State v. Nikkel

NEUMAN, Justice.

This appeal by defendant, Terry Nikkei, challenges his conviction of operating while intoxicated in violation of Iowa Code section 321 J.2 (1997). His conviction rests on a pleading captioned “Petition to Stipulate to a Finding of Guilt.” This hybridization of a guilty plea and bench trial is nowhere authorized by rule or statute. We therefore reverse and remand for further proceedings.

I. Following his arrest and arraignment on the charge of drunk driving, Nikkei filed a motion to suppress. His motion alleged,that he was unlawfully denied the assistance of counsel before…