TITLE 18

CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS

CHAPTER 80

MOTOR VEHICLES

18-8005.  Penalties. (1) Any person who pleads guilty to or is found guilty of a violation of the provisions of section 18-8004(1)(a), Idaho Code, for the first time is guilty of a misdemeanor; and, except as provided in section 18-8004C, Idaho Code:

(a)  May be sentenced to jail for a term not to exceed six (6) months;

(b)  May be fined an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000);

(c)  Shall be advised by the court in writing at the time of sentencing of the penalties that will be imposed for subsequent violations of the provisions of section 18-8004, Idaho Code, which advice shall be signed by the defendant, and a copy retained by the court and another copy retained by the prosecuting attorney;

(d)  Shall have his driving privileges suspended by the court for a period of thirty (30) days, which shall not be reduced and during which thirty (30) day period absolutely no driving privileges of any kind may be granted. After the thirty (30) day period of absolute suspension of driving privileges has passed, the defendant shall have driving privileges suspended by the court for an additional period of at least sixty (60) days, not to exceed one hundred fifty (150) days, during which the defendant may request restricted driving privileges that the court may allow, if the defendant shows by a preponderance of the evidence that driving privileges are necessary for his employment or for family health needs; and

(e)  Unless an exception is granted pursuant to section 18-8002(12), Idaho Code, shall within ten (10) days following the end of the period of absolute suspension have a state-approved ignition interlock system meeting the requirements of section 18-8008, Idaho Code, installed, at his expense, on all motor vehicles operated by him for a period to end one (1) year following the end of the suspension period. A court may determine that an offender is eligible to utilize available funds from the court interlock device and electronic monitoring device fund, as outlined in section 18-8010, Idaho Code, for the installation and operation of an ignition interlock device, based on evidence of financial hardship.

(2)  Any person who pleads guilty to or is found guilty of a violation of the provisions of section 18-8004(1)(b), Idaho Code, for the first time is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to:

(a)  The provisions of subsection (1)(a), (b), (c) and (e) of this section; and

(b)  The provisions of section 49-335, Idaho Code.

(3)  Any person who pleads guilty to or is found guilty of a violation of the provisions of section 18-8004(1)(c), Idaho Code, for the first time is guilty of a misdemeanor and is subject to:

(a)  The provisions of subsection (1)(a), (b), (c) and (e) of this section; and

(b)  The provisions of section 49-335, Idaho Code.

(4)  Any person who pleads guilty to or is found guilty of a violation of the provisions of section 18-8004(1)(a), (b) or (c), Idaho Code, who previously has been found guilty of or has pled guilty to a violation of the provisions of section 18-8004(1)(a), (b) or (c), Idaho Code, or any substantially conforming foreign criminal violation within ten (10) years, notwithstanding the form of the judgment(s) or withheld judgment(s), and except as provided in section 18-8004C, Idaho Code, is guilty of a misdemeanor; and, except as provided in section 18-8004C, Idaho Code:

(a)  Shall be sentenced to jail for a mandatory minimum period of no less than ten (10) days, the first forty-eight (48) hours of which must be consecutive, and five (5) days of which must be served in jail, as required by 23 U.S.C. 164, and may be sentenced to no more than one (1) year, provided however, that in the discretion of the sentencing judge, the judge may authorize the defendant to be assigned to a work detail program within the custody of the county sheriff during the period of incarceration;

(b)  May be fined an amount not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000);

(c)  Shall be advised by the court in writing at the time of sentencing of the penalties that will be imposed for subsequent violations of the provisions of section 18-8004, Idaho Code, which advice shall be signed by the defendant, and a copy retained by the court and another copy retained by the prosecuting attorney;

(d)  Shall surrender his driver’s license or permit to the court;

(e)  Shall have his driving privileges suspended by the court for an additional mandatory minimum period of one (1) year after release from confinement, during which one (1) year period absolutely no driving privileges of any kind may be granted; and

(f)  Shall, while operating a motor vehicle, be required to drive only a motor vehicle equipped with a functioning ignition interlock system, as provided in section 18-8008, Idaho Code, following the one (1) year mandatory license suspension period.

