State v. Dove

Defendant appeals from the denial of a motion to withdraw a nolo contendere plea after he received an eight- to fifteen-year sentence for the crime of careless and negligent driving with serious injury resulting. 23 V.S.A. § 1091(c). Defendant contends that because his sentence was statistically unprecedented, his plea was not knowing, voluntary, and intelligent, and his sentence violated the proportionality clause of Chapter II, § 39 of the Vermont Constitution. Defendant further contends that his sentence was based on his status as a drug addict and that the district court abused its…