What is the law on DUI in Merriam Municipal Court?
The City of Merriam is one of the many cities that have adopted the Standard Traffic Ordinance for Kansas Municipalities. The Standard Traffic Ordinance for Kansas Municipalities is a code that many cities adopt to avoid the cost and time involvement in passing their own laws. Cities that adopt the Standard Traffic Ordinance are allowed to modify or change the code as they see fit. Merriam has adopted the code with a few minor changes. Below is the city ordinance prohibiting DUI in the city of Merriam. If you are in Merriam Municipal Court charged with a DUI this is the law the court will use to determine your case.
Section 30 of the Standard Traffic Ordinance adopted and incorporated by section 68-19 is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 30. Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Drugs; Penalties.
a. Driving under the influence is operating or attempting to operate any vehicle within this city while:
The alcohol concentration in the person's blood or breath as shown by any competent evidence, including other competent evidence, as defined in K.S.A. 8-1013(f)(1) , and amendments thereto, is 0.08 or more;
The alcohol concentration in the person's blood or breath, as measured within three hours of the time of operating or attempting to operate a vehicle, is 0.08 or more;
Under the influence of alcohol to a degree that renders the person incapable of safely driving a vehicle;
Under the influence of any drug or combination of drugs to a degree that renders the person incapable of safely driving a vehicle; or
Under the influence of a combination of alcohol and any drug or drugs to a degree that renders the person incapable of safely driving a vehicle.
b. 1. Driving under the influence is:
a. On a first conviction a class B, nonperson misdemeanor. The person convicted shall be sentenced to not less than 48 consecutive hours nor more than six months' imprisonment, or in the court's discretion 100 hours of public service, and fined not less than $750.00 nor more than $1,000.00. The person convicted shall serve at least 48 consecutive hours' imprisonment or 100 hours of public service either before or as a condition of any grant of probation or suspension, reduction of sentence or parole. The court may place the person convicted under a house arrest program pursuant to K.S.A. 21-6609 , and amendments thereto, to serve the remainder of the sentence only after such person has served 48 consecutive hours' imprisonment;
b. On a second conviction a class A, nonperson misdemeanor. The person convicted shall be sentenced to not less than 90 days nor more than one year's imprisonment and fined not less than $1,250.00 nor more than $1,750.00. The person convicted shall serve at least five consecutive days' imprisonment before the person is granted probation, suspension or reduction of sentence or parole or is otherwise released. The five days' imprisonment mandated by this subsection may be served in a work release program only after such person has served 48 consecutive hours' imprisonment, provided such work release program requires such person to return to confinement at the end of each day in the work release program. The person convicted, if placed into a work release program, shall serve a minimum of 120 hours of confinement. Such 120 hours of confinement shall be a period of at least 48 consecutive hours of imprisonment followed by confinement hours at the end of and continuing to the beginning of the offender's work day. The court may place the person convicted under a house arrest program pursuant to K.S.A. 21-6609 , and amendments thereto, to serve the five days' imprisonment mandated by this subsection only after such person has served 48 consecutive hours' imprisonment. The person convicted, if placed under house arrest, shall be monitored by an electronic monitoring device, which verifies the offender's location. The offender shall serve a minimum of 120 hours of confinement within the boundaries of the offender's residence. Any exceptions to remaining within the boundaries of the offender's residence provided for in the house arrest agreement shall not be counted as part of the 120 hours;
c. On a third conviction a class A, nonperson misdemeanor. The person convicted shall be sentenced to not less than 90 days nor more than one year's imprisonment and fined not less than $1,750.00 nor more than $2,500.00. The person convicted shall not be eligible for release on probation, suspension or reduction of sentence or parole until the person has served at least 90 days' imprisonment. The 90 days' imprisonment mandated by this subsection may be served in a work release program only after such person has served 48 consecutive hours' imprisonment, provided such work release program requires such person to return to confinement at the end of each day in the work release program. The person convicted, if placed into a work release program, shall serve a minimum of 2,160 hours of confinement. Such 2,160 hours of confinement shall be a period of at least 48 consecutive hours of imprisonment followed by confinement hours at the end of and continuing to the beginning of the offender's work day. The court may place the person convicted under a house arrest program pursuant to K.S.A. 21-6609 , and amendments thereto, to serve the 90 days' imprisonment mandated by this subsection only after such person has served 48 consecutive hours' imprisonment. The person convicted, if placed under house arrest, shall be monitored by an electronic monitoring device, which verifies the offender's location. The offender shall serve a minimum of 2,160 hours of confinement within the boundaries of the offender's residence. Any exceptions to remaining within the boundaries of the offender's residence provided for in the house arrest agreement shall not be counted as part of the 2,160 hours.
