“There are two aspects of our analysis. The first is constitutional analysis of the limits on a state’s power to impose recidivist penalties on the basis of uncounseled convictions. The second is a more familiar judicial analysis of what constitutes good cause for collateral relief from an earlier judgment of conviction.
We hold that with the exception that a prior DWI conviction that was uncounseled in violation of court policy may not be used to increase a defendant’s loss of liberty, there is no constitutional impediment to the use of the prior uncounseled DWI conviction to establish repeat-offender status under DWI laws. With respect to collateral consequences of an uncounseled conviction other than a loss of liberty, any relief to be afforded should follow our usual principles for affording post-conviction relief from criminal judgments, namely, a showing of a denial of fundamental justice or other miscarriage of justice.”
This decision has been used by defense attorneys throughout the state. It is a common practice by defense attorneys to analyze a client’s prior DUI convictions when he/she is facing a second or third charge. Laurick relief is just one of many ways to minimize the harsh potential penalties for multiple DUI offenders.