48 + 0 = 48
State v. Otani (ICA
February 28, 2019)
Background. Suzanne Satomi Chin-Yin Otani was convicted
of one count of operating a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant;
better known as DUI. At her sentencing, Otani argued that she serve no jail despite
the fact that at the time of the offense a minor was a passenger in the
vehicle. This fact, countered the prosecution, triggered a mandatory 48 hours
jail pursuant to the DUI statute. The district court agreed with the prosecution
and imposed 48 hours jail. Otani appealed.
The
OUI Statute’s Enhancements. The OUI statute
contains an enhancement at sentencing:
In addition to a sentence imposed under
paragraphs (1) through (3), any person eighteen years of age or older who is
convicted under this section and who operated a vehicle with a passenger, in or
on the vehicle, who was younger than fifteen years of age, shall be sentenced
to an additional mandatory fine of $500 and an additional mandatory term of
imprisonment of forty-eight hours[.]
HRS § 291E-61(b)(4).
Otani argued that the district court
did not impose any jail and, therefore, this provision did not apply. Otani’s
argument focused on the phrase “in addition to.” The ICA disagreed.
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