In addition, prior to sentencing for any conviction, the court shall order the person to participate in an alcohol and drug evaluation conducted by a provider in accordance with K.S.A. 8-1008 , and amendments thereto. The person shall be required to follow any recommendation made by the provider after such evaluation, unless otherwise ordered by the court.
c. Any person 18 years of age or older convicted of violating this section who had one or more children under the age of 18 years in the vehicle at the time of the offense shall have such person's punishment enhanced by one month of imprisonment. This imprisonment must be served consecutively to any other minimum mandatory penalty imposed for a violation of this section. Any enhanced penalty imposed shall not exceed the maximum sentence allowable by law. During the service of the enhanced penalty, the judge may order the person on house arrest, work release or other conditional release.
d. If a person is charged with a violation of subsection (a)(4) or (a)(5), the fact that the person is or has been entitled to use the drug under the laws of this state shall not constitute a defense against the charge.
e. The court may establish the terms and time for payment of any fines, fees, assessments and costs imposed pursuant to this section. Any assessment and costs shall be required to be paid not later than 90 days after imposed, and any remainder of the fine shall be paid prior to the final release of the defendant by the court.
f.
In lieu of payment of a fine imposed pursuant to this section, the court may order that the person perform community service specified by the court. The person shall receive a credit on the fine imposed in an amount equal to $5.00 for each full hour spent by the person in the specified community service. The community service ordered by the court shall be required to be performed not later than one year after the fine is imposed or by an earlier date specified by the court. If by the required date the person performs an insufficient amount of community service to reduce to zero the portion of the fine required to be paid by the person, the remaining balance of the fine shall become due on that date.
The court may, in its discretion, waive any portion of a fine imposed pursuant to this section, except the $250 required to be remitted to the state treasurer pursuant to K.S.A. 12-4120( a) upon a showing that the person successfully completed court-ordered education or treatment.
g. The court shall electronically report every conviction of a violation of this section and every diversion agreement entered into in lieu of further criminal proceedings on a complaint alleging a violation of this section to the division including any finding regarding the alcohol concentration in the offender's blood or breath. Prior to sentencing under the provisions of this section, the court shall request and shall receive from the division a record of all prior convictions obtained against such person for any violations of any of the motor vehicle laws of this state.
h. For the purpose of determining whether a conviction is a first, second or third conviction in sentencing under this section:
Convictions for a violation of this section; K.S.A. 8-1567 , and amendments thereto; or a violation of an ordinance of any city or resolution of any county that prohibits the acts that this section prohibits; or entering into a diversion agreement in lieu of further criminal proceedings on a complaint alleging any such violations, shall be taken into account, but only convictions or diversions occurring on or after July 1, 2001. Nothing in this provision shall be construed as preventing any court from considering any convictions or diversions occurring during the person's lifetime in determining the sentence to be imposed within the limits provided for a first, second or third offense;
Any convictions for a violation of the following sections occurring during a person's lifetime shall be taken into account:
A. Driving a commercial motor vehicle under the influence, K.S.A. 8-2144 , and amendments thereto;
Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs, K.S.A. 32-1131 , and amendments thereto;
Involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, K.S.A. 21-3442, prior to its repeal, or K.S.A. 21-5405(a)(3) or (a)(5) , and amendments thereto;
Aggravated battery as described in K.S.A. 21-5413(b)(3) or (b)(4) , and amendments thereto; and
Aggravated vehicular homicide, K.S.A. 21-3405a, prior to its repeal, or vehicular battery, K.S.A. 21-3405b, prior to its repeal, if the crime was committed while committing a violation of K.S.A. 8-1567 , and amendments thereto;
"Conviction" includes:
A. Entering into a diversion agreement in lieu of further criminal proceedings on a complaint alleging an offense described in subsection (h)(2); and
B. Conviction of a violation of an ordinance of a city in this state, a resolution of a county in this state or any law of another jurisdiction that would constitute an offense that is comparable to the offense described in subsection (h)(1) or (h)(2);
Multiple convictions of any crime described in subsection (h)(1) or (h)(2) arising from the same arrest shall only be counted as one conviction;
It is irrelevant whether an offense occurred before or after conviction for a previous offense; and
A person may enter into a diversion agreement in lieu of further criminal proceedings for a violation of this section, and amendments thereto, or an ordinance which prohibits the acts of this section, and amendments thereto, only once during the person's lifetime.