(5)  If the person has pled guilty or was found guilty for the second time within ten (10) years of a violation of the provisions of section 18-8004(1)(b) or (c), Idaho Code, then the provisions of section 49-335, Idaho Code, shall apply.

(6)  Except as provided in section 18-8004C, Idaho Code, any person who pleads guilty to or is found guilty of a violation of the provisions of section 18-8004(1)(a), (b) or (c), Idaho Code, who previously has been found guilty of or has pled guilty to two (2) or more violations of the provisions of section 18-8004(1)(a), (b) or (c), Idaho Code, or any substantially conforming foreign criminal violation, or any combination thereof, or who has completed a diversion program for driving under the influence, whether or not the person has pled guilty or been found guilty, or any substantially conforming foreign program, and has pled guilty or been found guilty of one (1) or more violations of the provisions of section 18-8004(1)(a), (b), or (c), Idaho Code, or any substantially conforming foreign criminal violation within ten (10) years, notwithstanding the form of the judgment(s) or withheld judgment(s), shall be guilty of a felony and:

(a)  Shall be sentenced to the custody of the state board of correction for not to exceed ten (10) years; provided that notwithstanding the provisions of section 19-2601, Idaho Code, should the court impose any sentence other than incarceration in the state penitentiary, the defendant shall be sentenced to the county jail for a mandatory minimum period of no less than thirty (30) days, the first forty-eight (48) hours of which must be consecutive, and ten (10) days of which must be served in jail, as required by 23 U.S.C. 164; and further provided that notwithstanding the provisions of section 18-111, Idaho Code, a conviction under this section shall be deemed a felony;

(b)  May be fined an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000);

(c)  Shall surrender his driver’s license or permit to the court;

(d)  Shall have his driving privileges suspended by the court for a mandatory minimum period of one (1) year after release from imprisonment, during which time he shall have absolutely no driving privileges of any kind, and may have his driving privileges suspended by the court for an additional period not to exceed four (4) years, during which the defendant may request restricted driving privileges that the court may allow if the defendant shows by a preponderance of the evidence that driving privileges are necessary for his employment or for family health needs; and

(e)  Shall, while operating a motor vehicle, be required to drive only a motor vehicle equipped with a functioning ignition interlock system, as provided in section 18-8008, Idaho Code, following the mandatory one (1) year license suspension period.

(7)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (4)(e) and (6)(d) of this section, any person who is enrolled in and is a participant in good standing in a drug court or mental health court approved by the supreme court drug court and mental health court coordinating committee under the provisions of chapter 56, title 19, Idaho Code, or other similar problem solving court utilizing community-based sentencing alternatives shall be eligible for restricted noncommercial driving privileges for the purpose of getting to and from work, school or an alcohol treatment program, which may be granted by the presiding judge of the drug court or mental health court or other similar problem solving court, provided that the offender has served a period of absolute suspension of driving privileges of at least forty-five (45) days, that a state-approved ignition interlock system is installed, at his expense, on any motor vehicles operated by the offender for a period to end one (1) year following the end of the suspension period and that the offender has shown proof of financial responsibility as defined and in the amounts specified in section 49-117, Idaho Code, provided that the restricted noncommercial driving privileges may be continued if the offender successfully completes the drug court, mental health court or other similar problem solving court, and that the court may revoke such privileges for failure to comply with the terms of probation or with the terms and conditions of the drug court, mental health court or other similar problem solving court program.

(8)  For the purpose of computation of the enhancement period in subsections (4), (6) and (9) of this section, the time that elapses between the date of commission of the offense and the date the defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty for the pending offense shall be excluded. If the determination of guilt against the defendant is reversed upon appeal, the time that elapsed between the date of the commission of the offense and the date the defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty following the appeal shall also be excluded.

