemical test the results of which indicate an alcohol concentration of [eight] five one-hundredths or more in the person's blood or breath if the person is twenty-one years of age or older, [or] an alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths or more in the person's blood or breath if the person is less than twenty-one years of age or that the person had been under the influence of any drug. Upon serving notice of revocation, the law enforcement officer shall take the license or permit of the driver, if any, and issue a temporary license valid for twenty days or, if the driver requests a hearing pursuant to Section 66-8-112 NMSA 1978, valid until the date the department issues the order following that hearing; provided that no temporary license shall be issued to a driver without a valid license or permit. The law enforcement officer shall send the person's driver's license to the department along with the signed statement required pursuant to Section 66-8-111 NMSA 1978."

Section 6. Section 66-8-112 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 520, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-8-112. REVOCATION OF LICENSE OR PRIVILEGE TO DRIVE--

NOTICE--EFFECTIVE DATE--HEARING--HEARING COSTS--REVIEW.--

A. The effective date of revocation pursuant to Section 66-8-111 NMSA 1978 is twenty days after notice of revocation or, if the person whose license or privilege to drive is being revoked or denied requests a hearing pursuant to this section, the date that the department issues the order following that hearing. The date of notice of revocation is:

(1) the date the law enforcement officer serves written notice of revocation and of right to a hearing pursuant to Section 66-8-111.1 NMSA 1978; or

(2) in the event the results of a chemical test cannot be obtained immediately, the date notice of revocation is served by mail by the department. This notice of revocation and of right to a hearing shall be sent by certified mail and shall be deemed to have been served on the date borne by the return receipt showing delivery, refusal of the addressee to accept delivery or attempted delivery of the notice at the address obtained by the arresting law enforcement officer or on file with the department.

B. Within ten days after receipt of notice of revocation pursuant to Subsection A of this section, a person whose license or privilege to drive is revoked or denied or the person's agent may request a hearing. The hearing request shall be made in writing and shall be accompanied by a payment of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) or a sworn statement of indigency on a form provided by the department. A standard for indigency shall be established pursuant to regulations adopted by the department. Failure to request a hearing within ten days shall result in forfeiture of the person's right to a hearing. Any person less than eighteen years of age who fails to request a hearing within ten days shall have notice of revocation sent to his parent, guardian or custodian by the department. A date for the hearing shall be set by the department, if practical, within thirty days after receipt of notice of revocation. The hearing shall be held in the county in which the offense for which the person was arrested took place.

C. The department may postpone or continue any hearing on its own motion or upon application from the person and for good cause shown for a period not to exceed ninety days from the date of notice of revocation and provided that the department extends the validity of the temporary license for the period of the postponement or continuation.

D. At the hearing, the department or its agent may administer oaths and may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books and papers.

E. The hearing shall be limited to the issues:

(1) whether the law enforcement officer had reasonable grounds to believe that the person had been driving a motor vehicle within this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs;

(2) whether the person was arrested; and

(3) whether this hearing is held no later than ninety days after notice of revocation and either:

[(4)] (a) whether the person refused to submit to a test upon request of the law enforcement officer and [(b)] whether the law enforcement officer advised that the failure to submit to a test could result in revocation of the person's privilege to drive; or

[(5) (a)] (b) whether the chemical test was administered pursuant to the provisions of the Implied Consent Act and [(b)] whether the test results indicated an alcohol concentration of [eight] five one-hundredths or more in the person's blood or breath if the person is twenty-one years of age or older or an alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths or more in the person's blood or breath if the person is less than twenty-one years of age.

F. The department shall enter an order sustaining the revocation or denial of the person's license or privilege to drive if the department finds that:

(1) the law enforcement officer had reasonable grounds to believe the driver was driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or [drug] drugs;

(2) the person was arrested;

(3) this hearing is held no later than ninety days after notice of revocation; and

(4) the person either refused to submit to the test upon request of the law enforcement officer after the law enforcement officer advised him that his failure to submit to the test could result in the revocation of his privilege to drive or that a chemical test was administered pursuant to the provisions of the Implied Consent Act and the test results indicated an alcohol concentration of [eight] five one-hundredths or more if the person is twenty-one years of age or older or an alcohol concentration of two one-hundredths or more if the person is less than twenty-one years of age.

If one or more of the elements set forth in Paragraphs (1) through (4) of this subsection are not found by the department, the person's license shall not be revoked.

G. A person adversely affected by an order of the department may seek review within thirty days in the district court in the county in which the offense for which the person was arrested took place. The district court, upon thirty days' written notice to the department, shall hear the case. On review, it is for the court to determine only whether reasonable grounds exist for revocation or denial of the person's license or privilege to drive based on the record of the administrative proceeding.

H. Any person less than eighteen years of age shall have results of his hearing forwarded by the department to his parent, guardian or custodian."

Section 7. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 1999.