i. For the purposes of determining whether an offense is comparable, the following shall be considered:
The name of the out-of-jurisdiction offense;
The elements of the out-of-jurisdiction offense; and
Whether the out-of-jurisdiction offense prohibits similar conduct to the conduct prohibited by the closest proximate Kansas offense.
j. Upon conviction of a person of a violation of this section or a violation of a city ordinance or county resolution prohibiting the acts prohibited by this section, the division, upon receiving a report of conviction, shall suspend, restrict or suspend and restrict the person's driving privileges as provided by K.S.A. 8-1014 , and amendments thereto.
k. Upon conviction of a person of a violation of this section, the court may order the convicted person to pay restitution to any victim who suffered loss due to the violation for which the person was convicted.
l. Upon the filing of a complaint, citation or notice to appear alleging a person has violated the acts prohibited by this section, and prior to conviction thereof, the city attorney or city prosecutor shall request and shall receive from the:
Division a record of all prior convictions obtained against such person for any violations of any of the motor vehicle laws of this state; and
Kansas bureau of investigation central repository all criminal history record information concerning such person.
m. No plea bargaining agreement shall be entered into nor shall any judge approve a plea bargaining agreement entered into for the purpose of permitting a person charged with a violation of this section to avoid the mandatory penalties established by this section. For the purpose of this subsection, entering into a diversion agreement pursuant to K.S.A. 12-4413 et seq. or 22-2906 et seq. , and amendments thereto, shall not constitute plea bargaining.
n. The alternatives set out in subsection (a) may be pleaded in the alternative, and the city may, but shall not be required to, elect one or more of such alternatives prior to submission of the case to the fact finder.
o. As used in this section:
"Alcohol concentration" means the number of grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood or per 210 liters of breath;
"Imprisonment" shall include any restrained environment in which the court and law enforcement agency intend to retain custody and control of a defendant and such environment has been approved by the board of county commissioners or the governing body of a city; and
"Drug" includes toxic vapors as such term is defined in K.S.A. 21-5712 , and amendments thereto.
Possible Punishment
*Class B Violations are punishable by up to 180 days in the Johnson County Jail, however, most Class B Violations are eligible for probation
*Class A Violations are punishable by up to 365 days in the Johnson County Jail, however, most Class A Violations are eligible for probation
You've been charged with a DUI in Merriam Municipal Court, now what do you do?
You're on the right track already, reading the law that the city claims you violated. Anytime you find yourself facing an unknown problem it is best to gather information before you act. Knowing what the law when facing a criminal case is a good place to start. As you can probably tell from looking through the law on DUI it is convoluted and often leads to more questions than answers. There is very little, "If I did this...did I break the law?" information in the text of the actual DUI law. Once you've parsed through the law you should begin looking at the commonly asked questions most people have when facing a DUI charge. Here is a complete write up written by a DUI lawyer with commonly asked questions associated with a DUI case. After you've read the law, read the commonly asked questions, it's time to sit down with an experienced DUI lawyer who practices in Merriam Municipal Court. Focus your time with your lawyer on getting your legal questions answered but also it is just as important to ask about the court, their processes, and the people and personalities that are making decisions on your case.