{"id":819,"date":"2012-08-09T19:56:41","date_gmt":"2012-08-09T19:56:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vtjuryinstructions.org\/?page_id=819"},"modified":"2026-02-13T20:07:28","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T20:07:28","slug":"dui-substantive-charges","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vtjuryinstructions.org\/?page_id=819","title":{"rendered":"DUI: Substantive Charges"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul>\n<li>CR30-051.\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.vtjuryinstructions.org\/criminal\/MS30-051.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DUI: Alcohol Concentration of .08 or more<\/a>, 23 V.S.A. \u00a7 1201(a)(1) (05\/24\/23)<\/li>\n<li>CR30-101.\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.vtjuryinstructions.org\/criminal\/MS30-101.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DUI: Under Influence of Alcohol<\/a>, 23 V.S.A. \u00a7 1201(a)(2) (05\/24\/23)<\/li>\n<li>CR30-151.\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.vtjuryinstructions.org\/criminal\/MS30-151.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DUI:\u00a0 Under Influence of Drugs or Combination<\/a>, 23 V.S.A. \u00a7 1201(a)(3) (02\/13\/26)<\/li>\n<li>CR30-181.\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.vtjuryinstructions.org\/criminal\/MS30-181.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DUI: Refusal to Take Evidentiary Test<\/a>, 23 V.S.A. \u00a7 1201(b) (05\/24\/23)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Serious Bodily Injury<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CR30-056. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.vtjuryinstructions.org\/criminal\/MS30-056.htm\">DUI: Alcohol Concentration of .08 or more<\/a> (serious bodily injury), 23 V.S.A. \u00a7\u00a7 1201(a)(1) and 1210(g) (05\/24\/23)<\/li>\n<li>CR30-106. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.vtjuryinstructions.org\/criminal\/MS30-106.htm\">DUI: Under Influence of Alcohol<\/a> (serious bodily injury), 23 V.S.A. \u00a7\u00a7 1201(a)(2) and 1210(g) (05\/24\/23)<\/li>\n<li>CR30-156. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.vtjuryinstructions.org\/criminal\/MS30-156.htm\">DUI:\u00a0 Under Influence of Drugs or Combination<\/a> (serious bodily injury), 23 V.S.A. \u00a7\u00a7 1201(a)(3) and 1210(g) (02\/13\/26)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Death Resulting<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CR30-061. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.vtjuryinstructions.org\/criminal\/MS30-061.htm\">DUI: Alcohol Concentration of .08 or more<\/a> (death resulting), 23 V.S.A. \u00a7\u00a7 1201(a)(1) and 1210(f) (05\/24\/23)<\/li>\n<li>CR30-111. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.vtjuryinstructions.org\/criminal\/MS30-111.htm\">DUI: Under Influence of Alcohol<\/a> (death resulting), 23 V.S.A. \u00a7\u00a7 1201(a)(2) and 1210(f) (05\/24\/23)<\/li>\n<li>CR30-161. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.vtjuryinstructions.org\/criminal\/MS30-161.htm\">DUI:\u00a0 Under Influence of Drugs or Combination<\/a> (death resulting), 23 V.S.A. \u00a7\u00a7 1201(a)(3) and 1210(f) (02\/13\/26)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Reporter&#8217;s Note<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Under Influence of Alcohol<\/strong>.\u00a0DUI has been heavily litigated over many years.\u00a0 Although DUI law continues to evolve, the basic elements of DUI under 23 V.S.A. \u00a7 1201(a)(2) are well established.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The element of operation is defined broadly under 23 V.S.A. \u00a7 4(24).\u00a0 Operation may consist of turning the ignition switch, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">State v. Storrs<\/span>, 105 Vt. 180 (1933), sitting behind the steering wheel with the engine running, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">State v. Hedding<\/span>, 122 Vt. 379 (1961), directing the vehicle while it descends a hill by the use of gravity, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">State v. Lansing<\/span>, 108 Vt. 218 (1936), attempting to steer the vehicle while it is being towed, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">State v. Tacey<\/span>, 102 Vt. 439 (1930), or attempting to extricate the vehicle from a ditch, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">State v. Parkhurst<\/span>, 121 Vt. 210 (1959).\u00a0 The element of operation may be established by the defendant\u2019s admission that he or she had been driving, together with the officer\u2019s observation of the defendant behind the steering wheel.\u00a0 <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">State v. Constantine<\/span>, 148 Vt. 629 (1987).\u00a0 In the DUI context, a charge of \u201cattempting to operate a motor vehicle\u201d means essentially the same thing as \u201coperating a motor vehicle.\u201d\u00a0 <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">State v. Parker<\/span>, 123Vt. 369, 371-72 (1963).<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">A defendant may be found to have been in actual physical control of a motor vehicle on a highway if the defendant had the potential to operate the vehicle; an \u201cimmediate potential\u201d to operate the vehicle is not required.\u00a0 <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">State v. Stevens<\/span>, 154 Vt. 614 (1990).\u00a0 A defendant may be found to have been in \u201cactual physical control\u201d even if he or she only intended to roll up the car windows.\u00a0 <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">State v. Kelton<\/span>, 168 Vt. 629 (1998).\u00a0 A defendant also may be in \u201cactual physical control\u201d despite being asleep or unconscious.\u00a0 <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">State v. Blaine<\/span>, 148 Vt. 272 (1987); <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">State v. Trucott<\/span>, 145 Vt. 274 (1984); <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">State v. Godfrey<\/span>, 137 Vt. 159 (1979).\u00a0 The defendant need not have been inside the vehicle and behind the steering wheel.\u00a0 <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">State v. Stevens<\/span>, 154 Vt. 614 (1990).\u00a0\u00a0 Moreover, conviction of being in actual physical control does not require a demonstration that the defendant\u2019s vehicle was fully operable.