(9)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (4) and (6) of this section, any person who has pled guilty to or has been found guilty of a felony violation of the provisions of section 18-8004, Idaho Code, a felony violation of the provisions of section 18-8004C, Idaho Code, a violation of the provisions of section 18-8006, Idaho Code, a violation of the provisions of section 18-4006 3.(b), Idaho Code, notwithstanding the form of the judgment(s) or withheld judgment(s) or any substantially conforming foreign criminal felony violation, notwithstanding the form of the judgment(s) or withheld judgment(s), and within fifteen (15) years pleads guilty to or is found guilty of a further violation of the provisions of section 18-8004, Idaho Code, shall be guilty of a felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to subsection (6) of this section.

(10) For the purpose of subsections (4), (6) and (9) of this section and the provisions of section 18-8004C, Idaho Code, a substantially conforming foreign criminal violation exists when a person has pled guilty to or has been found guilty of a violation of any federal law or law of another state, or any valid county, city, or town ordinance of another state substantially conforming to the provisions of section 18-8004, Idaho Code. The determination of whether a foreign criminal violation is substantially conforming is a question of law to be determined by the court.

(11) Any person who pleads guilty to or is found guilty of a violation of the provisions of section 18-8004, 18-8004C or 18-8006, Idaho Code, shall undergo, at his own expense (or at county expense through the procedures set forth in chapters 34 and 35, title 31, Idaho Code) and prior to the sentencing date, an alcohol evaluation by a substance use disorders service provider approved by the Idaho department of health and welfare; provided however, if the defendant has no prior or pending charges with respect to the provisions of section 18-8004, 18-8004C or 18-8006, Idaho Code, and the court has the records and information required under subsection (12)(a), (b) and (c) of this section or possesses information from other reliable sources relating to the defendant’s use or nonuse of alcohol or drugs that does not give the court any reason to believe that the defendant regularly abuses alcohol or drugs and is in need of treatment, the court may, in its discretion, waive the evaluation with respect to sentencing for a violation of section 18-8004 or 18-8004C(1), Idaho Code, and proceed to sentence the defendant. The court may also, in its discretion, waive the requirement of an alcohol evaluation with respect to a defendant’s first violation of the provisions of section 18-8004, 18-8004C or 18-8006, Idaho Code, and proceed to sentence the defendant if the court has a presentence investigation report, substance use disorder assessment, criminogenic risk assessment, or other assessment that evaluates the defendant’s degree of alcohol abuse and need for alcohol treatment conducted within twelve (12) months preceding the date of the defendant’s sentencing. In the event an alcohol evaluation indicates the need for alcohol treatment, the evaluation shall contain a recommendation by the evaluator as to the most appropriate treatment program, together with the estimated cost thereof, and recommendations for other suitable alternative treatment programs, together with the estimated costs thereof. The person shall request that a copy of the completed evaluation be forwarded to the court. The court shall take the evaluation into consideration in determining an appropriate sentence. If a copy of the completed evaluation has not been provided to the court, the court may proceed to sentence the defendant; however, in such event, it shall be presumed that alcohol treatment is required unless the defendant makes a showing by a preponderance of evidence that treatment is not required. If the defendant has not made a good faith effort to provide the completed copy of the evaluation to the court, the court may consider the failure of the defendant to provide the report as an aggravating circumstance in determining an appropriate sentence. If treatment is ordered, in no event shall the person or facility doing the evaluation be the person or facility that provides the treatment unless this requirement is waived by the sentencing court, with the exception of federally recognized Indian tribes or federal military installations, where diagnosis and treatment are appropriate and available. Nothing herein contained shall preclude the use of funds authorized pursuant to the provisions of chapter 3, title 39, Idaho Code, for court-ordered alcohol treatment for indigent defendants.

(12) At the time of sentencing, the court shall be provided with the following information:

(a)  The results, if administered, of any evidentiary test for alcohol and/or drugs;

(b)  A computer or teletype or other acceptable copy of the person’s driving record;

(c)  Information as to whether the defendant has pled guilty to or been found guilty of a violation of the provisions of section 18-8004, 18-8004C or 18-8006, Idaho Code, or a similar offense within the past five (5) years, notwithstanding the form of the judgment(s) or withheld judgment(s); and

(d)  The alcohol evaluation required in subsection (11) of this section, if any.

