Pananen v. State

OPINION

BRYNER, Chief Judge.

After entering a plea of no contest, Donald Pananen was convicted of two counts of driving while intoxicated (DWI). AS 28.35.030. Before sentencing, the state informed the court that Pananen had two prior DWI convictions in Wisconsin. However, Pananen asserted that one of the two convictions could not properly be considered for sentencing purposes because he had not been afforded the right to counsel prior to conviction. District Court Judge Jane F. Kauvar upheld both Wisconsin convictions and, on this basis, sentenced Pa-nanen as a third DWI offender. Pananen…