State ex rel. Romley v. Superior Court

OPINION

McGREGOR, Judge.

The issue in this case is whether a defendant charged with aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor is entitled to a bifurcated trial at which the state must first establish that he drove under the influence of liquor before being permitted to present evidence that his driver’s license was invalid or restricted. We conclude a bifurcated trial is inappropriate.

I

The state charged Dean Henry Begody and Fidel Jimenez Borunda (defendants) *469with aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquors or drugs (DUI). The state alleged…