(13) A minor may be prosecuted for a violation of the provisions of section 18-8004 or 18-8004C, Idaho Code, under chapter 5, title 20, Idaho Code. In addition to any other penalty, if a minor pleads guilty to or is found guilty of a violation of the provisions of section 18-8004(1)(a), (b) or (c) or 18-8004C, Idaho Code, he shall have his driving privileges suspended or denied for an additional one (1) year following the end of any period of suspension or revocation existing at the time of the violation, or until he reaches the age of twenty-one (21) years, whichever period is greater. During the period of additional suspension or denial, absolutely no driving privileges shall be allowed.

(14) In the event that the alcohol evaluation required in subsection (11) of this section recommends alcohol treatment, the court shall order the person to complete a treatment program in addition to any other sentence that may be imposed, unless the court determines that alcohol treatment would be inappropriate or undesirable, in which event the court shall enter findings articulating the reasons for such determination on the record. The court shall order the defendant to complete the preferred treatment program set forth in the evaluation, or a comparable alternative, unless it appears that the defendant cannot reasonably obtain adequate financial resources for such treatment. In that event, the court may order the defendant to complete a less costly alternative set forth in the evaluation, or a comparable program. Such treatment shall, to the greatest extent possible, be at the expense of the defendant. In the event that funding is provided for or on behalf of the defendant by an entity of state government, restitution shall be ordered to such governmental entity in accordance with the restitution procedure for crime victims, as specified under chapter 53, title 19, Idaho Code. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as requiring a court to order that a governmental entity shall provide alcohol treatment at government expense unless otherwise required by law.

(15) Any person who is disqualified, or whose driving privileges have been suspended, revoked or canceled under the provisions of this chapter, shall not be granted restricted driving privileges to operate a commercial motor vehicle.

(16) As used in this section, "at his expense" includes the cost of obtaining, installing, using and maintaining an ignition interlock system.

History:

[18-8005, added 1984, ch. 22, sec. 2, p. 30; am. 1986, ch. 201, sec. 1, p. 501; am. 1988, ch. 265, sec. 564, p. 860; am. 1989, ch. 88, sec. 62, p. 202; am. 1989, ch. 175, sec. 1, p. 424; am. 1989, ch. 366, sec. 2, p. 917; am. 1990, ch. 45, sec. 45, p. 114; am. 1992, ch. 115, sec. 40, p. 383; am. 1992, ch. 139, sec. 1, p. 429; am. 1992, ch. 338, sec. 1, p. 1011; am. 1993, ch. 272, sec. 1, p. 909; am. 1994, ch. 148, sec. 2, p. 338; am. 1994, ch. 421, sec. 2, p. 1318; am. 1994, ch. 422, sec. 3, p. 1325; am. 1997, ch. 114, sec. 1, p. 284; am. 1999, ch. 80, sec. 2, p. 233; am. 2000, ch. 240, sec. 1, p. 671; am. 2000, ch. 247, sec. 3, p. 696; am. 2003, ch. 286, sec. 1, p. 773; am. 2005, ch. 352, sec. 3, p. 1092; am. 2006, ch. 261, sec. 3, p. 809; am. 2009, ch. 11, sec. 6, p. 16; am. 2009, ch. 184, sec. 5, p. 596; am. 2010, ch. 331, sec. 1, p. 877; am. 2011, ch. 265, sec. 4, p. 721; am. 2014, ch. 63, sec. 5, p. 162; am. 2015, ch. 60, sec. 1, p. 164; am. 2018, ch. 254, sec. 4, p. 597; am. 2019, ch. 29, sec. 1, p. 77; am. 2019, ch. 305, sec. 2, p. 907; am. 2024, ch. 252, sec. 1, p. 887.]