\u00a0 <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">State v. Garber<\/span>, 156Vt. 637 (1991).<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cMotor vehicle\u201d is defined in 23 V.S.A. \u00a7 4(21), as modified by 23 V.S.A. \u00a7 1200(6).\u00a0 The model instruction contains virtually all of the language deriving from \u00a7 4(21), but the exceptions are bracketed because they will not be relevant in the usual case involving an automobile or truck.\u00a0 In unusual cases it may be necessary to modify the instruction by reference to \u00a7 1200(6) or other statutes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cHighway\u201d is defined in 23 V.S.A. \u00a7 4(13), as modified by 23 V.S.A. \u00a7 1200(7).\u00a0 Here, too, the model instruction contains most of the statutory language, but some of the words are bracketed because they will not be relevant in the usual case.\u00a0 In some cases it may be necessary to modify the instruction by reference to \u00a7 1200(7) or other statutes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u201cAlcohol\u201d is defined in 23 V.S.A. \u00a7 1200(4) to include \u201calcohol, malt beverages, spirits, fortified wines, and vinous beverages, as defined in 7 V.S.A. \u00a7 2, and any beverage or liquid containing any of them. The model instruction is more succinct than the statutory definition, and defines \u201calcohol\u201d to \u201cinclude[] liquor, beer, wine, or any combination of those beverages.\u201d\u00a0 If it becomes necessary to further define \u201calcohol,\u201d see 7 V.S.A. \u00a7 2. Note that the statute previously used the term \u201cintoxicating liquor\u201d until the Legislature substituted the word \u201calcohol\u201d in a 2017 amendment. 2017, No. 83, \u00a7 153.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The instruction on the meaning of \u201cunder the influence of alcohol\u201d (formerly \u201cintoxicating liquor\u201d) derives from <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">State v. Storrs<\/span>, 105 Vt. 180 (1933), and its progeny.\u00a0 See notes to instruction CR30-031.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Under Influence of Drugs or Combination<\/strong>.\u00a0 In comparison to 23 V.S.A. \u00a7 1201(a)(2), there have been relatively few cases interpreting \u00a7 1201(a)(3), the charge of operating under the influence of a drug other than alcohol, or under the combined influence of alcohol and another drug.\u00a0 The most significant difference is that, under \u00a7 1201(a)(3), the connection between the impairment and the influence of any drug must be proven by expert testimony.\u00a0 This difference is explained in <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">State v. Rifkin<\/span>, 140 Vt. 472 (1981).\u00a0 Also see the cited cases, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">State v. Tiernan<\/span>, 302 A.2d 561 (N.J. County Court 1973), and <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Smithhart v. State<\/span>, 503 S.W.2d 283 (Texas Crim. App. 1973).\u00a0 A later New Jersey case concluded that it is not always necessary to identify the drug.\u00a0 <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">State v. Tamburro<\/span>, 346 A.2d 401 (1975).<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Serious Bodily Injury and Death Resulting<\/strong>. The causation instruction is from <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">State v. Sullivan<\/span>, where the Court affirmed the trial court\u2019s causation instruction on DUI-death resulting. 2017 VT 24, \u00b6\u00b6 12\u201323, 204 Vt. 328. In construing 23 V.S.A. \u00a7 1210(f)(1), the Court observed that \u201c[w]here the statute involves a specified result that is caused by conduct, it must be shown, as a minimal requirement, that the accused\u2019s conduct was an antecedent \u2018but for\u2019 which the result in question would not have occurred.\u201d <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Sullivan<\/span>, 2017 VT 24, \u00b6 19 (citing 1 Wharton\u2019s Criminal Law \u00a7 26 (15th ed. 2016)). So, in a prosecution for DUI-death resulting,<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify; padding-left: 60px;\">a jury instruction . . . must require findings that: (1) the defendant operated a vehicle on a highway; (2) he or she did so while under the influence of intoxicating liquor; and (3) his or her intoxication while operating the vehicle caused the victim\u2019s death. A mere violation of \u00a71201, standing alone, is insufficient to meet the requirement that the death <em>result from<\/em> the violation of the statute.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Id<\/span>. \u00b6 19 (emphasis in original).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CR30-051.\u00a0 DUI: Alcohol Concentration of .08 or more, 23 V.S.A. \u00a7 1201(a)(1) (05\/24\/23) CR30-101.\u00a0 DUI: Under Influence of Alcohol, 23 V.S.A. \u00a7 1201(a)(2) (05\/24\/23) CR30-151.\u00a0 DUI:\u00a0 Under Influence of Drugs or Combination, 23 V.S.A. \u00a7 1201(a)(3) (02\/13\/26) CR30-181.\u00a0 DUI: Refusal &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/vtjuryinstructions.org\/?page_id=819\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":492,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-819","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vtjuryinstructions.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/819","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vtjuryinstructions.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vtjuryinstructions.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vtjuryinstructions.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vtjuryinstructions.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=819"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/vtjuryinstructions.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/819\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1854,"href":"https:\/\/vtjuryinstructions.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/819\/revisions\/1854"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vtjuryinstructions.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/492"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vtjuryinstructions.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=819"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}